The Postwar South

The South is devastated The Civil War destroyed the South’s economy. Property values plummeted. Small farms ruined.

Sherman’s March Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s troops physically scarred much of the South with his policy of “total war”.

The South’s Population More than one-fifth of the adult white men of the Confederacy died during the war. Many were also maimed for life.

Scalawags Democrats’ derogatory term for white Southerners who joined the Republican Party.

Carpetbaggers Democrats’ derogatory term for Northerners who moved South after the war. They had mixed motives. Some truly wanted to help African-Americans, others looking to get rich.

African-American voters Many African-American men began to vote for the first time under the Fifteenth Amendment. 9 out of 10 voted for the Republican Party.

Confederate emigration Several thousand former planters left the South for Europe, Mexico, and Brazil after the War. They did not want to be reminded of their defeat.

New Opportunities for African-Americans Many former slaves worked to obtain an education. African-American colleges such as Howard and Hampton founded. By 1877, more than 600,000 African-Americans enrolled in elementary schools.

African-American officeholders Some African-Americans were elected to public office. South Carolina had a black majority in the state legislature. Despite almost equal numbers with white citizens in the South, African-American officeholders remained in the minority.

Hiram Revels First African-American senator. From Mississippi. Held Jefferson Davis’ old seat. Born in Fayetteville, NC. Educated in Illinois.

Blanche Bruce First African-American to serve a FULL term as US Senator Also from Mississippi

Land Few former slaves had the money to buy land. Ones that did couldn’t always buy property from whites.

“40 Acres and a Mule” Former slaves needed land. Gen. Sherman promised freed slaves 40 acres per family and the use of army mules. Freed slaves settled on SC and GA coastal land. After War, Johnson allows original landowners to return and evict former slaves. Thaddeus Stevens wanted plantations redistributed to former slaves. Would violate 5th amendment rights (property)

Experimentation with new farming methods Sharecropping – landowners divide their land and give each worker a few acres, seed, and tools. At harvest time each worker gave the landowner a share of his crop (usually half). Tenant farming – farmers rent land for cash from landowners and keep all of their harvest.

Cycle of poverty Sharecropping and Tenant farming created a circle of poverty. Farmers could not save enough to buy their own land and break out of the system.

The Southern Economy Changes Demand for cotton falls Planters try to make up for lost profits by growing too much cotton.

The South Tries to Diversify Textile mills spring up in the South, and tobacco-product manufacturing develops.

Southern economy is hurt by: Confederate debts Falling prices and decreasing demand for cotton The ongoing impact of Civil War devastation.