The Reconstruction Era 1865 1877 Table of Contents

The Reconstruction Era 1865 -1877

Table of Contents -GPS -What was the Reconstruction Era? -13 th Amendment -14 th Amendment -15 th Amendment -Reconstruction Amendments Chart -The Freedman’s Bureau -Sharecropping -Farmer vs. Landowner -Statistics on sharecropping in GA -Map of Sharecropping in the South -Math Connection -Jim Crow Laws -Timeline of Events At any point during the production, click the map icon to return to the table of contents.

Georgia Performance Standards SS 5 H 2 The student will analyze the effects of Reconstruction on American life. • a. Describe the purpose of the 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments. • b. Explain the work of the Freedmen’s Bureau. • c. Explain how slavery was replaced by sharecropping and how African-Americans were prevented from exercising their newly won rights; include a discussion of Jim Crow laws and customs.

What was the Reconstruction Era? • After the Civil War and Sherman’s March to the Sea, the South was in extreme need of repair. • The Reconstruction Era focused on how to mend a shackled South and the effects of the emancipation of slaves. • Would slaves have the freedom that they longed for?

13 th Amendment • This amendment officially abolished slavery in America.

th 14 Amendment • This amendment was put in place to provide equal citizenship to all and that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property.

15 th Amendment • This amendment was put in place to prohibit (not allow) the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude. ”

Reconstruction Era Amendments Amendment Meaning 13 th Abolished slavery in America 1865 14 th Equal Citizenship to all (men only) 1868 15 th All men are able to vote without having to pay tolls or take a test. Image Year Ratified 1870

The Freedman’s Bureau • Congress created the Freedman’s Bureau, which was a group whose job was to help the Southern blacks and whites make a smoother transition (change) from slavery to freedom. • It was only successful in helping set up colleges and training schools for blacks. • It did not help much between black and white relationships because Southern white males still felt angry towards blacks.

Sharecropping How would you feel if you were me? • Click the icon below to watch a video about sharecropping. While watching, decide for yourself if this is a primary or secondary account. • Journal Response: After watching this short clip about sharecropping, describe your feelings towards sharecropping. Do you feel it was fair? How would you feel if you were a sharecropper? What would you do as a landowner?

Sharecropping Farmer (Often Black) Received a share -Farmed the land. of crops -Required to buy feed, materials, etc. and care for the farm. although the landowner’s share was more. Landowner -Assigned each family a small area of land to farm. -Able to still have labor (in similar form to slavery)

1880 Georgia State Farms Percentage of GA Farms With and Without Sharecropping 80% 68% 70% 60% Sharecropper Farms 50% 40% 32% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1880 Non Sharecropping Farms Sharecropper Farms 68% 32% Non Sharecropping Farms

Map of Sharecropped Farms

Math Connection • The New Georgia Encyclopedia states that “By 1910 sharecroppers operated 37 percent of the state’s 291, 027 farms. ” • Challenge: Using the information above, figure out the number of farms that weren’t operated by sharecroppers. • Stumped? Hint: Find out how much 37% of 291, 027 is. Remember the relationship between decimals and percentages.

What were Jim Crow Laws? • Jim Crow laws made all public places, “separate but equal”. Blacks and whites could not go to school together, use the same water fountain, or ride the same public transportation. • Visit for more information about Jim Crow Laws and their effects on racial oppression and segregation that would haunt America for decades to come.

1865 A Timeline of the Reconstruction Era • Reconstruction Era Begins 1865 • 13 th Amendment abolishing slavery is ratified 1865 • Freedman’s Bureau is created by Congress 1868 • 14 th Amendment declaring equal citizenship is ratified 1870 • 15 th Amendment is ratified allowing all men, white and black to vote without paying a toll or passing a literacy exam. 1877 • Reconstruction Comes to an End