1. Warm-up:
List what you think some successes and failures of Reconstruction were during this time.

2. The End of Reconstruction

3. Read pages & 80-81
List 12 bullet points of information about how Reconstruction ended in the South
Then write a 10 sentence paragraph on whether you think Reconstruction was a success or a failure…be sure to give specific examples to support your answer

4. Despite progress, problems still persisted
Rebuilding railroads was one of greatest successes of Reconstruction
Turned southern villages into towns and towns into cities
Cities offered different job opportunities to the freed slaves
Still at bottom: maids, butlers, servants and unskilled day labor
The new southern economy grew more slowly
A shortage of capital (money) led to dependence on northern bankers
High illiteracy rates and discrimination weighed down the region
For many farmers it was a struggle to survive
Price of cotton plummeted after the war & boll weevils wiped out entire crops

5. Southern Economy
Sharecropping and Tenant Farming for the freed slaves and poor whites
Left many in a cycle of debt-using this year’s profits to pay last year’s bills
South had to import much of its food
Southern factories brought industry to the South
Most of South’s postwar industrial growth came from cotton
Southern legislatures poured money into rebuilding infrastructure
Levied heavy taxes to pay for it
Fraudulent loans and grants
By 1877 people were growing tired of Reconstruction mostly because of the heavy taxes that were levied.

6. The Election of 1876 Democrats returned to power—the solid South
Blocked many federal policies and reversed reforms
Rutherford B. Hayes-Republican
Samuel Tilden-Democrat
Hayes lost popular vote but electoral vote was disputed
Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina still under Republican and federal control---so both parties claimed victory
Congress commission (more R than D) declared Hayes victor but Demo. in Congress had enough power to reject decision

7. Compromise 1877
Deal struck between Democrats and Republicans over election of 1876
Democrats would give Hayes victory but...
1. New president had to remove remaining federal troops from the Southern states 2. Support appropriations to build new levies along the Mississippi River 3. Give huge subsidies (aid or grant from government) to southern railroads

8. Was Reconstruction a… success? failure?
The rebuilding of the South began- helped to repair the war torn South.
The U.S. was permanently united-restored the Union
Constitutional amendments aided a later civil rights movement.
failure?
African Americans lost many rights, including voting rights.
De jure segregation became the law in all southern states.
Racist attitudes continued in North & South 8

9. Activity:
Write a 7 sentence paragraph discussing whether you think Reconstruction was a success or a failure and why. You must use examples to support your view.