Florida’s Reconstruction: 1865-1877

This course examines the complex period of Reconstruction in Florida following the Civil War. It explores the transition from a slave-based society to a new social and economic order, covering the role of the Freedmen's Bureau, the impact of military rule, and the political battles between Radical Republicans and Conservative Democrats. You will analyze the 1868 Florida Constitution, the expansion of civil rights, and the rise of organized resistance. The program also investigates the controversial 1876 election and the Compromise of 1877, providing a factual overview of how these twelve years redefined the state's legal and social framework.