Southern Life and Segregation in the Late 19th Century 1-14-26
Major Reasons for Southern Life in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century
Rural Community Dynamics
Predominantly rural community in the New South during the late 19th to early 20th century.
Struggle between leisure (hell raising) and Christian piety.
Example: In Dallas, juxtaposition of a church next to a strip club symbolizes the cultural dichotomy.
Demographics of the Black Population
Over 90% of Southern black Americans lived in the South during the late 19th century.
Understanding this demographic is crucial to grasping Southern culture.
Development of Segregation
Segregation evolved from an informal practice before the Civil War to a formally institutionalized system in the 1880s and 1890s.
Impact of institutional segregation on Southern culture and society.
Dividers of Southern Life
Southern life was divided by race, religion, pleasure pursuits, and rural vs. urban living.
Hunting
Important cultural activity for Southern men, serving both leisure and practical purposes (sources of protein).
Transitioning from boyhood to manhood was marked by hunting milestones (e.g. acquiring a first gun).
Reflects broader themes of masculinity in Southern culture, emphasizing gun ownership.
Illicit Pleasures
Engaging in violence, chance games, cockfighting, bear baiting, gambling, contributed to the thrill of life in the South.
Social Customs and Gatherings
Social activities often grounded in work, including house-raising, quilt-making, and public picnics.
Gender roles clearly defined: men engaged in physical labor, women in domestic tasks.
Importance of community gatherings for social interaction and romantic engagements.
Cultural Significance of Going to Town
Trips to town were special events often occurring on Saturdays, holidays, or court days.
Rural men frequented bars (often dry) for socialization, while women participated in shopping and domestic activities.
Court Week
Served as a form of entertainment; district judge sessions acted as community spectacles.
Vendors and amusement activities provided a carnival-like atmosphere.
Role of the Church
Central to Southern life, serving as a stabilizer and social order custodian.
High rates of Christian devotion amidst congregational isolation spurred limited preacher visits (once or twice a month).
Sermons served both as moral guidance and social interaction (lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours).
By 1870, churches had become racially segregated; the black church functioned as an autonomous institution led by African Americans, nurturing civil rights leaders during the 1950s and 1960s.
Gender segregation within churches; men often assume leadership roles while women dominate attendance.
Churches provided platforms for socializing and potential romantic interactions.
Political Climate Post-Reconstruction
Republican Party controlled governance during Reconstruction; transition began after 1876-77.
Redeemer governments aimed to reclaim control for white supremacists in the South.
Emergence of segregation institutionalization as a response to competition from African Americans and the preservation of the social and economic dominance of whites.
Amendments During Reconstruction
Thirteenth Amendment (1865)
Abolished slavery as an institution.
Clarification: Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 primarily affected Confederate states.
The Thirteenth Amendment broadly ended slavery across the United States.
Fourteenth Amendment
Established birthright citizenship; anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen.
Relevant contemporary implications regarding citizenship debates and naturalization.
Example scenario: If a baby is born to Australian parents in the U.S., the baby obtains American citizenship, causing discussions on immigration policies and the potential revocation of birthright citizenship.
Fifteenth Amendment
Granted voting rights to African American men, excluding Native Americans.
Created tension among women’s suffrage advocates who were not yet granted voting rights themselves.