Answer:
The Reconstruction era following the Civil War was pivotal in reshaping the United States. It aimed to rebuild the South, establish civil rights for freed slaves, and redefine the country's social, political, and economic landscape. It led to amendments like the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, formally ending slavery, granting citizenship, and voting rights to African Americans. Although it faced opposition and eventually ended in 1877, Reconstruction laid the groundwork for civil rights movements and progress toward racial equality in the future.