Hello! My name is Camden Merritt, I am a Senior here at Keene State College majoring in History. I am from Greenwich, Connecticut, where I discovered my love of history, specifically American, from my Grandfather and past history teachers. My interests in history focus mainly on the 1960s including the Civil Rights Movement, The Vietnam War, and the Counterculture Movement. I am excited to delve deeper into the history of the Civil War. After taking a few classes on it I want to expand my understanding of the topic, as most of my studies have been focused on the 20th-century history of the United States. 

For my research project, I would like to examine the similarities and differences between the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. 100 years after the Civil War, the United States faced similar issues to Reconstruction. The policies, legislation, and cultural aspects mimic each other in their attitude towards people of color and the restrictions placed on them within the country. Today, race and human rights are still prominent issues in our society, allowing for more opportunities to learn from the past and rectify our shortcomings.