Reconstruction the South Reconstruction To rebuild The South

Reconstruction & the South Ø Reconstruction- To rebuild Ø The South was an economic, political and social wreck after the Civil War with little food, shelter or clothing. Ø The former slaves were now freedmen but the perceptions of race had not changed Ø Changes were coming that were going to be forced upon them by the North

Reconstruction Ø Many of the freedmen moved away from the South looking for family member, jobs and a safer place to live Ø The South would need to find a new labor force if they were to rebuild their economy. Ø Political actions would have to be taken to 1. protect the freedmen, 2. begin reconstruction, and 3. change the social environment of the South.

1. Protecting the Freedmen § The Freedmen’s Bureau was created by the U. S. Congress to help the freedmen and poor whites obtain food, shelter and clothing also helped establish schools. § The freedmen that remained in the South needed paying work so they returned to doing what they knew-Agriculture § After trying several types of work systems, two primary types were used. § Both involved being paid with a portion of the crop after harvest. Sharecroppers had only their labor to offer while tenant farmers had their own farming equipment.

2. Beginning Reconstruction § Reconstruction of the South was carried out in three phases: Presidential, Congressional and Military Reconstruction § President Lincoln was going to make it easy for the South to rejoin the North. (Presidential Reconstruction) § His plan was referred to as the 10% Plan. 1 - Plan to rebuild Southern states before readmitting them to the Union 2 - 10 percent of white male southerners in state must take loyalty oath 3 - High-ranking Confederate leaders prohibited from taking oath 4 - New state constitutions, seats in Congress when 10 percent reached

2. § § § Reconstruction (cont. ) Andrew Johnson replaces Lincoln after his death and Johnson has ideas similar to Lincoln’s, but tougher demands. Much of his administration is controlled by the Radical Republicans in Congress who impose their will. (Congressional Reconstruction) Requirements for the South: 1 - Ratify Thirteenth Amendment outlawing slavery 2 - Cancel Ordinance of Secession and all wartime debts 3 - Write new constitutions abolishing slavery

2. Reconstruction (cont. ) § Early southern governments form that reflect the racial divide. Freedmen are not allowed to participate. § Black codes are passed that keep freedmen from having their rights § Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (protects freedmen’s rights, blocks black codes) § The 14 th amendment is also passed (to assure citizenship, equal rights for all born in the U. S. ) -excludes Indians § Georgia and other southern states initially refuse to ratify the 14 th amendment

2. Reconstruction (cont. ) § The Radical Republicans wanted to punish the south for the Civil War so Congressional Reconstruction added more requirements. 4 - Southern states must write constitutions, pass Fourteenth Amendment 5 - Confederate officeholders no longer allowed to vote, run for office

2. Reconstruction (cont. ) § Due to the refusal of the southern states to do exactly what was required of them, the military was moved in to enforce compliance. (Military Reconstruction). § The states divided into 5 districts, blacks were registered to vote and black males over the age of 21 were allowed to vote run for office. No Confederate office holders could run or hold office § First time African Americans vote or hold office in Georgia; many whites boycott (knew it wouldn’t be “their”government) § The convention was to be in capital of Milledgeville but hotels would not allow blacks and capital changed to Atlanta.

2. Reconstruction in GA (cont. ) § Georgia whites complain that new government is made up of blacks, carpetbaggers, and scalawags and doesn’t represent them. § The 1868 Constitution • “Republican” Rufus B. Bullock elected governor • Henry Mc. Neal Turner—raised as free man, elected state legislator • 29 African Americans elected to Georgia House, 3 to Senate • Georgia ratifies Fourteenth Amendment, seeks readmission to Union

2. Reconstruction in GA (cont. ) African Americans Removed From Office • White Democrats remove African Americans from legislature, fall 1868 -say new constitution allows them to vote, but not to hold office • African Americans replaced with white Democrats runnersup Ku Klux Klan (KKK) § The Klan, which was formed as a social club for returning confederate officers, uses terror and violence to keep freedmen from voting, exercising rights

2. Reconstruction in GA (cont. ) Georgia Readmitted to Union • The Georgia congress passes Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 -guarantees males voting rights regardless of race, color • Georgia ratifies amendment; is readmitted to Union July 15, 1870 • Democrats control Georgia legislature; Rufus B. Bullock resigns -last Republican governor until Sonny Perdue takes office in 2003 • Federal troops leave Georgia in 1872, Georgia considered “redeemed”

3. Change the social environment § Positive Effects § Negative Effects ü Nation reunited ü Inclusion for freedmen ü One government for “all” people ü 13 th , 14 th , and 15 th Amendments ü Civil Rights Act of 1866 ü No end to racism ü Georgia Government allowed without freedmen included ü The Ku Klux Klan ü The move by the U. S. Government toward business and away from civil rights