3.4a Summarize the end of Reconstruction, including the role of anti-African American factions and competing national interests in undermining support for Reconstruction; the impact of the removal of federal protection for freedmen; and the impact of Jim Crow laws and voter restrictions on African American rights in the post- Reconstruction era.

The Problems for Black Families After Freedom Although blacks had their freedom they had no land or money. ***In order to survive many turned to Sharecropping or Tenant Farming (2 main jobs of blacks after Civil War) or farming the land in exchange for a share of the crop. Dishonest landowners often made this like slavery. Sharecropping was bad for blacks and poor whites. Kept people in debt and under control of land owner.

Black Education and Black Churches The desire for freedom led to a rise of African-American churches after the war. ***As one of the few institutions truly owned by blacks they became the center of social and political life. ***African-American ministers also became social/political leaders. African- Americans were free to worship as they wished.

Political and Social Debate ***Politics- African-Americans played a role in politics during Reconstruction for a short time. 600 African-Americans served in state legislatures. ***A few were elected to Lieutenant Governor ***The first blacks were elected to Congress at this time.

Conflicts within the Community ***Carpetbaggers- northern white Republicans who attained political power and took positions important to society. (Many were teachers) They were greatly resented by white southerners ***Scalawags- whites that had opposed secession and took political power while southern whites could not vote. Scalawags were from the South. Southerners hated Scalawags and Carpetbaggers.

Social Change in the South Although freedom brought significant social change for African Americans initially there was little change for the white population Social classes remained fairly stable despite the loss of economic status by the planter elite. States passed laws that began public education, however the schools were segregated.

Economic Impact of Reconstruction Reconstruction had little impact on the South. The Economy continued to rest on agriculture and cotton, but now depended on sharecropping instead of slavery. The national government did not rebuild the war-torn economy, so the South remained in a state of depression well into the 20 th Century.