The Reconstruction of a Nation

The Reconstruction of a Nation, an epic verse poem, includes the forty years that led up to the War, those organizations, politics and cultures that brought on this tragedy. It tells the story of the events that led to the Southern states succeeding, feeling they had no choice. It then begins the War, itself. It details all of the major battles, by year. The story is told of the civilian population on each side. The undercurrent of politics on both sides, and what effects they had on the war effort are addressed. Women involved in the war effort from both sides, had contributions to make and made them, as roles were often reversed, and there was no choice, but to survive. And several women became significant, on each side, acting as spies.
The War came about so suddenly, neither side knew what to do with prisoners. More prisons were constructed than had ever been before. And prisoners were treated equally, extremely poorly. Newspapers became the social media of the day, with Mathew Brady publishing battle scene pictures shocking the public, while loved ones, for the first time, were able to follow their relatives through battles.
Finally, after Sherman burned his way to the sea, the War came to a close. Then the North laid the plans for the reconstruction of a defeated nation. The poem explains the events that led to how and why Reconstruction was so bad for the people of the beaten South.