David, perhaps one of the central problems with Reconstruction is that it didn't have a Douglas MacArthur in charge. Can you imagine how differently things might have turned out?

William Manchester's bio of MacArthur (American Caesar) calls him, with his IQ approaching 200, unquestionably the most talented and intelligent man ever to wear the uniform of the United States. Well, that's his opinion and who knows, he might even be right? (My opinion: if MacA was the American Caesar, surely Benedict Arnold was the American Macbeth!)

But you are comparing mid-20th century sensibilities with previous eras? And how did the anti-North political bias running rampant in Europe play into all this? Even with all its problems, the occupation of the South, and Reconstruction, was no Nanking or Lidice.

Then, as now, I think the criticism of the conduct of the war may have been motivated more by politics critical of the Lincoln admin (European business as usual) and less by humanitarian issues . But I'm willing to consider alternative views....