The Civil War During both the civil war and civil war reconstruction time periods, there were many changes going on in the Union.  The Emancipation Proclamation, as well as legislation such as the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, was causing a new awakening of democracy; while the renouncing of secession by the South marked a definite triumph for Nationalism.  As well, the government was involved in altercations of its own.  During reconstruction, the legislative and executive branches eventually came to blows over the use of power.  The nation was being altered by forces which caused, and later repaired, a broken Union. The first of these