American Yawp 1

What was Reconstruction 1863-1877

The period after the civil war focused on reuniting the nation and defining the rights of formerly enslaved people

Lincoln’s Plan

• allowed southern states to rejoin the union once 10% of voters took an oath of loyalty

The Emancipation Proclamation

freed enslaved people only in states rebelling — not in border states still in the Union

13th Amendment

Passed in 1865; abolished slavery everywhere (except as punishment after conviction)

After Lincoln’s Assassination

• Andrew Johnson became president

• his reconstruction waas lenient and allowed many former Confederates back into power

• Southern states passed Black codes

Black Codes

Laws that restricted Black freedom (limited rights, labor contracts, vagrancy laws)

Congress steps in:

Radical Republicans passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866

• congress divided the South into military districts and required new state constitutions that enfranchised Black men before readmission

14th Amendment (1868)

Guaranteed birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law

• newly enfranchised Black voters helped elect Republicans in the South

15th Amendment

Prohibited denying the right to vote based on race (for men)

Freedpeople wanted:

land, families, education, and control of their own lives

Special Field Order #15

Sherman’s plan for land for freedpeople.

• Never fully implemented, and later policies restored land to white owners

• freedpeople focused on reuniting families seperated by slavery and forming legal marriagies

The American Equal Rights Association

• formed, seeking universal suffrage for both Black people and women

What were the main goals of Reconstruction

Rebuild the south, reintegrate Confederate states, and determine the legal status and rights of freedpeople

How did African Americans participate in politics during reconstruction?

They voted, held public office, and helped build republican governments in the South

What institutions were created to help freedpeople?

Public schools, churches, and mutual aid organizations

What vrole did the Ku Klux Klan play

Used terror and violence to suppress Black voting and republican leadership

How did violence affect Reconstruction?

It weakened enforcement of civil rights and discourgaed political participation

When did reconstruction end ?

1877

Why did reconstruction end?

Northern fatigue, economic issues, poliical compromise and withdrawl of federal troops

Who were the “redeemers”

White southern democrats who regained control and dismantled reconstruction reforms

Reconstructions biggest success?

Ending Slavery and establishing constitutional rights for African Americans

Reconstructions biggest failure

It did not secure long-term racial equality or protect civil rights

What is the main focus of Chapter 1 in Contending voices

competing visions for the South after the civil war, especially over race, political power, and the meaning of reconstruction

Why is the chapter called “Race and Redemption”?

Because it explores racial conflict and the idea of “redemption” which meant regaining white political control in the South

Who was Robert Smalls

a formerly enslaved man who became a Civil War hero and later a political leader during reconstruction

What did Robert Smalls believe Reconstruction should accomplish?

Full citizenship, voting rights, and political equality for African Americans

How did Smalls represent Black leadership during reconstruction?

He showed that African Americans could participate in government and shape Southern society

Why was Robert Smalls significant historically?

He symbolized Black progress and the possibilities created by Reconstruction reforms

Who was Wade Hampton

A wealthy white Southerner and former Confederate general who became a leader of the “Redeemer” movement

What did Wade Hampton mean by “redemption”?

Restoring white Democratic control in Southern governments and ending Reconstruction policies

How did Hampton view Reconstruction governments?

As corrupt, illegitimate, imposed by the federal government

Who supported Hampton’s vision?

White Southern Democrats who wanted to regain political and social dominance

How did Smalls and Hampton disagree about the future of the South?

Smalls supported racial equality and Black political participation, while Hampton supported white control and limited Black rights

What does the conflict between Smalls and Hampton show and Reconstruction?

Reconstruction was deeply contested and involved struggles over power, race and citizenship.

Who were “Redeemers”?

White Southern Democrats who sought to overthrow Reconstruction governments.

What happened when Redeemers regained power?

Many Reconstruction reforms were rolled back, and African American rights were weakened.

How did the end of Reconstruction affect African Americans?

Political participation declined and racial inequality increased

Andrew Carnegie

Carnegie Steel Co.

• Bessemer Process: refining steel from iron ore

Vertical Integration

the combination in one company of two or more stages of production normally operated by separate companies.

Horizontal Integration

growth strategy where a company acquires or merges with competitors operating at the same stage of the value chain within the same industry

John D Rockefeller

Standard Oil Company: Kerosene oil then gasoline

J.P. Morgan

Created U.S steel

• purchased carnegie steel in 1901 and combined w other plants

What marked the beginning of modern labor conflict in the US?

The great railroad strike of 1877, when workers nationwide protested wage cuts and clashed with militias and federal troops

Why did industrial labor unrest grow after the Civil War?

Rapid industrialization, long hours, unsafe working conditions, and low pay pushed workers to organize for better rights

What major economic change transformed U.S. industry after the Civil War?

Massive industrialization through new technologies, mass production, and national markets

What is Taylorism?

A system of scientific management that divided labor into simple, repeatable tasks to increase efficiency

What economic form became most important to industrial growth?

