Reconstruction
Vocabulary
Reconstruction: Period of massive political, economic, and social rebuilding of the South; follows Civil War
Impeach: Gave Congress the power to remove the president
13th Amendment: Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime
14th Amendment: Gave citizenship to all freemen; also provided guidelines for becoming a naturalized citizen, a person of foreign birth granted full citizenship
15th Amendment: Gave all African American men the right to vote
Jim Crow Laws: Racial segregation laws enacted between 1876 and 1965
Reconstruction: Period of massive political, economic, and social rebuilding of the South; follows Civil War
Impeach: Gave Congress the power to remove the president
13th Amendment: Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime
14th Amendment: Gave citizenship to all freemen; also provided guidelines for becoming a naturalized citizen, a person of foreign birth granted full citizenship
15th Amendment: Gave all African American men the right to vote
Jim Crow Laws: Racial segregation laws enacted between 1876 and 1965
Free Citizens Vote
A Mile in their Shoes
Ex-Confederate SoldierFacts:
1. Scalawags and Carpetbaggers are enemies 2. Slaves are freed 3. Hoping Reconstruction would end to restore family and property Quote: "As I finally make it back to my house after our suffering defeat at the Civil War, I come to find my place in shambles. My family and property destroyed, everything. I don't even know if anyone's still alive. I wouldn't trust those scalawags and carpetbaggers, who care about nothing of the situation. But my only hope is for the Reconstruction to end, so there's a final chance restoring the society." |
CarpetbaggerFacts:
1. Traveled South seeking economic gains in southern Reconstruction governments 2. Worked with scalawags (white southerners supporting Radical Republicans 3. Main business: purchasing properties for taxes, offering small money for farms, and floating loans to freedmen Quote: "Don't get me wrong, Confederates, I'm only just a carpetbagger with a plain bag of carpet coming for business. You may view me with hatred, but have it your way as I do what I must do. I have deals with the scalawags to do anything for the freedmen. For what I've done for the North, the military districts offered me a personal gain. Don't look at me like that, all but economics are none of my concern." |
FreedmanFacts:
1. Freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in the South 2. Concerned with basic survival needs 3. Restricted rights by black codes (laws limiting voting rights, employment, travel, leisure time, etc.) Quote: "I'm finally free! The Union has promised all freedmen everything we need to survive; survival is my important aspect. I began attending school, only to be prohibited by black codes. It's best for me to stay away from selfish carpetbaggers and scalawags, and especially the Ex-Confederates, willing to put us in jail because of our restricted rights and their foul mood." |
WomenFacts:
1. Struggled to keep their properties (working in fields, sewing, cooking, etc.) 2. Scalawags ask for purchase; freedmen ask for work 3. Very little voting rights Quote: "Many women including myself have longed for our husbands' returns. Some may never come back. But our main duties are to take care of our homes, for that's what the men wanted us to do. After the hardships of war, our burden just grew worse as voting rights were established to freedmen, but what about us? There must be a possibility for a woman to vote!" |