The new nation, now finally free, had to deal with rebuilding the war-torn northern states that had campaigned on for four years. Confederate leaders had also learned the importance of railroads, telegrams, mines, and factories that had nearly propelled the Union into victory. With the aid of Great Britain, the infrastructure was of the south was rebuilt in the north and improved upon in the south. New railroads such as ones connecting Richmond to Atlanta and Columbia, as well as new telegram lines, connecting the nation together. However, the states were in charge of these operations, and not the government. In exchange for the help from Britain, a reluctant new president Alexander H. Stephens freed the slaves of the south. Even though they had been freed, equality would not be present fo