Chapter+15+-+Reconstruction+and+the+New+South

H.W - 2 Column Notes pg. 401

__Reconstruction and the New South (Chapter Opener)__
 * The Civil War proved to be one of the most bitter moments in the nations history.
 * Reconstruction was the era in which Americans attempted to reunite the nation following the bloody civil war.
 * This was the first real chance African Americans got in gaining civil rights and economic power.
 * However, AA felt abandoned by the federal government when they were left on their own after being freed from slavery. In reality true equality was not achieved for several more years.
 * For those who remained in the "New South" oppression was nearly unavoidable for the remainder of the 1800s.
 * Nonetheless this was a vital first step for AA to win freedom and equality in the years to come.


 * Thoughts:** Keeping in mind that most of these newly freed slaves had no education and no money, escaping the "New South" was virtually impossible for most AA. A lot of them couldn't even write their own name! They faced much racism in the south and were still looked down on by white southerners. Without the help from the government, the newly freed slaves were free, but their lives had nearly no improvements.

H.W - Read and take notes pg. 402-421

__The Problems of Peacemaking__


 * As the war approached and end in 1865, the government could not decide what to do with the Confederacy.
 * Lincoln could not simply allow the Confederate states to rejoin the Union with no punishment.
 * However if the punishment was too harsh, it would just simply further anger the South and drag on the war.

__The Aftermath of War and Emancipation__


 * The Civil War left the nation in ruins. Everything was destroyed.
 * Because of emancipation, southerners now had no slaves and were left with worthless Confederate war bonds. They were left with almost no personal property and many people faced starvation and homelessness.
 * Over 20% of the adult white population (+258,000 confederate soldiers) died and thousands returned sick/wounded.
 * Confederate war heroes had monuments built after them and were praised almost as religious figures.
 * Things were even worse for the 4 million former slaves.
 * AA also fought in the war, on both sides, but now most of them had nowhere to go.
 * The majority of them didn't own anything but the clothes on their backs.
 * A lot spent months even years trying to find relatives they were separated from and a sense of belonging.
 * The south was is desperate need of help, black and white people.

__Competing Notions of Freedom__


 * Freedom for AA meant an end to slavery, but also obtaining rights and protections to live like white people did.
 * "If i cannot do like a white man, I am not free"
 * Freedom meant different things to different black people.
 * Some demanded economic resources like land, other only asked for equality in order to obtain these economic resources.
 * They all quickly united for independence of white control.
 * They began forming black communities - churches, aid societies, and eventually even schools.
 * For the Whites, Freedom meant controlling their own destinies without northern or gov. interference.
 * The 13th Amendment legally abolished slavery in 1865, but whites pursued a different form of slavery and to keep white supremacy.
 * The Freedman's Bureau was a temporary aid solution to the south's starvation and homeless problem for many blacks.
 * It provided food and education to many former slaves but was only for one year and new plans were being made to help the South rebuild.

__Issues of Reconstruction__


 * Many northerners believed the south should be punished for the pain and suffering they caused with their rebellion.
 * They also believed the South should be rebuilt more like the North.
 * There was controversy and disagreements on how to approach Reconstruction.
 * Conservatives and Radicals argues over punishments what to do about AA and their rights.

__Plans for Reconstruction__


 * Lincoln announced his 10% plan in December 1863.
 * Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee were 3 southern states who accepted Lincoln 10% plan in 1864.
 * By being lenient, Lincoln hoped to obtain some of the Souths loyalty and prevent them from restrengthening.
 * Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill in 1864, their first effort in Reconstruction.
 * Wade-Davis Bill- allowed the president to appoint a governor for each conquered state, they would swear the Ironclad Oath and accept that slavery was abolished in the new state constitutions.
 * Once the new conquered states met these requirements, they would be readmitted into the Union.

__The Death of Lincoln__


 * Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 while attending a play in Washington.
 * Murdered by John Wilkes Booth, as part of a great conspiracy on the South's behalf.
 * Secretary of state was also shot and wounded same night, and Vice president was meant to be murdered as well.
 * 8 men were convicted in taking part in the conspiracy, four were hanged.

