HIST 106 1st Edition Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture 1 Unresolved Questions Issues after the Civil War 2 Reconstruction Early Ideas under Lincoln Presidential Reconstruction 1865 1867 3 Andrew Johnson 4 Debates over the Treatment of Former Confederates 5 The Black Codes Radical or Congressional Reconstruction 1867 1877 6 Goals 7 The Freedmen s Bureau 8 Reconstruction Acts of 1867 9 Johnson s Impeachment 10 Mixed Record 11 African Americans Experience Reconstruction Meanings Realities of Freedom Outline of Current Lecture 1 Redemption Opposition to Reconstruction in the South Strong Southern Dislike of Reconstruction Governments Terrorism to Recreate Reinforce White Supremacy Establishment of a New Race and Class Based Labor System Sharecropping 2 Retreat Northern Retreat from Reconstruction Depression of 1873 3 Economic Issues Take Precedence Pessimism over the South s Ability to Reconstruct to Treat African Americans Equally 4 Fate of Southern Reconstruction Governments the Mississippi Plan Presidential Election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877 Current Lecture Redemption Opposition to Reconstruction in the South Strong Southern Dislike of Reconstruction Governments These were a humiliating reminder of defeat They were strongly against northern military occupation Never more than about 7k troops stationed in the reconstruction areas These governments started spending money which meant rising taxes and state debt Democrats accused them of corruption and irresponsible spending Also felt federal governments gave special privileges to blacks Most whites simply could not accept the idea of blacks as equals Had to endure major cultural shift When last of troops left major white backlash Terrorism to Recreate Reinforce White Supremacy Wanted to put blacks back into pre war status KKK Ku Klux Klan Founded in TN in winter of 1866 by 6 confederate vets Supposedly a social club Secret meetings elaborate ceremonies and members wore disguises Soon took on more sinister nature and become terrorist group of the democrats Original group had high society members elite of white southern society Nathan Bedford Forrest Cofounder John B Gordon Georgia Klan Leader Loose knit umbrella for independent local groups that shared common goal white supremacy and common tactics Targeted blacks that had gained power land owners and those that stood up to plantation owners Burned black freedom symbols churches schools Wanted to keep blacks out of politics Broke up coalition of republican southerners Carpetbaggers and scallywags were also targets Terrorism devastated republican party Response Grant and congress in 1870 1871 enforce civil rights acts Congress enacts KKK Act allowing federal government to intervene when states fail to properly persecute those that were keeping others from voting and denying rights KKK reign was short lived after this Klan fades away until revived during 19 teens Other white supremacy groups emerged with the same goal to restore white power in southern state Establishment of a New Race and Class Based Labor System Sharecropping Most blacks had skills best suited in agriculture Despite post war talk of land redistribution most land that union controlled was returned to white southern Plantation owners now without slaves or money to pay workers for work slaves had been doing are now unable to farm their own land Few planters succeeded in setting up small paying labor contracts Most slaves wanted more pay and independence though Sharecropping emerges in early 1870s Spread very fast Most prevalent form of farming Supreme white land owners allowed poor whites and blacks to harvest land in exchange for some the crop Sometimes would provide food shelter and tools Should benefit both parties Land owners get workers and to keep majority of crops Former slaves get jobs and pay South after war is cash poor but land rich In practice though did not work out ethically Sharecroppers often found themselves in debt Had to pay excessive fees to land owners Agreements were in favor of land owners Many times at the end of the season the worker may only be paid 1 3 of the crop produced If they had something else to bring such as mule they may get more Still needed supplies and tools to work Land owners would set up small shops for this SC had little cash so most had to be taken out in credit Were charged incredibly high interest rates In the fall land owners would give the SC their share of the crops and make them sell them to these stores or back to the land owners Gave no options to get the best price What little money made was given back to the LO to pay debts Most were illiterate so couldn t check books and add debt or calculate interest Had to rely on land owners word who were typically in charge of how much crop was planted Many times purposely mis measured to cheat the SC Were told that what they sold was not enough to cover the debt Always meant SC were indebted to the LO for another season Constant cycle This system is the primary system for the next 20 years Share cropping and white supremacy groups were 2 main ways whites were able to restore white power in the south Blacks were removed from political processes made economically dependent and put on bottom rung of society Southern whites resisted every step of reconstruction Made bigger and more expensive than it had to be Eventually north loses interest All that s left is a small group of white northerners and blacks Retreat Northern Retreat from Reconstruction Depression of 1873 One of countries top financial firm collapses First in great crisis of industrial capitalism Large impact of 19th century Implications for reconstruction Pushed financial issues Economic Issues Take Precedence Pessimism over the South s Ability to Reconstruct to Treat African Americans Equally Fate of Southern Reconstruction Governments the Mississippi Plan Presidential Election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877 As north grew tired of reconstruction south was able to overthrow reconstruction governments Miss Plan was terrorizing blacks either to not come out to vote or making them vote democratic By 1876 election democrats are ready to take back the south and stop reconstruction completely Had rebuilt support and party completely Hayes runs on Republican ticket Wants to return south to reconstruction ASAP Tilden democratic party gained more electoral votes Swing states LA FL SC held up 20 electoral votes and republicans complain Tilden only needed 1 more to