Post-Civil War South: Economy, Segregation, and Civil Rights

Who promoted the idea of a 'New South'?

Southern leaders and politicians after the Civil War.

What changes were southern leaders calling for after the Civil War?

Economic diversification and industrial growth.

What industries grew in the South between 1880-1890?

Textiles, tobacco, and steel industries.

What happened to railroad trackage in the South after the Civil War?

Railroad trackage expanded significantly.

What happened to coal production in the South during this period?

Coal production increased as industries grew.

Did the South catch up with the North economically after the Civil War?

No, the South remained economically behind the North.

How did sharecropping work?

Farmers worked land owned by someone else in exchange for a share of the crops.

Why did many families remain in debt under sharecropping?

High interest rates and poor crop yields kept them in a cycle of debt.

Who owned most of the farmland in the South by 1890?

Wealthy white landowners.

What was the purpose of literacy tests?

To disenfranchise Black voters by requiring reading skills.

What was the purpose of poll taxes?

To restrict voting rights by imposing a fee to vote.

What was the 'grandfather clause'?

A law allowing individuals to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes if their grandfathers had the right to vote before the Civil War.

How did new voting rules affect Black voter registration?

They significantly decreased Black voter registration.

What types of public places were segregated under Jim Crow?

Schools, transportation, restrooms, and restaurants.

How did segregation affect everyday life for African Americans?

It enforced racial discrimination and limited access to services.

What did the Supreme Court rule about private discrimination in 1883?

The Court ruled that private discrimination was permissible.

What did Plessy v. Ferguson legalize?

The legality of racial segregation under the doctrine of 'separate but equal.'

'Separate but equal' means what?

Racially separated facilities could be considered equal.

How were lynchings used during this time?

As a tool of racial terror to intimidate Black communities.

What message did violence send to Black voters?

It discouraged them from voting and participating in politics.

Who was Benjamin Tillman, and what did he say about Black Americans?

A Southern politician who advocated for white supremacy and opposed Black rights.

What were minstrel shows?

Performances that mocked African Americans, often featuring white actors in blackface.

How did blackface performances portray African Americans?

They perpetuated racist stereotypes and caricatures.

How did early films influence racial attitudes?

They often reinforced negative stereotypes of African Americans.

What did Booker T. Washington believe African Americans should focus on first?

Vocational education and economic self-reliance.

What did W.E.B. Du Bois believe needed to happen immediately?

Political and civil rights for African Americans.

How did the ideas of Washington and Du Bois differ?

Washington advocated for gradual progress, while Du Bois called for immediate equality.

Why did Ida B. Wells begin her anti-lynching crusade?

To combat the violence and injustice faced by African Americans.

How did Wells fight against lynching?

Through journalism, public speaking, and organizing campaigns.

What organizations was Ida B. Wells involved in?

The NAACP and various women's rights organizations.

Why were Black churches important during this time?

They served as community centers and provided support and leadership.

What types of businesses were created in segregated Black communities?

Grocery stores, barber shops, and other local services.

What was the Greenwood District known as?

Black Wall Street, a prosperous African American community.

What services did the Freedmen's Bureau provide?

Education, healthcare, and assistance in finding jobs.

Who directed the Freedmen's Bureau?

General Oliver O. Howard.

Why was the Freedmen's Bureau shut down?

Due to lack of funding and political opposition.

Who was the first African American U.S. senator?

Hiram Revels.

Who was the first African American elected to the U.S. House?

Joseph Rainey.

About how many Black men held political office during Reconstruction?

Approximately 2,000.

Why did these political gains not last?

Due to the rise of Jim Crow laws and systemic racism.

What did Black Codes allow officials to do?

Restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans.

What jobs were African Americans often restricted to?

Low-paying labor jobs and domestic work.

What strategies did the KKK use to intimidate Black voters?

Violence, threats, and lynching.

What were the Force Acts designed to do?

Protect African Americans' voting rights and suppress KKK violence.

How did federal troops play a role in Reconstruction?

They enforced laws and protected African Americans' rights.

What compromise officially ended Reconstruction?

The Compromise of 1877.

What happened after federal troops left the South?

The South saw a resurgence of white supremacy and Jim Crow laws.

What laws grew stronger as a result of the end of Reconstruction?

Jim Crow laws and Black Codes.