__Johnson and Restoration__


 * Johnson was unsuited to be Lincolns successor.
 * Openly hostile towards the free slaves, made no effort for equal rights. "White men alone must manage the South".
 * His plans for Reconstruction or "Restoration" was much like the Wade-Davis Bill.
 * In 1865 all the conquered states were ready to be readmitted into the Union
 * Northerners weren't happy and attitudes towards the South only worsened.


 * Thoughts:** I believe the Civil War was fought for a worthy cause, however, it did have a tremendously negative impact on the nation. With the North's victory and the abolishment of slavery things were suppose to be going in a positive new direction. But with Lincoln's leniency towards the South, the Norths growing hostility, followed by Lincoln's assassination, and finally Johnson becoming president, it all seemed in vain. Yes slavery was abolished but still facing discrimination and inequality in the South conditions for African Americans didn't get better for several more years. Reconstruction was a failure in my opinion but under the circumstances, not much more could of been done differently to change that.

__Radical Reconstruction__


 * Johnson's Reconstruction Plan was known as "presidential Reconstruction"
 * Congress came up with its own Reconstruction plan for the nation in December 1865 as they created a new Joint Committee
 * They refused to seat representatives of the readmitted conquered states thus leading to the beginning of "Congressional" or "Radical" Reconstruction.

__The Black Codes__


 * Discriminating actions in the South only made Northern opinion turn more radical.
 * In 1865 and 1866 state legislature passed laws such as "The Black Codes"
 * It empowered the white men and basically turned former slaves back into slaves.
 * Congress stepped in and extended the life of the Freedmen's Bureau
 * In April 1866 Congress passed the first Civil Rights Act, making AA citizens of the U.S and gave the federal government the power to intervene in state affairs, protecting citizens rights.
 * The president (Johnson) vetoed both bills, but Congress overrode him on both.

__The Fourteenth Amendment__


 * The Fourteenth Amendment defined U.S citizenship for the first time in the Constitution.
 * It stated that "Everyone born in the U.S and everyone naturalized was automatically a citizen of the U.S and guaranteed the privileges and immunities provided by the Constitution.
 * It also prohibited former members of Congress or anyone associated with the Confederacy from holding any state/fed power, unless 2/3 of Congress voted to pardon them.
 * Republicans were now very strong and held most of the nations power, even exceeding the president.
 * Senate; 42R:11D, House; 143R;49D . South remained mostly unrepresented.

__The Impeachment of the President__


 * Johnson was no longer a problem for Congress, they had become more powerful than him by now.
 * However he was still technically the one in charge so radicals attempted to impeach him.
 * They came close in the Senate trial in 1868 but a 35 to 19 vote did not meet the 2/3 majority.
 * After this failed attempt radicals gave up on the impeachment efforts.


 * Thoughts:** I was impressed with Congress' rapid response to the Black Codes. The passing of the 14th Amendment was a giant step forward. Congress was now running the show and passing necessary bills and acts to establish justice for all. However I did not agree with the impeachment effort.

__The South in Reconstruction__


 * Southerners disagreed when looking back at Reconstruction in later years.
 * White Southerners spoke of the corrupt and incompetent government and they're violation of citizens rights.
 * Black Southerners spoke of the gov. not going far enough to to guarantee freedmen even the basic rights of citizenship.
 * The level of government intervention was a topic to be disagreed upon for many more years to come. (post WW2 efforts)

__The Reconsoughtstruction Governments__


 * After suffrage laws passed, black were a majority in voters for most Southern states.
 * After suffrage laws were lifted, Republicans relied on scalawags to maintain control.
 * White men from the North served as Republican leaders in the South - known as carpetbaggers.
 * Freedmen took up majority of politics in the South, despite their inexperience.
 * They took virtually every position for public office and demanded equal rights as the whites, nothing more nothing less.
 * No blacks ever became governor in the South or held state legislatures.
 * Corruption and debt increased in both North and South - Reconstruction was the first step to the future.

__Education__


 * Education drastically improved for both races in the South as a result of Reconstruction.
 * 4,000 schools by 1870, 9,000 teachers (half of them black), and 200,000 students.
 * By 1876 more than half of white children and about 40% of black children were attending school in the South.
 * However these school systems were segregated.
 * Whites went to one school, blacks to another.

