Starter Activity

Was Reconstruction a tragic failure for African Americans? Over the next couple of lessons we are going to bring together everything we have learnt about Reconstruction and come to the conclusion on whether overall, it could be seen as a success or a failure. This lesson will focus specifically on how the role of African Americans changed during the Reconstruction period. Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

Emancipation of slaves to the end of Reconstruction Right back at the beginning of Reconstruction we looked at how the end of the Civil war resulted in the emancipation of 4 million slaves. Given it the southern commitment to slavery, realistically it never seemed like it would just wither away and die in those final decades of the 19th Century. However, there is no doubt that the emancipation had a major impact on both slaveholder and slave. By the early 1870s black people were elevated (in theory) in civil equality with white people. However, the emancipation had little practical impact on most – i.e. Northern Americans. Moreover, black people remained the poorest ethnic group in the USA and by the start of the twentieth century had lost most of their civil and political rights. Task: Create a mind map of all the different things that had an impact on African Americans during Reconstruction. Anything that was positive put in one colour and anything negative in a second colour. You should also try to include dates where possible. You should try to refer to the following: laws, legislation, etc.. Individuals and groups economic situations Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure for African Americans? Historically, historians have drawn different evaluations on what happened to African Americans during Reconstruction and the impact it had on them. Web du Bois, writing in the 1930s stated, ‘The slaves went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again towards slavery.’ To what extent could this be seen as an accurate interpretation? TASK: Using the information on pages 217-219, you need to copy and complete the following grid below: Economic Social Political Success Failure Conclusion Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

Which interpretation do you agree with? Dunning Stampp and Franklin Eric Foner A ‘tragic era’ – southerners suffered and ruled by incompetent and corrupt governments. Ex-slaves were unprepared for freedom and proved incapable of exercising political rights. Reconstruction heroes were Johnson, white southern Democrats and their KKK allies, who tried to redeem the South. The villains were the Republicans, Scalawags and carpetbaggers. ‘rarely in history have participants in an unsuccessful rebellion endured so mild penalties as Congress imposed upon the people of the South and particularly upon their leaders.’ Therefore, the villains were Johnson, white Democrats and the KKK. The heroes with the Radical Republicans and the freedmen who tried to fight for the rights of ex-slaves. Therefore, black southerners were the real losers of Reconstruction He stressed a great deal achieved for -and by – African Americans in the Reconstruction process. Dunning – early 20th century Stampp and Franklin – 50s and 60s Foner - modern TASK: During what period do you think these historians are writing? Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

Which interpretation do you agree with? TASK: Look at the interpretations on the last slide and place them along the continuum below. You will need to add some evidence to explain why their view might be accurate/inaccurate. You should now add on your opinion and explain your position. Failure for African Americans Success for African Americans Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

What do you need in order to have a L4/L5 essay? To what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77? What do you need in order to have a L4/L5 essay? Come to a strong conclusion. Have a sustained argument running throughout Have a variety of arguments Have very good specific own knowledge Analyse the above in relation to the question TASK: You are going to be split into pairs on your table, and write either: Supporting arguments (PEEL) Counter argument (PEEL) Get them to agree on their judgement before they start. Give each table a prompt sheet on structure if needed and get them to write each part of the structure in a different colour. Put the desks together at the end to form a mini essay and assess it as a group – make amendments with the green whiteboard pens. CHALLENGE: Work as a table to formulate a single argument to this question, one which all of your paragraphs can link into. Good learning: Recap how the situation for African Americans changed during Reconstruction Great learning: Explain the successes and failures during Reconstruction for African Americans Even better: Evaluate to what extent did the position of African Americans improve in the years 1865-77

Flip Learning For next lesson you need to: TASK: Research what happened during the 1876 election. You should think about: Who was the candidate for each side? What platform did they have? What was the result? What was the compromise and why did it need to be reached? 2. You also need to complete the fishbone diagram from last lesson.