Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Reconstruction Notes 2 01/03/08

Excellent Military Strategists

From Ohio

Poor Judge of Character

Corrupt Cabinet

Alcoholic

Passionate cigar smoker

Brought in 15 Amendment

Voters could not be denied the right to vote based on their "race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

Blacks granted the right to vote

Expands republican party voter turn out

Half a million blacks voted

Illiterate

By 1870, all former states back in the Union

Brought military presence into the South

Tennessee joins Union right at the start of the war

Scalawags-White Southerners sympathetic to Reconstruction, "traitors" to the South

Carpet Baggers-Northerners who moved to the South to reap the benefits

African Americans-Eager to vote, illiterate, educated with the help of Freedmen's Bureau.

Low interest loans

Ku Klux Klan

Most Southern whites use nonviolent economic pressure to keep blacks in their place

Minority of Southern whites actively resist, respond with violence

KKK vigilante group acts in secrecy to intimidate blacks and supporters

Nathan Bedford Forrest, civil war general + imperial Wizard of the KKK

Despite gains for blacks, intense southern opposition evident in terror groups (KKK), suspicion of northerners true interests, and a general loss of interest limited change

Southern whites actively resist change

Instances of violence increase as blacks go to the polls

Despite Southern resistance, Republican party strong, making improvements

Weakens because of Grant and radicals

Southern Democrats gain political power.

Democrats strike politcal deal to withdraw federal troops from the south in exchange for election of Pres. Hayes.

Reconstruction ends. Success or failure?

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