Overview
This lecture covers the Reconstruction era (1865–1877) after the American Civil War, focusing on the challenges of defining freedom for former slaves, the shifting policies towards black citizens, and the eventual end of Reconstruction.
Defining Freedom After Emancipation
- The Civil War ended slavery, but the meaning of freedom for black people was unclear.
- Freed people prioritized reuniting families separated by slavery.
- Land ownership was seen as essential for independence and security.
- Black families aimed to avoid returning to cotton plantation labor, associating it with their enslavement.
- Sherman’s Field Order No. 15 promised 40 acres and a mule, briefly raising hopes for black land ownership.
Education, Religion, and Community
- Freed people valued access to education and self-directed religious practice.
- The Freedmen’s Bureau (1865) established hundreds of public schools in the South for both black and poor white students.
- Independent black churches became community centers for worship, political meetings, and mutual aid.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865–1867)
- President Andrew Johnson’s lenient policies quickly restored southern state governments with minimal conditions.
- Former Confederates, except top leaders, regained rights after loyalty oaths and pardons.
- Johnson revoked Sherman’s land grants, returning sea island lands to former slaveholders and forcing blacks into labor contracts.
- Southern states enacted Black Codes—laws restricting black freedoms and enforcing white dominance.
- Racial violence and riots (e.g., Memphis, New Orleans, 1866) increased.
Congressional and Radical Reconstruction
- Congress clashed with Johnson, passing the Civil Rights Bill over his veto and sending the 14th Amendment for ratification.
- The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all born in the US and protected rights regardless of race.
- Radical Republicans gained power, establishing military occupation in the South and granting black men the right to vote and hold office.
- Black political participation surged; notable figures included Hiram Revels and John R. Lynch.
Backlash and End of Reconstruction
- The rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan led to widespread violence against blacks and Republicans.
- The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denying voting rights based on race, but enforcement was weak.
- Economic crisis (Panic of 1873) shifted northern focus away from southern black rights.
- "Redemption" saw Democrats regaining control, marked by violence and voter suppression.
The Compromise of 1877 and Aftermath
- The 1876 presidential election was resolved by the Compromise of 1877: Republicans won the presidency in exchange for ending federal intervention in the South.
- Reconstruction ended, leading to the imposition of Jim Crow segregation and disenfranchisement.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Reconstruction — The period post-Civil War when the US attempted to reintegrate southern states and redefine black citizenship.
- Freedmen’s Bureau — Federal agency providing aid, education, and legal help to former slaves.
- Black Codes — Southern laws restricting black rights and freedoms after the Civil War.
- Radical Republicans — Faction in Congress advocating full civil and political rights for blacks.
- 14th Amendment — Guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law.
- 15th Amendment — Prohibited denying voting rights based on race.
- Carpetbaggers — Northerners who moved South during Reconstruction, often for personal gain.
- Scalawags — Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party.
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK) — Secret society using violence to restore white dominance in the South.
- Compromise of 1877 — Deal ending Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the key Constitutional amendments (13th, 14th, 15th).
- Read primary sources on the Freedmen’s Bureau and Black Codes.
- Prepare for a discussion on the causes and effects of the end of Reconstruction.