Unit 6 Test Review Notes

Unit 6 Test Review Notes

1. Carpetbaggers vs. Scalawags

  • Carpetbaggers:

    • Definition: Northern transplants who came to the South after the Civil War, often perceived as exploiting the local populace.

    • Characteristics: Typically associated with the Republican Party, they sought to gain political power and economic opportunity in the post-war South.

  • Scalawags:

    • Definition: Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party.

    • Characteristics: Viewed with contempt by other Southerners; motivations could include a desire for economic advancement or a genuine belief in Reconstruction ideals.

2. Reconstruction Act

  • Definition: A series of laws passed in 1867 that aimed to reorganize the Southern states after the Civil War.

  • Key Points:

    • Divided the South into five military districts governed by Union generals.

    • Required southern states to create new constitutions guaranteeing African American male suffrage.

    • Set conditions for the re-admittance of states into the Union.

3. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

  • 13th Amendment:

    • Definition: Abolished slavery in the United States.

    • Ratified: December 6, 1865.

    • Significant Outcome: Freed millions of enslaved people.

  • 14th Amendment:

    • Definition: Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and ensured equal protection under the laws.

    • Ratified: July 9, 1868.

    • Key Clause: Introduced the Equal Protection Clause.

  • 15th Amendment:

    • Definition: Prohibited the federal and state governments from denying a citizen's right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

    • Ratified: February 3, 1870.

4. Institutions/Groups Emerging to Help Newly Freed Slaves

  • Freedmen's Bureau:

    • Purpose: Established in 1865 to assist freed slaves by providing food, housing, education, and medical care.

  • Churches:

    • Role: Established independent African American churches that provided community resources.

  • Educational Institutions:

    • Examples: Schools set up by various organizations, such as the American Missionary Association, to educate former slaves.

5. Institutions/Groups Emerging to Hinder Newly Freed Slaves

  • Ku Klux Klan:

    • Definition: A secret organization formed in the South in the 1860s that employed terror to intimidate African Americans and their allies.

  • Black Codes:

    • Definition: Laws passed in Southern states to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans.

    • Examples: Laws limiting voting rights and imposing severe restrictions on employment.

6. Sharecropping

  • Definition: An agricultural system that allowed landowners to rent their land to tenants (often formerly enslaved individuals) in exchange for a share of the harvested crops.

  • Negative Consequences for Freed People:

    • Limited economic mobility: Sharecroppers often fell into debt due to high rents and prices for supplies, leading to a cycle of poverty.

    • Lack of independence: Freed people remained under the control of white landowners.

7. Opportunities for Black Men During Reconstruction

  • Political Participation:

    • Many Black men were able to vote and hold office during the early years of Reconstruction, benefiting from Northern oversight.

  • Economic Opportunities:

    • Temporary job opportunities emerged in agriculture and some industries, supported by Northern funding and policies.

8. Reasons for the Failure of Reconstruction

  • Withdrawal of Federal Troops:

    • Compromise of 1877 resulted in the removal of federal troops from the South, leading to the resurgence of white supremacy.

  • Economic Challenges:

    • Economic distress in the North shifted focus away from Reconstruction efforts.

  • Racism and Resistance:

    • Widespread racial violence and discriminatory laws undermined the progress made during Reconstruction.

9. Plessy v. Ferguson

  • Case Overview:

    • Supreme Court case (1896) that upheld racial segregation laws for public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal."

  • Impact on African Americans:

    • Legitimized state laws reestablishing racial segregation; reinforced Jim Crow laws, significantly hindering the civil rights of African Americans.

10. Populists

  • Definition: A political movement that emerged in the late 19th century representing the interests of farmers and laborers, advocating for reform.

  • Characteristics of Populists:

    • Often came from agrarian backgrounds; typically lower to middle-class citizens disillusioned with economic conditions.

    • Sought government intervention in the economy.

11. Populist Goals

  • Goals include:

    • Direct election of U.S. Senators to increase democratic participation.

    • Graduated income tax to reduce income inequality.

    • Regulation of railroads and monopolies to protect small farmers and workers.

    • Establishment of government-owned warehouses for farmers to store crops.