One effect of Reconstruction after the Civil War was the improvement of opportunities and rights for the African American population in the U.S. Albeit a slow process, at least there was a beginning to enable the population as a whole to really address some of the horrible effects of slavery. The South rejoined the Union and slowly made progress back to normalcy. Many consider Reconstruction a failure because the changes desired were not as quick to come about.
Steam-driven ships allowed Europeans to reach distant Asian, African, and Pacific ports more quickly and predictably and to penetrate interior rivers as well.
