What was the primary goal of Thaddeus Stevens during the Reconstruction era?

Thaddeus Stevens was a prominent leader of the Radical Republicans during the Reconstruction era, and his primary goal was to secure rights for African-Americans. He believed that the federal government had a responsibility to ensure that formerly enslaved individuals achieved full citizenship and equality under the law. Stevens advocated for measures such as the Civil Rights Act and the Freedmen's Bureau, both aimed at providing legal protections and assistance to African-Americans in their transition to freedom.

His commitment to civil rights was evident in his push for the 14th and 15th Amendments, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African-American men. Stevens saw these rights as essential to the nation's healing after the Civil War and believed that equality was necessary for the country to move forward united, rather than divided by race.

In contrast to this goal, promoting westward expansion, upholding the Missouri Compromise, and reducing tariffs were not central to Stevens' agenda during Reconstruction. His focus was primarily on addressing the injustices of the past and ensuring a future in which African-Americans could participate fully in American society.