Yawp Industrialization II

Summary

This lecture delves into the post-Reconstruction South, focusing on the rise of the 'New South' and its economic development. It explores the persistence of the 'Old South' through Jim Crow laws, which legally segregated blacks and whites in various aspects of life, and the brutal practice of lynching. The lecture also touches on the 'Lost Cause' ideology, which reinterpreted the Civil War as a fight for states' rights rather than the abolition of slavery. Additionally, it discusses the challenges to traditional gender roles, the moral dilemmas posed by wealth disparity, and the evolution of higher education, including the establishment of land-grant universities, the emergence of black colleges, and the changing nature of private institutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture discusses the South's transformation post-Reconstruction, focusing on economic development and the emergence of a 'New South' vision.
• 🏛️ Henry Grady's 1886 speech in New York City marked the birth of a 'New South', emphasizing union, freedom, and economic growth over slavery and secession.
• 🚂 The 'New South' aimed to develop infrastructure like railroads and factories to foster economic growth, diverging from the Old South's agricultural focus.
• 📜 Jim Crow laws legally segregated black and white people in various aspects of life, including education, housing, and transportation, reinforcing racial divisions.
• 🗳️ Voting rights were curtailed through poll taxes and literacy tests, which disproportionately affected black people and the poor, undermining the 15th Amendment.
• 🔪 Lynching was a form of ritualistic murder, predominantly against black men, used as a tool of racial terror and social control.
• 📰 Ida B. Wells was a prominent activist against lynching, using her newspaper to expose the truth behind these acts and advocating for change.
• 🏛️ The 'Lost Cause' ideology reinterpreted the Civil War as a fight for states' rights rather than over slavery, influencing Southern culture and history education.
• 🏫 Higher education expanded with the establishment of land-grant universities and a shift towards more vocational and research-oriented curricula.
• 👨‍🏫 The era saw challenges to traditional gender roles, with women entering the workforce and men experiencing a crisis of identity, leading to societal shifts and reactions.

Q & A

What was Henry Grady's vision of the 'New South'?

Henry Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, envisioned the 'New South' as a region focused on economic development, including the growth of railroads, factories, and industries, moving away from its reliance on slavery and agriculture. He emphasized a South of 'union and freedom,' distinct from the old South of slavery and secession.

How did Jim Crow laws enforce segregation in the South?

Jim Crow laws legally enforced segregation between black and white people in areas such as education, housing, transportation, and public facilities. For example, separate schools, neighborhoods, train cars, and water fountains were mandated by law, not just custom.

What role did lynching play in the South during the late 19th century?

Lynching was a form of ritual murder, primarily targeting black men in the South between 1870 and 1890. It often involved public torture and mutilation, with white spectators gathering to watch and celebrate. Lynchings were a violent expression of white supremacy, with victims accused of minor or fabricated crimes.

Who was Ida B. Wells, and how did she combat lynching?

Ida B. Wells was an African American journalist and activist born in 1862. She started a newspaper in Memphis that exposed the reality of lynchings, arguing that victims were often innocent and not criminals. Her activism made Memphis too dangerous for her, and she relocated to Chicago, where she continued her work and helped found the NAACP.

What was the 'Lost Cause' ideology, and how did it reinterpret the Civil War?

The 'Lost Cause' ideology was a Southern reinterpretation of the Civil War, claiming that the war was fought over states' rights rather than slavery. It sought to depict Confederate soldiers and Southern society in a noble light. This narrative was promoted by groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy through statues, textbooks, and cultural events.

How did the novel 'The Clansman' and the film 'Birth of a Nation' contribute to the Lost Cause mythology?

'The Clansman' by Thomas Dixon depicted the Ku Klux Klan as protectors of white womanhood against black men, portraying the Klan in a heroic light. The novel was adapted into the film 'Birth of a Nation,' which popularized this distorted view of history and was the first film shown at the White House during the Wilson administration.

How did industrialization affect gender roles during this period?

Industrialization challenged traditional gender roles. Women began working in factories and advocating for voting rights, while men increasingly worked desk jobs, which led some to feel emasculated. This shift led to reactions such as the development of muscular Christianity and the YMCA, promoting vigorous outdoor activities to 'reclaim' manhood.

What moral dilemmas did the extreme wealth disparity during industrialization create?

The wealth disparity raised moral questions about how to be good in a society with vast income inequality. For example, Andrew Carnegie's 'Gospel of Wealth' argued that the wealthy should engage in philanthropy by creating opportunities for the poor, such as libraries, rather than simply giving money away.

How did universities and education change during this period?

Universities expanded significantly, partly due to the Morrill Act, which provided land to states for the creation of universities. These new institutions, especially in the West, accepted men and women and began to offer specialized studies in agriculture, engineering, and the sciences, marking a shift from the classical education of earlier private institutions.

What was the significance of black colleges during this time, and who was a prominent figure in their development?

Black colleges were established to provide education for African Americans, who were largely excluded from mainstream institutions. Booker T. Washington played a prominent role in founding Tuskegee Institute, which focused on vocational training for black students, helping them gain practical skills for the workforce.