The main reason why the military was dispatched to Southern states during Reconstruction was to help ensure that the Reconstruction Acts, which aimed to rebuild the South and protect the rights of newly freed African Americans, were being followed. The military was given the task of ensuring that Southern states complied with the new laws and implemented the necessary political and social reforms. This was done to prevent the Southern states from reverting back to their pre-Civil War ways, which included the disenfranchisement and mistreatment of African Americans. The military's presence also helped to maintain order and prevent violence against African Americans who were exercising their newfound rights.
