According to the document, during Reconstruction African Americans sought autonomy and independence from white control in order to build a new black community centered around family, social organizations, economic independence, and equal rights. They desired integration into the political sphere to achieve equality before the law, which would lead to independence. The document discusses Eric Foner's work "The Meaning of Freedom" and Reconstruction politics.

1. RECONSTRUCTION
PHOTO ESSAY
Ben Gunning, Billy Van Cleve, & Emmy Sprong

2. THESIS: FONER’S “THE
MEANING OF FREEDOM”
 According to Foner, the African American community knew that by
achieving autonomy they would set the groundwork for a new black
community and a better life, centered on stabilizing their families, creating
social organizations (including churches and schools), attempting to obtain
economic independence, and striving for equal rights, all in the face of
conservative white resistance.

3. THESIS: RECONSTRUCTION
POLITICS
African Americans desired integration rather than separation within
the political sphere in order to obtain equality before the law, which—
if achieved—would lead to independence from white control.

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Foner, Eric. “The Meaning of Freedom.” A Short History of Reconstruction. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
1990. 23-27. Print.
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/Pardon.htm
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/Franchise.htm
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/HRRevels.htm
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/NatColoredConv.htm
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/TimeWorksWonders.htm
 http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/ElectioneeringAtTheSouth.htm
 http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/odyssey/archive/05/0501001r.jpg
 http://digital.nypl.org/schomburg/images_aa19/aa19c_info.cfm?