__The Crop-Lien System__


 * Postwar years were remarkable economic progress for AA.
 * Per capita income of southern blacks rose 46% between 1867 and 1879.
 * Per capita income of southern whites declined 35%.
 * Historic redistribution of income in American History.
 * However blacks were now working 1/3 less hours than under slavery, not counting women and children were less likely to work in the fields.
 * Crop-lien system put many farmers in debt, a cycle they could not escape.
 * Contributed to a decline in the Southern agricultural economy.

__The African-American Family in Freedom__


 * Family became a top priority to Freedmen as they tried to rebuild their families.
 * Countless went wandering off looking for relatives who they were separated from because of slavery.
 * Black male and female roles began to resemble those of whites.
 * Men worked the fields, women had an important home role, domestically.
 * By the end of Reconstruction half of all black women over 16 were working for wages to help the men, because a second income became a necessity.


 * Thoughts:** Reconstruction in the South was just the beginning. Redistribution of wealth, education, and black holding public office was a great start, but it would still be a long way until equality and fairness was achieved.

__The Grant Administration__


 * Tired of Johnson and the political turmoil he caused in previous years, Americans needed a new leader
 * In 1968 they elected someone who would guide them through Reconstruction
 * War Hero - General Ulysses S. Grant

__The Soldier President__


 * Grant could have run either for the Democrats or the Republicans - he choose Republicans
 * Had no political experience when elected president. (Like many war-heroes)
 * Not fit to rule, relied on party leaders to get things done.
 * Suspicion of corruption arose, Liberal Republicans tried to overthrow Grant in the election of 1872.
 * They failed and Grant was reelected with 286 electoral votes vs. Greely's 66. He also had 56% of the Popular Vote.

__The Grant Scandals__


 * Grant was associated with 2 major scandals as well as numerous small ones.
 * The "Whiskey Ring" and the "Navy Ring"
 * People believed "Grantism" brought corruption to the government.

__The Greenback Question__


 * After the scandals associated with Grant, the nation went into a financial crisis known as the Panic of 1873.
 * The people wanted money (greenbacks) for their war bonds, would increase money in circulation
 * Republicans & Grant wanted a "sound" currency based on gold reserves - benefit the banks
 * Specie Resumption Act - After Jan. 1 1879 greenbacks would be taken and substituted with new currency based on gold.
 * 1875 "greenbackers" made their own PP. National Greenback Party - failed because it couldn't gain widespread support.
 * Money would remain a controversial issue for the remainder of the 19th century.

-Seward Folly bought Alaska from the Russians in 1867 for $7.2 million
 * Thoughts:** It seems Grant was a controversial president to say the least. If after having these two scandals in his first term, why was he re-elected for a second term? He was a war hero, not really a politician. Also how did the money problem become solved after the 1800's?

__The Abandonment of Reconstruction__
 * The north was so occupied with politics and the economy in the North, Reconstruction kind of lost importance.
 * Republicans remained in the South not for the Freedmen, but to prevent a strong new Democratic Party from emerging.
 * After Grant left office, the South had "redeemed" 7/11 former Confederate States.
 * Reconstruction finally ened in 1876/77 with the withdrawal of Republicans from the South with a national compromise.

__The Southern States "Redeemed"__


 * Where whites were a majority in the South, they were taking back control, just needed to reorganize and vote.
 * States with a black majority or nearly equal, whites used intimidation and violence to overthrow the Reconstruction regimes.
 * KKK, Knights of White Camilla used physical violence, and even bar-ed them from voting.
 * Ku Klux Klan formed in 1866 led by former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
 * Had costumes, secret languages, rituals, and "midnite rides" which terrified AA in the South.
 * Thought to be "proud patriotic societies" trying to regain white supremacy and Southern Democratic Party

__Wanning Northern Commitment__


 * Slowly, blacks in the South were loosing their Supporters from the North
 * With the 15th Amendment passing, they believed blacks should organize and fend for themselves.
 * Radicals now called themselves Liberals and joined/formed the Democratic Party.
 * Northerners now adopted Social Darwinism after the Panic of 1873, money became a problem in the North.
 * North stopped funding social services for freed slaves in the South
 * It was clear Republican regimes were on the verge of collapsing by 1876.

