Reconstruction

1. Reconstruction Class Lecture

2. Introduction • When the Civil War ended in 1865, Georgia, along with the rest of the south faced great challenges. • The southern states to which war weary Confederate soldiers returned home was not as they had left it. • Destruction 1. Homes 2. Factories 3. Railroads 4. Stores

3. Introduction • There wasn’t enough food & many people were starving. • Confederate paper money was worthless, and numbers of banks had closed their doors. • Many of the adult white male population died during the war, or returned home unable to work because of their injuries. • Some who had land sold it to raise cash badly needed for rebuilding. • Life was particularly hard in Georgia because of all of the destruction. People had to live in makeshift housing or in tents.

4. African Americans • Four million former slaves (freedmen) faced even greater hardships. • Examples 1. Homeless 2. Uneducated 3. Few possessions, little clothing • African Americans drifted from place to place looking for food, shelter, work, and lost family members (spouses, children, and other family members or friends that had been sold away from them during slavery.

5. Social Order • When the Civil War broke the chains of slavery, it also destroyed the old social order of master and slave. • A new relationship had to be forged between blacks and whites in the southern states. • Racial attitudes made that difficult. 1. Blacks feared that their old masters would try to enslave them. 2. Whites found it difficult to accept blacks as free persons and did not accept them as equals. • White fear of African American drifters, and rising crime rates in the black community (often a necessity to find food), caused southerners to create vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.

6. The Freedmen’s Bureau • In response to the needs of struggling whites and freedmen, the United States government established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands in March 1865. • Its first commissioner was Union General Oliver O. Howard. • The original purpose of the agency was to help both blacks and whites cope with their everyday problems by offering them clothing, food, and other necessities.

7. The Freedmen’s Bureau • However, after a while, the bureau’s focus changed so that it became concerned primarily with helping freedmen adjust to their new circumstances. • They tried to help African Americans by giving them 1. The Right to Vote 2. Land 3. An Education • Southern whites felt completely abandoned by the U.S. Federal Government.

8. The Birth of Modern Racism • It was in this social climate that modern racism was born. • Feeling abandoned by the Federal Government, southern whites had a growing resentment for the African American community (who benefited from government policy). • Unable to lash out against the Federal Government, whites lashed out against the weaker black community. • Hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan demonstrated their frustration toward Washington, D.C. by beating, and lynching African Americans, burning their homes, and houses of worship.

9. Reconstruction Plans • Lincoln’s Plan • 10% Plan - lenient, state had to outlaw slavery, 10% of voters in each state must pledge allegiance to Union • Johnson’s Plan • Similar to Lincoln's, but he did not let former Confederate officers and wealthy landowners vote; he also made states ratify the 13th Amendment (this amendment ended slavery) • Congressional Reconstruction • Headed by Radical Republicans; they created the Freedmen’s Bureau; they passed the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution and made the southern states ratify these amendments as well as the 13th; US military governed the southern states; Confederate officers were denied political power

10. Reconstruction Legislation • 13th Amendment: abolished slavery • 14th Amendment: makes blacks citizens (no discrimination based in race) • 15th Amendment: gives blacks the right to vote • Reconstruction Act: Congressional Reconstruction (same thing)

11. Groups in Reconstruction • Radical Republicans: Congressmen wanting to destroy power of slaveholders and make changes (blacks can become citizens and vote) • Freedmen’s Bureau: agency to help former slaves and poor whites with clothes, food, and other necessities

12. Scalawags: Southern Republicans • Carpetbaggers: Republicans who moved South after the war • KKK: secret organization to keep freedmen from exercising rights through terror • Sharecroppers: farmers who were given a few acres of land, tools, seeds, etc. by the landowner in exchange for part of the crop • Tenant farmer: farmers who rented the land, only small profit, but better than sharecroppers

13. African-Americans in Reconstruction • Looked for family members • Tried to get an education • Began new churches • Became involved politically by voting or running for office • Henry McNeal Turner--raised in South (free black), AME preacher, served in Union army, elected state senator; he and 26 other black legislators were denied acceptance by the majority white General Assembly; after protest and US support, the legislators were able to participate in the 2nd legislative session

14. Reconstruction in GA • Constitutional Convention of 1865: the government of Georgia repealed secession and abolished slavery—they did this in order to reenter the Union • Constitutional Convention of 1868: move convention (and capital) to Atlanta, they passed the 14th amendment, whipping was abolished, and they set up the poll tax

15. End of Reconstruction • By mid-1870’s everyone tired of Reconstruction due to: high taxes put South deeper in debt, whites gained power as troops withdrew, South fought against policies • Presidential Election of 1877 disputed • Democrats and Republicans agree to give victory to Rutherford B. Hayes if Hayes will withdraw troops in South--marks the end of Reconstruction

16. Effects of Reconstruction • Positive • Rebuilt South and restored the Union • Stimulated economic growth • Passed 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments • Freedmen’s Bureau helped • Negative • Most blacks still in poverty • Blacks denied rights with KKK, poll tax, literacy test, grandfather clause • Racism continued • South bitter at Republicans and federal government • South still not industrialized

17. Reconstruction News ArticleWrite a two-paragraph news article about Reconstruction. Include the following:1. Overall effects, both positive and negative of Reconstruction2. Explanation of different groups that formed during Reconstruction3. A description of the three different Reconstruction plans