What does "Reconstruction" primarily refer to in U.S. history?

"Reconstruction" primarily refers to the period after the Civil War aimed at rebuilding the South. This era, which lasted from approximately 1865 to 1877, was characterized by efforts to reintegrate the Southern states that had seceded from the Union and to redefine the status of the formerly enslaved African Americans. The federal government implemented various policies to address the challenges of incorporating millions of newly freed individuals into society while also rebuilding the war-torn Southern economy and infrastructure.

Reconstruction included significant legislation, such as the Reconstruction Acts and the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which collectively aimed to abolish slavery, grant citizenship rights, and protect voting rights for African Americans. This period was also marked by resistance, including the rise of white supremacist groups and the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which undermined many of the advancements made during Reconstruction.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the essence of "Reconstruction." The period before the Civil War was focused on issues like slavery and states' rights, British rule in America is unrelated to the timeline of U.S. history described, and the formation of the Confederacy was a precursor to the Civil War rather than a