LESSON 3 Reconstruction Ends

White Resistance Grows Many whites were upset by the Republican rule of the government. Some were so angry, they formed the Ku Klux Klan, which fought for white supremacy. The Klan committed violent acts against blacks and Republicans. The Klan’s purpose in SC was to intimidate freedmen so they would not vote. Even though many people didn’t vote in the 1868 election because of the Klan’s intimidation, Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant still won.

“This is a White Man’s Government” The caption beneath reads: "We regard the Reconstruction Acts (so called) of Congress as usurpations, and unconstitutional, revolutionary, and void.” —Democratic Platform This political cartoon appeared during the 1868 presidential campaign in which Republican Ulysses S. Grant ran against Democrat Horatio Seymour. The cartoonist, Thomas Nast, criticizes the Democratic Party for its opposition to Reconstruction. Have students examine the cartoon on the slide or on page 197 of their textbook. How can they tell that the three men pictured represent Democrats? What symbolism does Nast use to represent Democrats and their opposition to Reconstruction? Who does each person represent? (In general, from left to right, the figures represent poor, working class Irish immigrants, a former Confederate soldier, and a wealthy businessman) How do the images represent the prejudices of that time period? What might be burning in the background behind the men? Consider the actions taken by white Southerners lashing out against blacks and Republicans during the Reconstruction period. For help in answering these questions and creating some of your own, visit this site: http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/7Illustrations/Reconstruction/ThisIsAWhiteMansGov.htm

“Worse than Slavery” Members of the White League and the Klan shake hands over the “lost cause” and a banner that reads: “The Union as it Was. This is a White Man’s Government.” Why do you think the cartoonist viewed the events during this time period as worse than slavery?

15th Amendment In 1869, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, which granted voting rights to all male citizens “regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Southern states found loopholes in the amendment to prevent black men from voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes. Many women were deeply disappointed that the amendment did not extend suffrage to them. How did voting restrictions such as literacy tests and poll taxes also hurt poor whites?

Reconstruction’s Slow End The Klan started a “reign of terror” in South Carolina, resulting in much bloodshed. Congress passed the Ku Klux Klan Act, allowing the president to declare martial law in areas deemed to be out of control. In one month, President Grant declared martial law in nine counties in South Carolina. By the mid 1870s, Democrat “Redeemers” had regained power in many southern states. Why did many Democrats see themselves as “Redeemers.” What was their goal in regaining power in state government?

Reconstruction’s Slow End The Democrats wanted to “redeem” or save the government and restore things to how they were before the Civil War. They did not support the Freedmen’s Bureau. The planter elite primary made up this political party. They often attempted to control their former slaves after emancipation through intimidation and violence.

The Hamburg Massacre A battle in July 1876 between armed white men and an African American Militia. Six black militiamen and one white farmer was killed. Although blacks were the majority of victims, Wade Hampton, an ex-Confederate general who would run for governor as a Democrat in the fall election, used the Hamburg Massacre to remind the mostly white voters across the state of the racial danger of Republican-controlled government.

The Election of 1876 Elections held for governor and for president— Wade Hampton III (D) v. Daniel H. Chamberlain (R) for South Carolina governor Samuel Tilden (D) v. Rutherford B. Hayes (R) for president Wade Hampton won the election for governor, marking the end of Reconstruction in SC though hostilities continued.

The Compromise of 1877 The results of the presidential election were in dispute. The election results in three states—South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida—were in question. Republicans and Democrats struck a deal to end the dispute. Democrats agreed to declare Hayes the winner in exchange for the complete withdrawal of federal troops from the South. Ask students: How did the Compromise of 1877 bring an end to Reconstruction?

The Legacy of Reconstruction Several positive results emerged from this painful era. African Americans had the opportunity to go to school. Education was the area where there was most improvement for freedmen during reconstruction. The South began to rebuild its economy. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments ended slavery, granted citizenship to former slaves, and gave black men voting rights. But many unresolved issues remained…

Discrimination Continues The North lost interest in Reconstruction in the South and the Conservative Democrats regain power. They called themselves “Redeemers” as they were trying to save the government, restoring it to the way it was before the war. They passed laws like the 8 Box Law, the Dibble Plan, and poll taxes to limit the political power of African Americans.

Discrimination Continues As African Americans gained more political power, racial relations worsened. In 1895, the new governor Ben Tillman wanted a new SC state constitution that would disfranchise black voters and keep Democrats in power. This new constitution was ratified and placed limits on African Americans right to vote.

The Jim Crow South They become known as Jim Crow Laws The South begins passing laws that intentionally segregated black and whites. They become known as Jim Crow Laws The US Supreme Court declared in the court case Plessy v. Ferguson that separate was ok as long as facilities were equal.