Unit VI Terms Flashcards
KKK/White Supremacy
Began in 1866, by veterans in Tennessee, evolved into a terror organisation. In 1867m violence against blacks became much more organised and purposeful. Sought to keep freedmen in subjugation, and frustrate Reconstruction.
Targets: African Americans, “Carpetbaggers”, and Freedmen’s Bureau workers.
Black Codes
Required freedmen to carry passes, observe a curfew, live in housing provided by a landowner and give up hope of entering many desirable occupations. Still vagrancy laws and restrictive labour contracts bound free people to plantations. (In response to 13th Amendment.)
Civil War: Northern Advantage
Considerably more industrialised than the South – rapidly modernising production. Far greater population (22 million vs. 9). Far greater military capacity. More diverse economy, extensive railroad network. Could resupply troops and recruit reinforcement.
Civil War: Southern Advantage
It could fight a defensive war, did not have to invade and conquer the North in order to declare victory. South had rich military tradition, had able generals, and many military men to recruit/draw from.
Battle of Antietam
1862, repelled a Confederate invasion – union victory, though not too much damage was inflicted by Union.
Battle of Gettysburg
1863, important turning point in the war. In Pennsylvania, high-water mark for Confederacy – after battle, Confederacy was in retreat.
Battle of Vicksberg
1863, important union victory. In Mississippi, afterwards, Union forced gained control of the Mississippi River, cutting the Confederacy in two.
Appomattox Court House
April 1865, where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant after the Battle of Appomattox.
Anaconda Plan
First part of the union’s 3 part plan: Navy would blockade Southern ports. Purported to prevent supplies from reaching the South and Southern products being shipped abroad. Part II was to divide Confederate territory by taking control of the Miss. River. PIII was to march on Confederate capital: Richmond, VA.
The Emancipation Proclamation
1862, after union victory of Antietam. Order the freeing of all slaves in revel held territory as of Jan. 1st 1863. Shifted focus of the war from preserving the union to emancipating slaves. Allowed for large scale African American enlistment, and made Confederate states isolated diplomatically.
Gettysburg Address
1863, major turning point. Lincoln’s address at military cemetery framed Civil War in larger context of fulfilling the democratic goals implicit in the founding of the US. “Conceived in liberty,” “all men are created equal.” ensured that there will be “a new birth of freedom.”
William Sherman
Implemented the “scorched earth” policies in conducting total war against the Confederacy.
Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
1861, stated that the Union was indissolvable, thus secession was impossible. Written in spirit of reconciliation, promised that they wouldn’t be the first to attack, but any action/use of arms would be regarded as rebellion. Pledged to occupy all that belonged to gov. (all aimed at South).
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
1865, spoke of how both sides were in the wrong, with what they had imagined the outcome of the war would be. Reminded everyone of the unmistakable evil of slavery. Spoke of healing as a country.
Lincoln’s Assassination
April 1865, actor John booth entered his box and shot him dead.
Lincoln’s 10% Plan
Full pardon for the South if…
10% of the population of a state that seceded takes an oath of allegiance (based on 1860 census).
Emancipation for all slaves in those states.
Wade-Davis Bill
Condition for readmission:
Majority of the state that seceded must take an oath that they never supported the Confederacy.
(Was pocket-vetoed by Lincoln).
Presidential Reconstruction
White southerners were required to swear an oath of loyalty (those of high rank or importance in Confederacy had to ask directly for a pardon from Johnson). Then all could return as before.
13th Amendment
1865, declared slavery or enforced servitude illegal unless as punishment for a crime. (Therefore left a loophole, was taken advantage of by the South, rise in incarcerated African Americans).
14th Amendment
1868, Citizenship for all natural born citizens and full rights to all w/ that citizenship. Confederate leaders barred from serving in state or federal office (a penalty that could only be removed by Congress). Repealed the 3/5 Compromise – up to states to grant black suffrage. Confederate debt declared null and void, US war debt recognised. States must respect rights of citizens/legal progress must happen.
