Which best describes how reconstruction affected southern blacks? reconstruction resulted in positive changes in all aspects of southern blacks' lives, including politics, education, and escaping poverty. reconstruction did not affect southern blacks directly because it was aimed at reconstructing state governments, where blacks had no vote. reconstruction afforded blacks freedom and voting rights, but also created an interracial struggle that often erupted in violence against blacks. reconstruction affected blacks by reversing their access to education and political equality, and restricting access to economic benefit. reconstruction affected blacks by creating an atmosphere in which southerners felt that blacks would outpace them in education and economics.