Racial Advancements and Tensions

Reconstruction Reconstruction – a period of time after the end of the Civil War when the federal government protected the rights of newly freed slaves

Purpose of Reconstruction NOT meant to rebuild the Southern economy Reconstructed southern society so that: African Americans could have a role as free citizens Southern states could be fully involved in the national government

Abraham Lincoln Never recognized that South Carolina and the rest of the south had seceded from the Union

First Reconstruction Plan Proposed by Abraham Lincoln Confederate leaders were still in power They did not protect the rights of newly freed slaves

13th Amendment South Carolina ratified the 13th amendment which granted slaves their freedom. However, SC leaders passed Black Codes – laws that restricted the rights of freed slaves so that they were free in name only

Second Reconstruction Plan Was passed by Congress Stripped the power from the former Confederate leaders

14th Amendment SC was forced to ratify the 14th amendment which recognized the right of African Americans to be treated as citizens of the US. The state also had to write a new state constitution that recognized these rights.

Rights of African Americans Many African Americans were elected to serve in the convention that wrote the new South Carolina constitution.

15th Amendment Congress also passed the 15th Amendment which guaranteed African Americans the right to vote.

End of Day 1

Racial Tensions

South Carolina’s Resentment The SC elite resented the national interference and the political roles that African Americans could now play in the state government.

South Carolina’s Resentment SC whites called anyone who cooperated with the state government a “scalawag.”

South Carolina’s Resentment SC whites also called northerners who came to the South as missionaries or for economic opportunities “carpetbaggers.”

South Carolina’s Resentment They accused “carpetbaggers” of trying to take advantage of the troubles of the state after the war. Although some were corrupt, many made positive contributions to the state.

Racial Tensions Increased as African Americans gained rights and opportunities Many whites refused to participate in the state government so long as African Americans were able to vote and hold office.

Klu Klux Klan Some South Carolinians resented the freedmen and tried to intimidate them by burning their homes and churches so that they would not vote or exercise their rights.

Klu Klux Klan They were active in South Carolina, especially in the upcountry. Some killed African Americans and their white supporters. The national government wasn’t able to eliminate the Klan.

Public Education System The new state constitution required the establishment of the public education system.

Public Education System Positive: Enabled poor whites and former slaves to get an education

Public Education System Negatives: It intensified racial tensions because whites did not want to go to school with African Americans Two separate school systems were created These segregated schools were not equal.

Economic Changes It took a while for the economy to change after the Civil War. Fertile land and a suitable climate for agriculture meant that cotton would continue to be a dominant crop. Sharecroppers provided the labor.

Economic Changes However, farmers were soon caught in a cycle of debt and poverty. By the end of the 21st century, entrepreneurs began to build textile mills in the state.

Economic Changes The availability of natural resources, such as swift flowing rivers, impacted the states recovery. Textile mills used water power to run the machines that turned cotton into cloth.