__The Compromise of 1877__


 * Grant wanted a third term, but between the scandals and his health he didn't win.
 * New president Rutherford B. Hayes - former Union army officer, governor, and congressman, champion of civil service reform.
 * Extremely close dispute, not solved by EC but by vote from 5 senators, 5 representatives, and five SCJ.
 * Rutherford won 8-7 and became president.
 * Democrats threatened to leak this vote, so in exchange came the Compromise of 1877.
 * Rutherford would remain president, IF the remainder of Federal troops were removed from the South AND an appointment of at least one Southerner to the Hayes cabinet, among other small deals.
 * Allowed South to be re-governed by Whites.


 * Thoughts:** Although some small achievements were made during Reconstruction, for the most part, it was a failure. Progress was slowly being made, but with all the corruption and scandals of the government as well as an economic crisis the 1860s and 1870s was just a time too difficult to be able to make any real improvements. The biggest mistake, i believe, was the Compromise of 1877 which pretty much negated the past 12 years of work and Reconstruction in the South. Would Rutherford have lost the presidency if it got out to the public how the decision was made? Regardless, Reconstruction did set a basis for future generation to rise up and attempt a "Second Reconstruction".

H.W - Read and Take Notes pg. 421-431

__The New South__


 * The Republican Party failed to establish a stable political party in the South, instead the whites in the South established the Democratic party as the ONLY P.O for them.
 * Still the South changed n some of the ways the people from the Compromise of 1877 had hoped.

__The "Redeemers"__


 * After the removal of federal troops in the South, they were now considered "redeemed"
 * The South once again fell under the control of the "Redeemers" / "Bourbons"
 * Redeemers were a new ruling class - merchants industrialists, former planters, ect.
 * Commitment to "home rule" and economic development.
 * Even more corruption than in the Reconstruction era.
 * Several movements arose demanding debt relief and aid. Also sate sponsored projects.

__Industrialization and the "New South"__


 * "New South" promoted industry and progress.
 * Wanted to become more like the north - industry and economically speaking.
 * The White leaders of the South "faced their future with one foot in the past" (text book)
 * Textile manufacturing increased 9X in after reconstruction.
 * Tobacco, iron, and steel also grew tremendously in the South.
 * Railroads and other Southern industries/manufactures didn't even compare to the North's.
 * A lot of employment was given to women, because of male casualties during the war.
 * Conviction-Lease System - criminals working in factories for free. Money went to government.

__African Americans and the New South__


 * AA also managed to achieve success and create a unique middle class. (inferior to white MC but still a MC)
 * Former slaves who managed to acquire property, establish small businesses, or enter professions.
 * Build colleges and based future around education
 * Booker T. Washington became spokesman for AA's in education, success, and economic gain.
 * Claimed AA should strive to be more like the white middle class, then they will be more accepted
 * Focus on industrial education, not classical, and strive for self improvement.
 * The Atlanta Compromise was a famous speech Booker T. gave encouraging blacks to better themselves.
 * Must be prepared for future equality.

__The Birth of Jim Crow Laws__


 * Federal Troops withdrew from the South, federal support nearly vanished, and the supreme court pretty much took away the 14th and 15th Amendments power.
 * SC claimed 14th Amendment prohibited state governments to discriminate against race, but not private organizations or individuals.
 * Legally, railroads, hotels, theaters, ect. could practice segregation.
 * Plessy v. Ferguson - "separate but equal"
 * White elite were afraid poor whites and poor blacks would unite against them
 * In order to keep blacks from voting, whites put in place to wasy to keep them from voting.
 * A pole tax, and a "literacy" / "understanding" test.
 * Also affected poor whites. By 1890s black vote decreased 62% white vote decreased 26%
 * Jim Crow Laws made segregation very clear, widespread, and legal.
 * Lynchings grew significantly in the 1890s. white mobs killed blacks accusing them of crimes or violated "proper station"
 * Organized public hangings for blacks, became rituals.
 * Lynching was a way for whites to control blacks through terror and intimidation.


 * Thoughts:** The "New South" was very much like the old South. They did try to be more like the North and promote industrialization and progress to improve their economies. However the South remained a rural area full of farmers and plantations with clear divisions in social classes. White supremacy became a clear goal and was nearly achieved. The creation of Jim Crow Laws and lynching, to me, was unacceptable and should not have been allowed by the federal government. These are the types of things that made the war in vain and 12 years of Reconstruction virtually disappear. Segregation was brought to its extremes and was perfectly legal. Why did AA not revolt or create a rebellion again these Jim Crow Laws and especially against lynching? And if they did what were they and what was the result?