The corporation, which allowed investors to pool large amounts of capital with limited liability

What resulted from the “Great Merger Movement” of 1895-1904

Thousands of companies consolidated into huge firms that dominated many industries (like U.S. Steel)

What label is given to the late 1800s because of huge wealth alongside widespread poverty?

The Gilded Age ( a term meaning glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath)

Who were considered the “robber barons”?

Extremely wealthy industrial leaders like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, John D Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan

What ideology justified vast inequality during this era?

Social Darwinism — the idea that competiton and inequality were “natural” and beneficial

What was the first major industrial union that united skilled and unskilled workers

The Knights of Labor

What did the Knights of Labor advocate?

Worker unity, cooperatives, and broad goals like fair pay and reduced hours

What was the significance of the Haymarket Riot (1886)?

A bomb at a labor rally in Chicago led to violence and the association of unions with radicalism, hurting labor support

Which Union replaced the Knights as the main labor organization?

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) — focused on skilled workers and practical goals (higher wages, fewer hours).

What happened at Homestead, Pennsylvania (1892)?

A violent strike at Carnegie’s steel plant; state militia broke the strike and weakened the union.

What was the Pullman Strike (1894)?

A nationwide railway strike that was broken by federal troops, and its leader Eugene Debs was jailed, radicalizing him.

Why did farmers organize in the late 1800s

Falling crop prices, rising debt, and unfair railroad and banking practices.

What political party represented farmers and labor at the turn of the century?

The people’s party ( or Populist Party)

What did the Omaha Platform call for?

Government ownership of railroads/telegraphs, banks, warehouses, and bimetallism (silver + gold currency)

Who was William Jennings Bryan and what was his famous speech about?

A Democratic/Populist presidential nominee known for the “Cross of Gold” speech, arguing against the gold standard.

Why did labor and farmer movements grow in this era?

Rapid industrial growth created inequality, harsh conditions for workers, and economic pressures for farmers

How did government typically respond to labor strikes in this period?

With force — state militias or federal troops often broke strikes

Labor Unions

social movement for better working conditions and fair pay

Industrial union

everyone in an industry despite skill and pay

Urbanization

Industrialism + Immigration

What industry helped create a national economy by linking regions of the United States after the Civil War?

The railroad industry

How did railroads contribute to time zones?

Railroads needed a standardized schedule, leading to the creation of uniform time zones

What was one major effect of technological innovation in this period?

New technologies like electric power and motion pictures changed both industry and everyday life

Why did so many immigrants come to the United States between 1870-1920?

They came seeking work and opportunity in the rapidly growing industrial economy.

What kind of neighborhoods did many immigrants form in American cities?

Ethnic neighborhoods where they kept traditions and built supportive communities

What were political machines like Tammany Hall known for?

They helped immigrants in exchange for political loyalty, combining services with corruption

What new forms of mass entertainment became popular around 1900?

Vaudeville, phonographs and motion pictures.

Why were technologies like the phonograph and motion pictures important to culture?

They spread music and film to wide audiences, helping create a mass entertainment culture

What were two major transformations in America by the early 20th century?

Industrial economic growth and mass urbanization

What were some social challenges created by industrialization?

Inequality, crowded cities, and cultural conflicts.

What caused the rise of labor unions during the Gilded Age?

The growth of factories, corporations, and big business led to worker exploitation.

What problems did workers face?

Low wages, long hours, unsafe conditions, child labor, and job insecurity

Why were unions necessary?

To give workers collective power against corporations

Who was Terence Powderly?

Leader of the Knights of labor

How did Powderly view the wage system?

He believed it was “wage slavery”

Who could join the Knights of Labor?

Skilled and unskilled workers, women, and immigrant, and African Americans

What were the Knights’ main goals?

Cooperation, fair wages, shorter hours, workplace safety, equality, and reform.

What was Powderly’s solution to worker exploitation?

Worker-owned cooperatives

Who was Samuel Gompers?

Leader of the American Federation of Labor

What was Gompers main union philosophy?

Practical, immediate improvements

What did “more, more, here and now” mean?

Higher wages and better conditions immediately

Who did AFL organize?

white skilled craft workers

Why did Gompers avoid radical social change?

He believed gradual progress was more effective

How were Powderly and Gompers similar?

Both supported unions and wanted to improve workers’ lives

How were they different?

Powderly wanted broad social reform; Gompers wanted practical gains

Who supported cooperatives

Powderly

Who focused on skilled workers

Gompers

What did Gompers believe about women working for wages?

He believed it harmed families and lowered wages

What did steel industry reports show?

Dangerous conditions, long hours, and weak protections

Why was unionizing steel workers difficult?

Employer power and failed strikes weakened unions

What changes after the Civil War accelerated westward expansion?

Railroads, land policies, mining and military support

What was the Homestead Act and why was it important?

Gave settlers free land to encourage western settlement

How did mining and the bison slaughter affect settlement?

Mining brought settlers'; bison loss weakened Plains Indians

What caused the Indian Wars?

Settlers invading Native land and broken treaties