Reconstruction Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is Caroline Emberton’s concept for ‘Redemption’ in relation to Southern whites?
The movement to reclaim white power and culture in the South due to anger at the war defeat. (by reclaiming state government)
What is Caroline Emberton’s concept for ‘Redemption’ in relation to AAs and the North
To atone for the sins of slavery and give meaning to the victory achieved by the Union
What are the three main themes on Reconstruction?
Congressional Reconstruction, Presidential Reconstruction, Role of Violence
Who are the key figures in Presidential Reconstruction?
Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson
Who are the key figures in Congressional Reconstruction?
Radical Republicans in Congress
What is the core thesis on this subject?
The South won Reconstruction by reversing federal progress through legal, political but most importantly violent means
What was Lincoln’s 10% plan?
Confederate states could re-enter Union if 10% of voters swore loyalty to the Union and accepted Emancipation Proclamation
What did President Johnson’s amnesty programme do?
Restored rights and property to Southern rebels (except slaves)
What were the Black Codes?
Facilitated by Johnson, state laws which restricted the freedoms of African Americans, maintaining a labour system similar to slavery.
How did freedman Bayley Wyatt describe Johnson’s betrayal?
“He is not our friend… we are now turned back to the old taskmasters”
What did the Reconstruction Acts of 1867-68 do?
The Confederate States now had to accept the 13th, 14th amendments and write new constitutions before re-admission.
What did the 14th amendment do?
Granted equal protection for African Americans under the law and the right to citizenship
What did the 15th amendment do?
Guaranteed equal voting rights for all men
Why was Congressional reform ultimately limited?
Reliant on military enforcement and Northern willpower which waned as white Southerners asserted violence and regained political power
What was the purpose of violence during Reconstruction?
To reassert white control, keep AAs subjugated in a position alike to slavery.
Name two early examples of violence against Freedmen
Memphis massacre (1866, unprovoked attack by white mob) and New Orleans massacre (1866, attack on AA peaceful demonstration)
What does Caroline Emberton say about ‘Redemption’ in regard to violence?
White Southerners saw violence as a form of spiritual and political atonement for war defeat and AA emancipation
What ended Congressional enforcement of Reconstruction policies?
President Hayes’ withdrawal of federal troops from the South (Compromise of 1877)
Name a later example of violence against Freedmen
Coflax Massacure of 1873 (over 100 killed)
What did AA Thaddeus Stevens (Republican) say about Reconstruction?
“a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purge the republic of the legacy of slavery” and guarantee rights
How does Eric Foner reflect on Reconstruction?
Reconstruction failed, and for AAs “a disaster whose magnitude cannot be obscured
by the accomplishments that endured.”
How does Brooks D. Simpson describe Reconstruction?
It was a “mission impossible” (it was a misguided experiment and should not have been carried out the way it was)
What does Kidada E. Williams describe Reconstruction?
It was an “all out war on freedom” to undo emancipation gains
Who was the first African American governor?
P.B.S. Pinchback (gov of Louisiana, lasted 5 weeks due to backlash)
