This learning resource focuses on the examination of the physical evidence of destruction in Richmond, Virginia, following the Civil War in 1865. It encourages students to analyze photographs of the devastated city, identifying what buildings and infrastructure remain standing and what has been destroyed. Students are prompted to think critically about the implications of this destruction on the economy of the South at the time, considering aspects such as money, businesses, and jobs. The resource also includes key vocabulary related to the Reconstruction period, emphasizing the significance of rebuilding the South and addressing the challenges faced by newly freed individuals. Ultimately, it invites students to explore the broader consequences of this devastation on post-war society, including the impact on infrastructure and the lives of millions of freedmen as they sought to establish new lives in a broken region.