What event marks the start of Congressional Reconstruction?

The start of Congressional Reconstruction is best marked by the return of Confederate officials, as this event highlighted the need for a new approach to the Reconstruction process. After the Civil War, there was a concern among many members of Congress about the reintegration of Southern states and their leaders back into the Union. The arrival of former Confederate officials in Congress raised alarm that these individuals, who had fought against the Union, might undermine the goals of Reconstruction and potentially reinstate old power structures that had supported slavery.

This situation prompted a more radical reaction from Congress, leading to the implementation of Congressional Reconstruction, which sought to impose stricter regulations on the Southern states before they could rejoin the Union fully and ensure civil rights for newly freed African Americans. The passage of the 13th and 14th Amendments was part of this broader context, but the pivotal moment that prompted the shift to a more robust Congressional response was indeed the return of Confederate officials, making it a significant event in the narrative of Reconstruction.