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13.1

13.1. Constitutional Conventions. New State Constitutions. Black men first participated in politics in the south as delegates to constitutional conventions The southern states were writing new state constitutions to replace the ones written under President Johnson’s supervision

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13.1

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  1. 13.1 Constitutional Conventions

  2. New State Constitutions • Black men first participated in politics in the south as delegates to constitutional conventions • The southern states were writing new state constitutions to replace the ones written under President Johnson’s supervision • The delegates were mostly Republicans made up of carpetbaggers- white northern migrants who moved to the south, scalawags-native white southerners who sought economic relief from Republican governments and African Americans • Most Democrats boycotted these conventions and the elections to choose the delegates that would participate in them

  3. New State Constitutions • The delegates produced impressive constitutions that that ensured all males right to vote and gave guarantees of civil rights • Several states provided the first state wide public schools • Republicans hoped to gain the support of white southerners by supporting private business, especially railroad construction

  4. Black Political Leaders • Over the next decade 1,465 black men held political office in the South • Black politicians would eventually occupy very important political positions • There were fourteen black men in the US House of Representatives, two black Senators and even a black Governor for a short time

  5. Black Political Leaders • Many of these men were well qualified. Others were not • 195 of the 1,465 public officials were illiterate • But, 64 of them had college of professional educations • Black men didn’t dominate any state politically, but, many were dominate in certain districts

  6. The Issues • These new state governments focused on several key issues • Education and increased literacy was promoted but had opponents because it was funded through increase taxes • Attempts to end segregation in public transportation were undertaken throughout the south

  7. Economic Issues • Black leaders enacted laws to promote business and industry • Some southern states increased property taxes on large landholders so that they might be forced to sell land to poor residents in the region • In this way African Americans hoped to gain land

  8. Assignment • 1. How did Democrats in the South respond to the election for state conventions? • 2. What important political offices were held by African Americans in the South? • 3. What issues most concerned black political leaders? • 4. How many black leaders served in office in this time period? • 5. How did newly elected Republican leaders hope to gain the support of southerners?

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