What was one of the key achievements of Radical Reconstruction?

The establishment of public schools in the South was indeed one of the key achievements of Radical Reconstruction. After the Civil War, the Radical Republicans sought to address the educational disparities that were prevalent in the Southern states, particularly for formerly enslaved individuals and their families. This effort was part of a broader initiative to promote civil rights and provide equal opportunities in the post-war society.

During Radical Reconstruction, new state governments were formed, and one of their primary goals was to create systems of public education. This led to the establishment of schools that were accessible to all children, regardless of race, which was a significant step forward in promoting literacy and education in a region that had previously denied these rights to black citizens.

Enacting public school systems helped lay the groundwork for future educational reforms and played a vital role in the social and political integration of African Americans into society. This achievement was part of a larger agenda to rebuild the South and ensure that it would not revert to the old systems of oppression and inequality that had characterized the pre-war era.