ABSTRACT
The North's military victory over the South ensured the survival of the American Republic but, as persistent sectional bitterness over Reconstruction indicated, it hardly guaranteed the existence of a strong and healthy nation. The evolving process of nation building begun during the Revolution was not over yet. Indeed, it would not reach a point of maturity until the turn of the century. However, the eventful twelve years spanning the death of Abraham Lincoln and the inauguration of President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877 laid the groundwork for future greatness.
