MS STUDIES: Chapter 7

1. MS STUDIES: Chapter 7 The dawn of the 20th Century

2. SEGREGATION: • The adoption of the 1890 constitution, the white ruling class used its power to protect it’s own interest. The state began creating new laws to separated the races- • Violations of this rigid system often sparked violent punishment or LYNCHING. Between 1889-1945 Mississippians lynched 476 people-24 of these people were white. 14 were black females and the majority were black males.

3. SEGREGATION

4. POLICE SIGN

5. SEGREGATED SCHOOL

6. MISSISSIPPI LYNCHING

7. EDUCATION • A weak economy and racism caused MS to neglected the education of it’s children. • There was no public education system in the state prior to Reconstruction • Teachers were not educated. White teachers were paid $130 a year. Black Teachers were paid $90 a year. 75% of all teachers studied in the rural schools were they taught. • Educational opportunities varied by counties. • A portion of the school funding came from paying the $2 poll tax. Poll tax was used to keep poor whites and blacks from voting.

8. Agriculture • After Civil War credit was tight. • Farmers did not have $ to pay workers wages. • Poor Farmers did not have $ to buy land • As a result Poor White Farmers and Freedmen turned to Sharecropping. • A sharecropper did NOT own the land, the house he/she lived in, or the tools they used. • They worked the land and paid rent in the form of a portion of the yearly crop. • In 1890 60% of all farm families were sharecroppers

9. SHARECROPPER

11. AGRICULTURE PROBLEMS 1907 • BOLL WEEVIL: Beetle that attacks cotton before it’s fibers open. • Devastated the crops for several years • Farmers in the SW portion of the state started farming tung trees, dairy coms and tomatoes. • The Boll Weevil is still a pest today.

13. Chinese Labor

15. LUMBER INDUSTRY • 1880-1930 White pine forest of Mississippi were clear cut • The area known as the Piney Woods • Cities such as Hattiesburg, Laurel and Moss Point developed because of the Timber Industry.

19. The Populist Revolt • After CW Federal Gov’t was controlled by Republicans. They favored business over farmers. Passed higher taxes on manufactured goods. • Farmers suffered because nation was on gold standard instead of Silver. Silver was more plentiful. • Money was scarce – cost of borrowing was high.

20. Populist Cont. • Farmers needed cheap $ to buy equipment and supplies. Wanted $ backed by silver • Issue caused nationwide Political Revolt • Mississippi it was called MS Farmers Alliance. Was organized to help small farmers challenged the most powerful insiders. (James George) • 1891: MS Farmers Alliance endorsed Ethelbert Barksdale Editor of Jackson Newspaper/George was elected

21. Populist Cont. • 1891 Populist Party was formed to help small farmers • Demanded • Tariff reform • Graduated income tax • Regulation of Railroad • The use of silver $ • Election of Senators instead of appointment The election of 1891 The Democrats played the race card and won.

22. Populist Democrats take Control • 1903 James Vardaman was elected Governor. He represented the poor whites of the Hills and Piney Woods. His racism, showmanship and populism won their votes.

23. The Progressive Movement • Progressives believed that Government was best equipped to correct the ills of society. • 1911 election Vardaman elected Senator Bilbo LT. Governor. • 1915 Bilbo elected Governor: Man of the People: • Created: • State Tax Commission • Developed pardons board • Tuberculosis hospital • Charity hospital • Training school for delinquents • Passed a Compulsory school attendance law • Anti-lobby law • Education received highest appropriation in history