The term Reconstruction Era, in the context of the history of the United States, has two senses: the first covers the complete history of the entire country from 1865 to 1877 following the American Civil War (1861 to 1865); the second sense focuses on the attempted transformation of the Southern United States from 1863 to 1877, as directed by Congress, with the reconstruction of state and society. With the three Reconstruction Amendments, the era saw the first amendments to the U.S. Constitution in decades. 

Three visions of Civil War memory appeared during Reconstruction: the reconciliationist vision, which was rooted in coping with the death and devastation the war had brought; the white supremacist vision, which included terror and violence; and the emancipationist vision, which sought full freedom, citizenship and Constitutional equality for African Americans. 

Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson both took moderate positions designed to bring the South back into the union as quickly as possible, while Radical Republicans in Congress sought stronger measures to upgrade the rights of African Americans, including the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, while curtailing the rights of former Confederates, such as through the provisions of the Wade–Davis Bill. Johnson followed a lenient policy toward ex-Confederates. Lincoln's last speeches show that he was leaning toward supporting the enfranchisement of all freedmen, whereas Johnson was opposed to this.
How many ways did we look at the Reconstruction Era?
What years does the first one span?
What event preceded this?
When was that?
How much of the country does this version cover?
What part does the other version concern?
What years?
Who was trying change the south?
What did they use?
How many?
What were they amending?
How long had it been since it was amended?
What kind of position did Lincoln have?
What did he want to reunite?
With what?
How fast?
Who shared this idea?
What did Congress want to do for African Americans?
What was one amendment that would do that?
What bill was about former Confederates?
two
The term Reconstruction Era, in the context of the history of the United States, has two senses:
1865-1877
 the first covers the complete history of the entire country from 1865 to 1877
American Civil War
following the American Civil War 
1861 to 1865
1861 to 1865
the entire country
the first covers the complete history of the entire country
the attempted transformation of the Southern United States
he second sense focuses on the attempted transformation of the Southern United States
1863-1877
 the second sense focuses on the attempted transformation of the Southern United States from 1863 to 1877
Congress
, as directed by Congress, with the reconstruction of state and society. 
Reconstruction Amendments
With the three Reconstruction Amendments,
three
three Reconstruction Amendments,
the U.S. Constitution
first amendments to the U.S. Constitution in decades. 
in decades
 the first amendments to the U.S. Constitution in decades. 
moderate
Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson both took moderate positions
the union
Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson both took moderate positions designed to bring the South back into the union as quickly as possible,
the South
 to bring the South back into the union as quickly as possible, 
as quickly as possible
to bring the South back into the union as quickly as possible
Andrew Johnson
Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson both took moderate positions
upgrade their rights
Radical Republicans in Congress sought stronger measures to upgrade the rights of African Americans,
Fourteenth Amendment
including the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Wade–Davis Bill
such as through the provisions of the Wade–Davis Bill.