What makes the Reconstruction era significant in United States history?

Discussion Board Question: What makes the Reconstruction era significant in United States history? Was Reconstruction a noble experiment that failed, a vengeful Northern punishment of the South, a weak effort that did not go far enough, or the best that could have been expected under the circumstances? What has been the historical legacy of Reconstruction? Pick a few examples to make your point and explaining WHY, being sure to support your answer with facts (including citations—of course).

•  *** approximately 300-500 words in length. Response must be in a thoughtful and in-depth way.
• ***Please use provided sources and insert citations***
• ***Class textbook for Bos Mas 1&2:  Shi, D. America, The Essential Learning Edition with Access Code. 2nd edition. 2018 W. W. Norton & Co.
• *** https://d1lexza0zk46za.cloudfront.net/history/am-docs/failure-of-reconstruction.pdf
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/challenges-of-reconstruction.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/challenges-of-reconstruction.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/shifting-reconstruction-policies.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/shifting-reconstruction-policies.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/radical-reconstruction.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/radical-reconstruction.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/the-north-helps-the-south-rebuild.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/the-north-helps-the-south-rebuild.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/end-of-reconstruction.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/end-of-reconstruction.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction-women-and-the-vote.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction-women-and-the-vote.srt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction-and-the-nations-future.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/reconstruction-and-the-nations-future.vtt
• *** https://util.wwnorton.com/jwplayer?type=video&msrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/white-and-black-southerners-attitudes-towards-reconstruction.mp4&csrc=/wwnorton.college.public/history/amnar/white-and-black-southerners-attitudes-towards-reconstruction.vtt