In what way and to what extent did constitutional and social developments from 1860-1877 amount to a revolution? (1996 DBQ question).

The United States was in a very turbulent time period between 1860 and 1877. Those dates saw the Civil War cast its horrendous shadow over America, as well as the rise and fall of Reconstruction. Changes that occurred during this time period are staggering, to say the least. Developments in both constitutional and social areas from 1860 to 1877 can be considered to have been a revolution. The Civil War was, obviously, the first revolution that occurred during this …

…had to protect life and property with such action. Military occupation of the South is another example of revolutionary action. Constitutional and social developments of this time period, 1860-1877, were very significant and revolutionary. One change led to another and each reaction to each change seemed revolutionary. Constitutional developments often led to novel social developments and vice versa. This is a period of time that profoundly changed the course of history as we know it.