The New South Flashcards
Bourbon Governments
Brinkley pg. 425
These were local governments run by conservatives who held most of the political power and were organized all throughout the South
The term was coined by their critics.
Bourbons often referred to themselves as “Redeemers”
Mainly consisted of white social leaders such as plantation owners, industrialists and merchants
Bourbons combined a commitment to home rule and social conservatisism with a commitment to economic development
What was their significance?
The Readjuster Challenge
Brinkley pg 426
A movement that originated in Virginia and consisted of people opposed to the Bourbon governments.
Fought the cuts in services and debt repayments that Bourbons initiated after taking back the state governments from Republican control
Some movements also called for debt relief and printing of greenbacks (currency not backe by gold or silver)
Wanted to revise debt payment procedures in order to bring economic relief and to make more money availible for public services
Temporarily gained control of government in Vrirginia, but was quickly destroyed by Bourbons
Henry Grady
Brinkley pg 427
Editor of Atlanta Constitution and promoter of a prosperous South through indusrty, others similar to him, but he is most significant due to his speeches
Promoted the virtues of thrift, industry and progess, aspects that were very controversial in the South
A New South enthusiat
A prominent spokesman who apposed white supremecy and was dedicated to a healthy recovery for the South
Convict-lease System
Brinkley pg 429
This was a system which leased convicts to private interests and forced them to work, in most cases, in inhumane conditions
This allowed for some growth in the Southern economy because it provided free labor to companies, the leasing fees went to the state
One major downside to this system however was that it barred other southerners from work and it denied employment in railroad consrtuction other public works projectsto workers searching for pay
Tennant and share croppers
Brinkley pg 429
A process where a farmer would pay a landlord a portion of his annual harvest to work on his land
Many families had no gear so they would borrow and take what they owed out of their harvest as well. This caused many families to fall into a continuos cycle of debt, making it impossible for them to get out of poverty and forcing them into a system similar to slavery.
By 1900 70% of farmers were tenants
The merchants who tenants bought their gear from were normally the landlord creating an imbalance in wealth distribution with the landlord getting very wealthy and the tenants poorer and poorer
Booker T. Washington
Brinkley pg 431
Washington was a man who advocated blacks to improve their postion in society. He was the founder and persident of the Tuskegee Institue an original college for blacks. He was also known for outlining the Atanta Compromise
Advocated that blacks should attend school, learn important skills, and establish a solid footing in agriculture.
He also suggested that blacks refine their speech, improve their dress, and adopt habits of thrift and personal cleanliness
Washington challenged whites who were attempting to keep blacks with no education or rights
Jim Crow Laws
Brinkley pages 431-435
Jim Crows Laws were laws passed in the south that legalized segregation of public facilities
These laws were passed after the court case of Plessy v. Ferguson a court case which argued that seperate facilities for blacks did not deprive blacks of equal rights. This monumental courtcase gave birth to these Jim Crow laws
These laws segregated everything from restaurants and restrooms to the military
Voting restrictions
Brinkley pg 434
There were several ways in which whites hindered blacks from voting including poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather laws, and intimidation by lynchings
Poll taxes hidered blacks from voting because the prices were often to high for most blacks to afford. Also whites taxes were also minimal compared to what blacks had to pay
Literacy tests were another way in which whites restricted black voting. Some communities forced blacks to take literacy tests in order to take the test. These tests were often impossible to pass and again white tests were much easier than the blacks tests
Grandfather laws were laws that required voters to have a grandfather who voted in order to vote. This allowed illiterate whites to vote while still barring blacks
Intimidation was another method th whites used to limit black voting. Threatening someone with a lynching hindered alot of blacks as they were scared for their lives
Ida B. Wells
Brinkley pg. 435
Ida B. Wells was a journalist and documentist who documented lynchings and luached an international anti-lynching movement
Exposed many details of the brutality of lynchings
Gained the substantial support from white women, their goal to gain a federal law which required sufficient punishment for lynchings
Largely unseccessful at making political gains as the white supporters only supported this aspect of black freedom and still wanted blcks to be supressed, regardless, Ida B. Wells took the first steps towards Civil Rights and served as a hero to many
