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Reconstruction. The period after the civil war is known as “Reconstruction”. This is because a great deal of rebuilding was required. Southerners directed their bitterness toward newly freed blacks.
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Reconstruction The period after the civil war is known as “Reconstruction”. This is because a great deal of rebuilding was required. Southerners directed their bitterness toward newly freed blacks. Blacks could now vote and many blacks were elected. Great corruption occurred and blacks were often blamed. Look at the different points of view in the text.
Sharecroppers Former slaves now had to earn a living. Land owners would break up their property and give a parcel of land to workers in exchange for a portion of their crop. This life was not much better in terms of freedom because they were deeply indebted to the plantation owners and the banks and the labour was very difficult. What might be some reasons for their continued poverty?
Ku Klux Klan An underground terrorist group that refused to accept equality of other races (especially blacks). Their campaign of terror used beatings, crop destructions, threats of violence, murder, rape, lynchings and many other dreadful acts. These were designed to keep people in fear and prevent them from achieving equality. Thus, many blacks were not better off than they were as slaves. Reconstruction is often known as the “tragic era”
‘Jim Crow’ Laws Named after a fictional black character (derogatory) These were passed throughout the south and established segregation. The Supreme Court supported the Jim Crow laws and greater abuses took place. Blacks often couldn’t use the same theatres, restaurants, hotels, schools and even living areas, etc. Black and whites couldn’t marry. Separation in the armed forces and blood from white and blacks were kept separate by the Red Cross.
They were kept from voting by: Poll taxes: Failure to pay meant they could not vote. Many blacks were poor and could not vote. Literacy and “understanding” tests. Failing these tests meant the could not vote. Residency requirements and more. 1896- 130,000 blacks voted 1900- 5,000 blacks voted. It seems as if blacks were the focus of southern bitterness toward the north.
