1. Chapter
Goal 3

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. Changes cont…
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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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

12. 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

13. Democrats Back in Power
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

14. 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