Response to KKK.
15th Amendment
1870, forbade states to deny the right to vote on account of race, colour or previous condition of servitude. Loopholes (like literacy tests) were taken advantage of.
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Counteracted the black codes, forced southern courts to practice equality under scrutiny of federal judiciary, applied to public acts of discrimination. Extension of the Freedmen’s Bureau for another year.
Freedmen’s Bureau
Supplied food, medical services, built several thousand school and some colleges, negotiated several hundred thousand employment contracts between freemen and former masters and managed confiscated land. Unprecedented engagement in federal aid to citizens. Social reform through military operation.
Reconstruction Acts
1867-68
Every southern state was required to ratify the 14th Amendment. Confederate leaders were barred from voting until new state constitutions were ratified. Union generals and give garrisons assumed control in five military sections in the South, supervised elections. Guaranteed freedmen the right to vote in elections, serve in state conventions and elections.
The Enforcement Acts
1870-71
Made it a federal crime to interfere with someone’s civil or political rights (Direct response to KKK, was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court).
Election of African Americans to Office
Voter turnout was huge (over 90%). Black southerners served as state legislators in 1868. A total of 18 African Americans served in office from 68-70, none served as governor or mayor, or high state office. Nonetheless, the myth of the “Negro Rule” emerged.
Industrialisation of the South
Very few factories wanted to move South – had huge workforce in the North. Therefore it was really hard to help the South industrialise or move away from agriculture.
Carpetbaggers and Scallywags
Carpetbaggers: conservative propaganda denouncing North as greedy crooks planning to pour stolen tax revenue into their luggage.
Scallywags: derogatory way of referring to Southerners who supported (or relinquished) to reconstruction instead of opposing it (as in they saw the advantage, the horror).
Return of Democrats
In 1874, began with the Liberal Republican Revolt against the Radicals. Grant was reelected in 1872, but dissatisfaction with his administration grew and in 1874, as popularity of Republican Party declined, Democrats recaptured the House of Representatives.
Slaughterhouse Cases
Began in 1869. Louisiana legislature granted monopoly of slaughter or live stock to one company, rival butchers sued for 14th Amendment individual rights.
Court declared that state citizenship and national citizenship were separate. State citizenship may have different rules.
Election of 1870 and 1872
More democrats and liberal republicans are elected in each perspective section. Want to give South full pardon, pull all troops out and end the Freedmen’s Bureau.
US v. Cruikshank
1876, overruled conviction of two Louisiana whites who attacked a meeting of blacks. Overturned Enforcement Acts of 1870-71.
Poll Tax, Grandfather Clause, Literacy Tests
All were ways around the 15th Amendment and its loopholes – efforts to make it impossible for black men to vote while ensuring all whites could vote.
Election of 1876
Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) wins by ONE electoral college vote, lost the popular vote. He agrees to give federal funds for infrastructure in South and remove all troops in exchange for presidency. End of federal reconstruction.
Plessy v. Fergusson and Jim Crow
1896
“Separate but equal,” not role of government to regulate society – only concerned with civil and political rights and equality of individuals.
Legalised and validated Jim Crow.
Sharecropping
Farmers keep part of their crop and give portion to landowners as payment for living on their property.
Found themselves in increasing debt – ended up giving all their portions to landowners (effectively like slavery).
Compromise of 1877
The unwritten, informal deal between Hayes and Souther Democrats during the 1876 elections (which were very messy).
Panic of 1873
Five years of economic contraction after huge book in capitalism and railroad business. 3 million people lost their jobs and class attitudes diverged. Fight between property rights and “sound money” policies, and easy money sought by the unemployed.
Grantism
Political corruption and greed in government. Many of Grant’s associates took part in price skimming and tax evasion.
Henry Grady’s “The New South”
The South is now a loyal part of the US. Economic diversification is key to prosperity. Proud to be southern. African Americans are going to be the key to new workforce.