H.W: Create a Top 10 KT's List & do WHD on pg 418-419

1. Reconstruction: Period following the Civil War, lasted from 1885-1877. Attempt at reuniting and improving the nation after the distruction and chaos left by the Civil war. Now striving for social and economic equality.

2. Compromise of 1877: Agreement between Republican and Democratic leaders to allow Rutherford B. Hayes to stay in office without a scandal over the "special electoral commission" if Republican leaders would remove federal troops from the South along with other small agreements.

3. 14th Amendment: States everyone born in the United States is automatically a U.S citizen entitled to all "privileges and immunities" provided by the Constitution.

4. 15th Amendment: Prohibits state and federal governments to deny U.S citizens the right to vote because of race.

5. Jim Crow Laws: Set of laws established in the South to further strengthen segregation and develop white supremacy.

6. Segregation - Plessy v. Ferguson: "Separate but Equal" is fair and constitutional. separation of whites and blacks in public places, schools ect.

7. Booker T. Washington: Born into slavery and eventually became the spokesman for AA. Gave the Atlanta Compromise speech and encouraged AA to strive for success through education. If he can do it, so can everyone else.

8. Andrew Johnson: President following Lincoln's assassination. Pretty much voided any progress made by Lincoln. Set back Reconstruction and made no gains for equality. Almost got impeached and just became the governments "puppet" 9. Freedman's Bureau: An agency designed to help former slaves who are now freemen. Provided food for millions of former slaves, established schools, private churches ect.

10. Panic of 1873: Financial crisis in the U.S. Many people were in debt and went into panic, its depression lasted for 4 years. This was during Grants presidency and the problem with greenbacks.

__Where Historians Disagree pg 418-419:__


 * William A. Dunning:** "Reconstruction: Corrupt outrage perpetrated on the prostate South by a vicious and vindictive cabal of Northern Republican Radicals. Carpetbaggers flooded the South to profit from the misery of the defeated region." He believed Reconstruction was a moral abomination and only lasted because of the Republicans to keep themselves in power.


 * Public Views:** Portrayed the era as a tragic exploitation of the South by the North. (People at the time up to 1939)


 * W. E. B. Du Bois:** "Reconstruction politics in the Southern states had been an effort on the part of the masses, black and white to create a more democratic society." Misdeeds were exaggerated and achievements overlooked.


 * John Hope Franklin (revionist):** Post War Republicans strived to provide much needed protection for the freedmen. Of course they were no saints but "Andrew Johnson was not a martyred defender of the Constitution but an inept, racist politician who resisted reasonable compromise and brought the government to a crisis." Reconstruction regimes had brought important progress to the South, such as creating the first public school systems and other social reforms. Corruption in the South was no greater than corruption in the North. Tragic was not what Reconstruction did to the Southern white, but what it did not do for the Southern blacks.


 * Eric Foner:** Amazed by how much AA achieved in such a short time. The power they held, even if temporary, created unity and individualism that emancipation alone had not done before. Gained economic means. (impressive)


 * Amy Dru Stanley & Jacqueline Jones:** Freed slaves displayed considerable independence in constricting their households on their own terms and asserting thier control over family life, reproduction, and work.


 * My Views/Chapter Summary:** I think Reconstruction was a little bit of what all the Historians said. Dunnings view are a little extreme, but I do agree that Northern Republicans did not ONLY persist and help free slaves because of moral reasons. There are definatly political and economic reasoning behind it as well. Of course some people honestly just believed in equality for all. I completely agree with John Franklin's views on Andrew Johnson and with Eric Foner's statement about AA progress in such a short amount of time, that truly is amazing. Amy Dru gives a woman's view and perspective which is pretty accurate, in my opinion, but I just wonder how different Reconstruction would have been if Abraham Lincoln was not assassinated and Johnson never became president. Also why is there a huge gap between the end of Reconstruction and the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s? Why did AA not strive for better equality at the end of the 19th century? Overall was Reconstruction a failure ? Kind of, but did it make huge progress for AA and create a basis for the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s? Definitely.