To what extent was the Reconstruction period a success with respect to black Americans?

The Reconstruction period was not as successful as most people think it was with regards to African Americans. Though some factors may be seen as more successful then others, but overall the Reconstruction period (with respect to African Americans) was very unsuccessful. In 1865 legislators ratified the 13th Amendment. With this step taken forward to civility, white southern Americans released their most precious piece of property, their slaves. Though former slaves, better known as freedmen were …

…subdued through such activities of clans as the KKK and the Knights if the White Camelia. Their activities dealt mostly with scaring the wits out of poor sharecropper families from voting and often lynching a person or four here and there. What everything boils down to is this: the Reconstruction most probably hurt African Americans more than did any good, obviously concerning with the most important points, equal protection of laws and segregation and voting.