Reconstruction in the South

Republican Government 1870, all Conf states met requirements to rejoin Union Republicans dominate state governments 1,500 black men (some born free, others recently released) helped Rep gain power New Black citizens served several roles: - school superintendents - sheriffs - mayors - police chiefs - state representatives (MS & SC had black Speakers of the House

Rep Govt Cont Between 1870 & 1877 two African Americans senators and 14 African American congressmen served in US Congress Millions of S African American men were now voters Many white southerners not eligible to vote: - would not take loyalty oath - stayed away from const. conventions - stayed away from elections Black men signed up to use their new suffrage rights. By 1868 many southern states had African American officials & strong Rep Party *In SC, black majority ruled the legislature*

Scalawags & Carpetbaggers Scalawags: southern white men who had been locked out of pre-Civil War politics by wealthier neighbors Carpetbaggers: new “opportunists” to the south who came to make their fortunes from the South’s misfortunes - called this b/c of inexpensive carpet-cloth suitcases they carried Opportunities: - new land to be bought - new careers to be shaped

Blanche K. Bruce Carpetbagger who took advantage of opportunities Born a slave in VA Learned to read from his owner’s son At beginning of war, left plantation to Missouri Ran school for black children in MO went to MS, became landowner & elected to several political positions elected to U.S. Senate * Often young, northerners at educational advantage, S only place for African Americans to pursue political career

Successes and Failures Republican Party does not support women’s suffrage South offered N women -white & black- could not pursue at home Women’s jobs in medical facilities, orphanages, and other relief agencies Most important women’s development was shaping of public school system Establishing school system was expensive

Segregation/Integration Segregation: separation of the races - one school for blacks; one school for whites Integration: combining races - unpopular idea w/ most Republicans Southerners still remained illiterate In S, medical care, housing, & economic production lagged behind North Legal protection for blacks limited, racial violence remained problem until 20 th century

Political Issues Political offices no longer about honor, becoming route to wealth & power Ambitious people in S willing to bribe politicians in order to gain access to loans or contracts Most corruption involved the railroads Republicans: - party of African Americans - party of aggressive economic development Railroads had 2 big advantages: - construction of tracks & rail cars created jobs - rail lines provided means to carry produce & industrial goods to expanded markets

New Communities Many freed blacks moved away from plantations, even if owners were generous Many firsts for black men & women: - legalize & celebrate marriages - create homes for families - make choices about where to live Many blacks headed for southern cities Helped develop churches, schools, other social “institutions”

Communities Contd Men & women hoped to find work Men: carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks, or house servants Women: took in laundry or did child care Many conditions the same as slavery: - substandard housing - poor food - hard labor

Black Schools Blacks realized importance of reading and basic math These skills allowed them to vote effectively 1866: 150,000 black students (adults/children) acquiring literacy in Freedmen’s Bureau schools Number doubled in 3 years Tuition was 10% of laborer’s wage Freedmen’s Bureau also aided black colleges Encouraged N churches to send supplies to schools Taught basics: reading, writing, math Also taught life skills: health/nutrition, how to look for jobs

Black Churches Churches important component of Reconstruction education Churches established throughout South Churches also served as school sites, community centers, employment agencies, political rallying points Churches helped develop black leaders Many black politicians/leaders began as ministers

Southern Economy Wealth defined by land ownership 1860, wealthiest 5% of white southerners owned almost ½ of region’s land More than 90% of S land was owned by 50% of the people After war, millions of landless southern white people competing w/ millions of landless blacks for work in similar jobs Few black men were able to gather means to buy land 1880, 7% of S land owned by blacks

Sharing Land Land owners for supplies or paying workers Southerners adopt 1 of 3 arrangements: - sharecropping - share-tenancy - tenant-farming Sharecropping: landowner dictated crop & provided sharecropper w/ place to live, seeds, tools, in return for “share” of harvested crop Owner often bought supplies on credit, high interest Landlord passed costs to sharecropper; perpetually in debt

Sharecropping Cont Many landlords invested in cotton Dishonest landowners could lie about cost of supplies, devaluating harvest that now amounted to less than season’s expenses Sharecropper could never move, because he always owed the owner the labor for next year’s crop

Share-tenancy Farmworker chose what crop he would plant & bought his own supplies Gave share of crop to the landowner Farmworker had more control over cost of supplies Farmworker able to grow variety of crops or use some of land to grow food for his family More possible to save money

Tenant Farming Most independent form of farming Tenant paid cash to rent to landowner & then was free to choose & manage his own crop Also free to choose where to live Only viable for farmer who had good money- management skills

Ku Klux Klan White southerners became more hostile as blacks made progress White groups organized to terrorize blacks Ku Klux Klan (KKK) formed in TN Roamed countryside at night, burning homes, schools, and churches Also beat maimed, or killed blacks & white allies Aimed to scare freed people away from voting Took aim at teachers & schools, churches & ministers, politicians (white or black): anyone who encouraged blacks to vote

Violence & Response After 15 th Amendment, violence grew in N & S: - Arkansas, Rep legislature murdered - New Orleans, riots broke out - Freed woman claimed KKK murdered husband - claimed KKK incensed b/c “Mr. Jones” had “poor white folks on the land, and he [evicted them], and put all these blacks on the premises” 1870 & 1871 Enforcement Acts: federal offense to interfere with a citizen’s right to vote

Violence in South George Ruby of TX dragged into woods & beaten b/c he opened school in LA Emanuel Fortune of FL felt life was constantly in danger b/c he was “leading man in politics” Violence at polls in N & S 1870 Election in Philadelphia: marines sent to protect black voters No protection provided in 1871 election - black teacher, Octavius Catto killed in antiblack political riots Congress used Enforcement acts to indict Klansmen in South Violence against blacks & Republicans slowed after 1872