Section One: Social, regional and ethnic divisions: divisions within and between North, South and West; the position of African Americans (1865-90)

Question 1

Economic divisions

between North and South

Answer 1

1. Larger population in North (immigrants)
2. North had large towns and cities but South was rural
3. North industralised (increase in trade, transport) lead to growth of industries (textiles, engineering)
4. South remained rural in terms of industry- agricultural, cotton, tobacco, rice
5. South fell into debt due to global cotton price competition. South dependent on North to market and sell their products, felt they were exploited by North due to profits they made
6. Differing opinions on trade- South wanted free trade with Britain, North favoured tariffs.

Question 2

Social divisions (between North and South)

Answer 2

1. Southern principles based on slavery, WASP, Christianity
2. Southerners tended to resent change
3. Northern principles based on free labour, liberty and more puritanical Christianity
4. North generally better educated and more willing to accept change
5. North saw South as backwards. South saw North as aggressive.

Question 3

Political divisions (between North and South)

Answer 3

1. Southern states and Democrats wanted to keep the power in the states. Wanted Congress and President to have less power to protect their interests e.g. slavery
2. North and politicians were supportive of the rise in power of Congress and the President, wanted states to have less legislative power and influence.

Question 4

Position of African Americans

Answer 4

1. 4 million emancipated
2. So many African Americans in the South, 2 black senators and 20 black representatives were elected to Congress.
3. Little influence politically. Republicans put forward white representatives to gain white vote, as they were sure they had the black vote.
4. Most became sharecroppers during the 1870s, having little education and skills. Economic hardship and debt.
5. Small but increasing number of black men became doctors, lawyers and teachers. Schools were inferior to those of white counterparts, but African American were now being educated allowing for future development.
6. Some welcomed segregation as they did not want to mix with white population.

Question 5

KKK

Answer 5

Established in 1866 and comprised of white racists who terrorised black population, especially in the South.

African American churches, schools and those who held public office targets.

Corruption- often jury members were Klansmen so justice was impossible. Intimidation meant witnesses to scared to testify.

The White League set up in 1873 after the Colfax massacre.

Question 6

Conflict with Native Americans (Divisions in the West)

Answer 6

From 1860s US policy attracted settlers to the West so Native Americans were gradually removed from their traditional lands.

By 1860s several tribes, Sioux and Cheyenne, were hostile to white settlers on Plains and the army. Army stationed in the Plains to offer protection to wagon trains and settlers in areas where the Natives were hostile.

Question 7

The Great Sioux War 1876

Answer 7

Discovery of gold in the Black Hills of Dakota and gold prospectors poured into Native territory. US government tried to keep them out but too many settlers.

US government offered $6 million to Natives but failed.

Demanded all Natives go to reservations. Many ignored this threat.

US army wiped out Native Americans.

Question 8

Reservation policy

Answer 8

“Americanise” the Natives who were seen as savages. Separated from life of hunting for buffalo, tribal life destroyed. Achieved by a process of Christianity and by training them to be farmers.

Extremely harsh life: land impossible to cultivate, people starved due to dependence on government for food, clothing and shelter humiliating.

Some Native American agents on reservations corrupt and used government resources for their own ends.

Question 9

The Sand Creek Massacre 1864

Answer 9

No fighting during Civil War west of the Mississippi, so regular soldiers withdrawn from Plains to the East. Replaced by volunteers who were untrained and ill-disciplined.

Led to numbers of brutal atrocities like the massacre. A force of 700 troops of cavalry attacked an undefended camp of the Cheyenne tribe, killing and mutilating elderly men, women and children.

Question 10

The Battle of the Little Bighorn, 25th June 1876

Answer 10

George Custer and his men sent to round up Sioux and Cheyenne tribes who had left the Great Sioux reservation and were refusing orders by authorities to return.

Without waiting for the rest of the force to arrive, Custer divided his men into three units and attempted to encircle the encampment of the Natives. His unit of 200 was quickly under fire and were all killed.