Chapter 12.2-12.3 Goal 3

The Post-War South By 1870 all of the former CSA states were back in the Union However, Reconstruction process will last 7 more years Southern economy and population destroyed by the war Because of this the government during Reconstruction funded the building of roads, bridges, railroads, schools, etc.

Scalawags and Carpetbaggers Democrats who were against Reconstruction called white southerners who joined the Republican party Scalawags Most were small farmers who wanted to prevent the wealthy landowners from gaining power again Northerners who moved South were called carpetbaggers Southerners believed they were out to exploit them and their situation A mixed bag of those trying to help and hurt

Changes for African Americans African Americans made up the largest group of Southern Republicans 90% voter turn out among African Americans Migration from Southern rural areas to cities seeking work, took advantage of freedom to move as one pleased Reuniting of families Sought education that was previously denied to them, founded schools with help of Freedmen’s Bureau

Changes cont… 1865-1877 increasing number of African Americans in politics at all levels SC had African American majority in its legislature Hiram Revels, first African American senator from Mississippi Out of 125 members of Congress during Reconstruction 16 were African American

Farming During war African Americans (mostly former slaves) that fought for North were promised 40 acres and a mule After war, over 40,000 freed persons were given small farms on 400,000 acres of abandoned land but had to give it up when it was declared illegal and people came back to claim their land Many could not afford to buy their own land

Sharecropping and Tenant Farming Economic necessity forced many African Americans back to working on farms In exchange for housing, wages, and food, freedmen worked in fields Low wages and planters often lacked money to pay workers Sharecropping and tenant farming are the result

Sharecropping and Tenant Farming Sharecropping: landowner divides his land and gives each worker a few acres and long with seed and tools at harvest time worker must give landowner a share of his crop (usually ½) Tenant Farming: “croppers” who rented the land rather than pay in crops

Opposition to Reconstruction Ku Klux Klan- started as a social club of former Confederate soldiers By 1868 exist in every southern state Goal was to prevent African Americans for exercising their political rights Violence, intimidation Enforcement Acts of 1870 and 1871 designed to prevent voter intimidation

Grant’s Presidency—Scandals No political experience, put friends in high positions Credit Mobilier Scandal: 1872, construction company skimmed off large profits from a government railroad contract, sub-contracted to themselves and many members of Congress were involved and profited. Whiskey Ring: tax collectors and other officials accept bribes from whiskey makers who want to avoid paying their taxes Looks BAD!

Liberal Republican Party Forms a result of disgust over corruption in Republican party In 1872 Election, they run Horace Greeley as their candidate Wants to end military occupation of the south (different from RRs) Also nominated by Democrats Loses and dies shortly after the election GRANT WINS ELECTION OF 1872

Panic of 1873 Investors in North and South borrow heavily as they work to rebuild the nation Many take on more debt than they can handle or pay back Largest portion of economy was railroads, Reading Railroad goes bankrupt which causes a domino effect, economy falls 5 year economic depression

Democrats Back in Power 1869-1875 Democrats recapture several southern state governments (Redemption) 1876 election: Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep) vs Samuel Tilden(Dem) Tilden wins popular vote but not electoral college so election is decided in the House of Rep Results in Compromise of 1877

Compromise of 1877 Federal Troops must leave South Money is given for railroad from Texas to west and improve southern waterways Hayes must appoint Southerner to his Cabinet Hayes is “elected” as president