What was the main intention of the Reconstruction era?

The main intention of the Reconstruction era was to rebuild and integrate the Southern states post-Civil War. After the Civil War, the United States faced the significant challenge of reintegrating the Southern states that had seceded and were devastated by the conflict. The Reconstruction era aimed to address the political, social, and economic upheaval caused by the war and to begin the process of healing the nation.

The federal government implemented various policies to ensure the South's reintegration, which included creating new laws and amendments that aimed to protect the rights of newly freed slaves. The Reconstruction Acts set the framework for re-establishing state governments in the South, ensuring that they were operated under the principles of the Union and promoting civil rights for African Americans. This involved a significant amount of federal oversight, military presence, and reforms in Southern society.

This historical context highlights why the focus was on rebuilding and integrating, with little emphasis placed on colonization of territories, land grants, or trade agreements within the scope of Reconstruction.