Reconstruction: Part II (US History EOC Review - USHC 3.4)

Summary

This video segment explores the turbulent period of Reconstruction in the post-Civil War South. It covers Southern resistance through groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the roles of carpetbaggers and scalawags, and the eventual re-establishment of Southern Democratic control. The video discusses the rise of discriminatory laws, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which disenfranchised African Americans, and the *Plessy v. Ferguson* ruling that upheld racial segregation. Ultimately, the video underscores the undoing of Reconstruction and the harsh realities of post-war Southern politics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Carpetbaggers were Northern individuals who moved to the South after the Civil War, often viewed as opportunists or corrupt by Southern whites.
• 😀 Scalawags were Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party, considered traitors by many of their fellow Southerners.
• 😀 The Ku Klux Klan emerged during Reconstruction as a violent resistance group, aiming to intimidate freed African Americans and undermine Reconstruction efforts.
• 😀 Freedmen were former slaves who gained the right to vote during Radical Reconstruction, significantly changing the political landscape in the South.
• 😀 Home Rule refers to the re-establishment of Southern Democratic control in state governments after the end of Radical Reconstruction, often through violent or coercive means.
• 😀 The 1876 disputed election led to a compromise that ended Radical Reconstruction and saw Union troops pulled out of the South, giving Democrats control once again.
• 😀 Jim Crow laws emerged post-Reconstruction, institutionalizing racial segregation and disenfranchising African Americans through measures like literacy tests and poll taxes.
• 😀 The 'grandfather clause' allowed many white voters to avoid literacy tests and poll taxes by claiming their ancestors could vote, further disenfranchising African Americans.
• 😀 The Supreme Court's 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson legalized racial segregation under the doctrine of 'separate but equal,' which remained in place until 1954.
• 😀 Plessy v. Ferguson upheld segregation in public facilities, such as railroad cars, by declaring that separate accommodations were constitutional as long as they were equal.
• 😀 Despite the official end of Reconstruction, the legacy of racial segregation and discrimination continued to shape U.S. society, leading to the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century.

Q & A

What is the meaning of the term 'carpetbagger' as used in the context of post-Civil War Reconstruction?

The term 'carpetbagger' was used by white Southerners to refer to Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War. It was often used pejoratively to imply that these individuals were opportunistic or exploitative, though not all carpetbaggers fit this stereotype.

What was the role of carpetbaggers during Reconstruction?

Carpetbaggers played various roles during Reconstruction. Some sought political power, while others sought economic opportunities in the South. They also helped to staff schools and provide education to formerly enslaved individuals.

What were 'scalawags' and how were they perceived by Southerners?

Scalawags were Southerners who supported Reconstruction and joined the Republican Party, often cooperating with Northern carpetbaggers. They were seen as traitors by many white Southerners who had supported the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Who was General James Longstreet, and why is he mentioned in the context of Reconstruction?

General James Longstreet was a Confederate lieutenant general during the Civil War who later became a 'scalawag' by joining the Republican Party during Reconstruction. His shift in allegiance is an example of the political changes that took place in the South during this period.

What role did the Ku Klux Klan play during Reconstruction?

The Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation to resist Reconstruction and the rights of freedmen. They targeted carpetbaggers, scalawags, and African Americans who were seen as threats to white Southern supremacy.

What is meant by 'Home Rule' in the context of the post-Reconstruction South?

'Home Rule' refers to the period when white Southerners regained control over their state governments after the end of Reconstruction, often through Democratic Party dominance. This led to the dismantling of many Reconstruction-era policies.

What was the significance of the 1876 presidential election in the context of Reconstruction?

The 1876 election was a turning point in Reconstruction. The election was disputed, with both Republicans and Democrats claiming victory. The outcome led to an informal compromise in which Republican Rutherford B. Hayes became president in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

What were Jim Crow laws, and how did they affect African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South?

Jim Crow laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the South. They restricted the rights and freedoms of African Americans, including through mechanisms like literacy tests, poll taxes, and segregation in public facilities.

What was the purpose of the 'grandfather clause' in the South?

The grandfather clause allowed individuals to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes if their ancestors had been eligible to vote. It was designed to disenfranchise African Americans while allowing white voters to avoid these barriers.

How did the Plessy v. Ferguson case impact racial segregation?

The 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case upheld the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing racial segregation in public facilities as long as the separate facilities were deemed equal. This ruling reinforced the system of segregation that was central to Jim Crow laws until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.