Reshaping the South

1. Reshaping the South Economics and Politics

2. Focus Question “Nothing in all history equaled this wonderful, quiet, sudden transformation of four millions of human beings from . . . the auction block to the ballot-box.” -William Lloyd Garrison Explain the meaning behind this comment from Garrison. Why was this shift so remarkable?

3. Economic Ruin in the South • The War devastated the Southern economy • Northern blockade cut off foreign trade • Few domestic producers • War cut off internal trade routes • Labor force entirely disrupted

4. Intricate Relationships

5. The Sharecropping System • Based on a single cash crop • Landowner rents the land • Sharecropper pays a portion of the crop • Simple arrangement • In theory, the Sharecropper would eventually be able to purchase the land

6. Cycle of Poverty

7. Sharecroppers Trapped • Tied to the land • Could never save enough to buy the farm • Trapped by Market Forces • Single crop left ‘croppers highly dependent • Contracts drawn up to support landowners • However, they were able to buy some land for their families

8. Freedmen’s Bureau • Agency designed to help former slaves and poor whites • Provided health care, education, and basics • Fueled by Northern abolitionists and Free Blacks • Began during the war • Reauthorization in 1866 vetoed by President Johnson • Veto overridden by Congress

9. Southern Responses • Three states quickly abided by 10% Plan in 1865 • Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas • Elected former Confederates to the House and Senate • Infuriated the North • Refused to seat these congressmen • Sets up an issue with President Johnson

10. Pressing the Issue • Numerous Southern states pass a series of Black Codes • Laws designed to restrict behavior of African-Americans • Draconian work rules • Rules for travel • Rules for public gatherings • Rules for carrying weapons • Clear violation of Civil Liberties

11. Civil Rights Act of 1866 • Both Radical and Moderate Republicans angered • Black Codes attempted to erase the results of the War • Passed the first Civil Rights Act in 1866 • Vetoed by President Johnson • Violated the states rights clause of the Constitution • Ruined his chance to forge a national coalition party • Veto overridden by Congress

12. Showdown • The 1866 elections saw a massive Republican landslide • Veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. • Congress dominated by Radical Republicans • Radicals began to put pressure to remove Johnson • Passed the Tenure of Office Act over his veto • Required Senate approval for a President to fire a cabinet member • Violation of this Act declared a felony

13. Military Reconstruction • Congress Passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 • Placed the former Confederacy under military occupation • Divided into 5 military districts • Civil order kept by U.S. troops • Required new elections of Southern government officials • Required new constitutions which gave Freedmen the vote • Required states to ratify the 14th Amendment

14. Reconstruction Governments • Numerous reforms brought to the South • New state constitutions • Renewed spending on infrastructure • Growth of public schools • Expanding suffrage

16. Freedmen in Southern Politics • Core voters were veterans • By 1867, African-American men could register and vote in all Southern states. • Voting rights guaranteed by the 15th Amendment (1870)

17. Electoral Politics • Several African-Americans elected to office • Seven members of the House • One Senator • One Lieutenant Governor

18. Faced Criticism • Many concerned about the vote for Freedmen • Stereotypical prejudices against African-Americans • Rise of the Ku Klux Klan