After the costly victory of the Civil War, the Union needs to reunite. The Union needed to readmit the rebellious Southern states into the country. Some Americans wanted to punish the South because of the war. They wanted to brutally reunify the country. Others, seeking a much gentler approach, wanted to reunite the nation in a much more generous way. Both sides of the debate still wanted African Americans to have their freedom. President Abraham Lincoln found the problem difficult to respond to and had a detrimental impact on the United States that would last an eternity. Should the reconstruction plan be based on punishment or reunification? What civil liberties are afforded to newly emancipated African Americans? What Should Happen Throughout history we have seen conflicts escalate as the winner punishes the loser. Usually the loser becomes bitter and reacts with even stronger opposition than the first. We saw these incidents in the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage and in the World Wars. The First Punic War was based on land claims and being the "ruler" of maritime trade. After the defeat of Carthage, Rome forced this country to pay heavy taxes and support little to no army. The Second Punic War soon began because Carthage was enraged by the treatment and torment it had suffered from the Roman Empire. This war was even worse than the first and shook Rome to its core. World War I began with a mix of many causes, but one of the most influential issues was land hunger or imperialism. When Germany lost, it received the same treatment from the world that Carthage received from Rome. In the same case, the Second World War broke out due to the humiliation inflicted on Germany with the peace treaty. As I was saying, we have seen many conflicts escalate due to brutal peace treaties. I realize that even as 13 colonies fought for life, liberty, and justice against overwhelming odds, the South was fighting for its own rights. For these reasons, if I were to create a plan to rebuild the United States, it would be to preserve the Union and end slavery and discrimination in the country forever; do not punish the