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Reconstruction & its Aftermath

This text explores the aftermath of the Reconstruction era in the southern United States, focusing on the emergence of new groups such as African Americans in government, Scalawags, Carpetbaggers, and the resistance they faced. It also delves into the violence perpetrated by groups like the Ku Klux Klan and efforts to combat such acts. Despite challenges, improvements in education and public schools for both races were observed during this transformative period. The struggles and progress of African Americans in acquiring land through sharecropping are also discussed.

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Reconstruction & its Aftermath

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  1. Reconstruction & its Aftermath The South During Reconstruction

  2. New Groups Take Charge:African Americans in Government • Republican Party dominated southern politics • b/c AA’s could vote & now run 4 office • Lots of states where more former slaves than former slave-owners • Never controlled the gov’t but… • held important positions in it • Nat’l Level- 16 AA’s served in H of Reps & 2 in the Senate b/t 1869-1880 • Hiram Revels- AA Senator • Ordained minister; recruited 4 Union Army, started school in St. Louis4 AA’s, elected to Senate in 1870 by Missouri • Blanche K. Bruce- AA Senator • Former runaway; became teacher in Missouri, 1869 became Superintendent in Mississippi, elected to Senate in 1874

  3. New Groups Take Charge: Scalawags & Carpetbaggers • Scalawags- • Means… scoundrel, or worthless rascal • Southern whites supported Rep. policies • Most were non-slave-holding farmers or business owners • Opposed secession in 1st place • Former rebels hated them 4 siding w/ Repubs • Carpetbaggers- • N whites who moved to South after war • Also sided w/ Repubs • Served as leaders of Repubs in South • Called this cuz arrived w/ all stuff in cheap suitcases made of carpet fabric • Some there just 4 $$$ & take advantage of situation • Most were former Union soldiers looking 4 land, members of Freedmen’s Bureau, or N reformers hoping to help (lawyers, drs, teachers) • Many in south accused both groups of leading corrupt new gov’t

  4. New Groups Take Charge: Resistance to Reconstruction • Most Southern whites hated idea of giving rts to AA’s • Plantation owners tried 2 control AA’s any way they could • Many told AA’s couldn’t leave plantation; still property • No one would rent land to them • Store owners refused to serve them • Refused to give them work • Used fear to keep them in line

  5. New Groups Take Charge: The Ku Klux Klan • Violence was common to AA’s & anyone who supported them • Most done by secret societies trying to stop AA’s from exercising their rts • Hoped to regain white power • Worst was KKK • Formed in 1866 • Launched midnight rides • Burned homes, churches, schools • Killed many AA’s & supporters… • Murdering 1,000’s!!! • Violence higher during election time; try to scare AA’s from voting 4 change • KKK had support of many in South, esp. planters & Dems • Justified actions as defense of their way of life

  6. New Groups Take Charge: Taking Action Against Violence • Those opposed to terrorism begged federal gov’t 4 help • 1870-1871… • Pass laws 2 try 2 stop Klan • Little 2 no success • Most refused to testify against them b/c … • fear they were next or • they supported it • Enough arrests were made 2 restore some order b4 the 1872 presidential election

  7. Some Improvements • Despite the violence… • Reconstruction brought change • Esp. in education 4 both races • AA’s saw it as step toward better life • Created own schools • Freedmen’s Bureau & charities played major role in spreading education • N women and freed AA’s came to teach • By 1870- 4,000 schools established w/ 200,000 students • More than ½ teachers were AA’s

  8. Some Improvements:Public Schools • 1870’s- began creating public school systems 4 both races • Never existed b4!!! • Enrollment… • 50% of white children • 40% of AA children • Northern Missionary Societies • est academies 4 higher education 4 AA’s • Some become colleges & universities • Morehouse College, Atlanta U • Most kids went to segregated schools • Only LA, FL, SC required integration, but laws not enforced

  9. Some Improvements:Farming the Land • AA’s also wanted land • Some got it from Freedmen’s Bureau • Most failed 2 get own land • Only option was sharecropping, where land was rented & tools, seeds, maybe even a shack 2 live in was given in exchange 4 percentage of harvest • After paying percentage… • Very little left 2 sell • Barely enough 2 feed family • To most… • This was barely better than slavery

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