According to the article, Professor Michael Vorenberg, a historian specializing in the Civil War and Reconstruction, tackles the complex issue of when the American Civil War truly ended. While the military surrender at Appomattox is often cited as the definitive end, Vorenberg argues that a more nuanced perspective is necessary, especially considering the political and social upheaval that followed.
He proposes that the war’s conclusion, particularly from a political standpoint, can be linked to the Reconstruction Act of March 1867. This legislation dictated that Southern states would remain under military control until they met specific criteria, including ratifying the 14th Amendment, enfranchising Black men, and preventing former Confederate officials from holding positions of power. Vorenberg suggests that the imposition of these conditions signified a continued struggle over the war’s meaning and its implications for the future of the nation, extending the conflict beyond the battlefield.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/09/25/bbsy-s25.html