Why was reconstruction a significant period for black empowerment

Reconstruction was a chance for ex-slaves and black sharecroppers to gain leverage over their newfound freedom following the Civil War. The period gave black people a chance to prove that they could contribute to the economy in a prosperous manner and build their own legacy as a community to contest the history of oppression suffered by their ancestors.

i confess that there are several parts of this constitution which i do not at present approve, but i am not sure i shall never approve them: for having lived long, i have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which i once thought right, but found to be otherwise. it is therefore that the older i grow, the more apt i am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.

the answer is 1.. i think