To what extent did developments between 1860 and 1877 amount to a revolution?

As is often the case with "to what extent" questions, the
answer to this is "to some extent."   In other words, the developments that happened
between 1860 and 1877 were a revolution in some ways, but not in other
ways.

The major way in which the events of this era were a
revolution is in the area of federalism.  Before the Civil War, states had more rights. 
Most notably, of course, they had the right to decide on whether to have slaves.  The
Civil War and the Civil War Amendments ended slavery and also forced the states to give
up some of their "rights."  For example, the 14th Amendment said that the states had to
treat all their citizens equally.

However, the events of
this time did not really constitute a revolution in terms of the rights of African
Americans.  Of course, they were freed from slavery and that was a huge change.  On the
other hand, the end of Recontruction saw blacks returned to a subordinate position both
economically and socially.  This meant that the end of slavery was not as revolutionary
as it might otherwise have been.