RESHAPING THE SOUTHEconomics and Politics

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?

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

Intricate RelationshipsPLANTERS FREEDMEN

NEED

HAVE

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

Cycle of Poverty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reconstruction Governments• Numerous reforms brought to the South

• New state constitutions• Renewed spending on infrastructure• Growth of public schools• Expanding suffrage

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)

Electoral Politics• Several African-Americans elected to office

• Seven members of the House• One Senator• One Lieutenant Governor

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