The Radical Republicans' harsh policies toward the South, such as the Freedmen's Bureau and the Reconstruction Acts, caused resentment and resistance among white Southerners. A more lenient approach, such as President Andrew Johnson's plan, might have been more successful in reconciling the North and the South.
Greater economic assistance to the South
The South was devastated by the Civil War, and it needed significant economic assistance to rebuild its infrastructure and economy. The federal government provided some aid, but it was not enough to meet the needs of the region. More generous assistance could have helped the South recover more quickly and prevented the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.
More effective enforcement of civil rights
The Reconstruction Amendments granted African Americans civil rights, but these rights were often not enforced. The federal government could have done more to protect the rights of African Americans, such as by sending federal troops to the South to enforce the law.
Greater participation by African Americans in politics
African Americans were largely excluded from politics during Reconstruction. The federal government could have encouraged African Americans to participate in politics by, for example, requiring Southern states to hold fair and open elections.
A longer Reconstruction period
Reconstruction lasted for only 12 years, and the South was not fully reconstructed by the end of that period. A longer Reconstruction period would have allowed the South more time to recover and to make progress on civil rights.