Reconstruction in Georgia SS8H6c. Analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia and other southern states, emphasizing Freedmen’s Bureau; sharecropping and tenant farming; Reconstruction plans; 13th , 14th, and 15th amendments to the constitution; Henry McNeal Turner and black legislators; and the Ku Klux Klan

Think, Pair, Share What do you think Reconstruction means? How does it apply to the United States of America after the Civil War?

Reconstructing the Nation Once the Civil War had ended the main question being asked was… Now what? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What are we going to do? The U.S. had to go through the process of Reconstruction Reconstruction was the way to allow the Southern states back into the Union It also included finding ways to help former slaves start their lives as well as making sure politicians that helped the South secede stay out of office. There were three Reconstruction Plans used.

Presidential Reconstruction Took place under Andrew Johnson after Lincoln was assassinated. He went with the same plan that Lincoln had suggested which was seen as very lenient. The South was allowed to be readmitted if 10% of the population swore an oath of allegiance to the U.S.A. They were also required to ratify (approve) the 13th Amendment. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery .

Congressional Reconstruction The South refused to ratify the 14th Amendment (citizenship to anyone born in America) Congress decided to take over Reconstructing the South. Told the South to accept the 14th Amendment to be readmitted. Once they didn't, Congress placed the South into five military districts.

Military Reconstruction The South was under the control of the U.S. military After passing the 14th Amendment, they decided to reject the 15th Amendment (African American men’s right to vote as citizens)

Problems that Freedmen (freed slaves) faced: –Homeless –Hungry – Not enough food –Uneducated –Free for the 1st time –No property or goods; many freedmen began working in sharecropping or tenant farming to survive. •Many former slaves feared re-enslavement •Most whites had difficulty treating freedmen as free persons since they had previously been slaves and were treated as property.

A Freedmen’s School in Liberty County The Freedmen’s Bureau A Freedmen’s School in Liberty County Program formed to help African- Americans adjust to their newly gained freedom (as well as poor whites). Provided food to those affected by the war, built freedmen’s schools & hospitals and supervised legal disputes. Created the first public school system in Georgia.

Propaganda used to discourage support of the Freedmen’s Bureau

Sharecropping and Tenant Farming Types of labor that were supposed to be beneficial to both sides. Unfortunately, this created a cycle of poverty. Land owners provided land and other resources. In return the laborers work on the land. Sharecroppers and Tenant farmers both exchanged their labor and portion of crops to grow their crops and work on the owner's land. Major difference between them: Tenant farmers owned their own tools,equipment and animals. Sharecroppers only brought their labor.

Tenant Farming vs. Sharecropping •Landowner provides a house, land, equipment, animals, fertilizer and seeds. •The landowner issued credit to the worker to buy medicine, food, clothing and other supplies. •The landowner gets a share of the crop and crops to pay any debt owed. •Sharecroppers rarely had any cash. •Landowner provides house and land. •Landowner received a set amount of cash or a portion of the crop at the end of the season. •Tenant farmers usually made a small profit. So who is better off?

Henry McNeal Turner & Black Legislators During a short time during Reconstruction, African Americans held political power. In 1867, 32 black legislators were elected to Georgia General Assembly. This was the first time African-Americans were allowed to vote in G.A. In 1868, they were expelled from the General Assembly. It was argued by whites that civil rights laws gave blacks the right to vote but not to be elected to office. In 1870, the African-American legislators were re-admitted by the Georgia Supreme Court. Henry McNeal Turner organized a unit of African American troops during the Civil War and served as the chaplain. He frequently received threats from the KKK, was framed for unethical practices and lost his seat due to a fraudulent election.

Ku Klux Klan Began in 1867 formed mainly up of Confederate veterans. •Secret organization – originally started as a social club for men returning from the war. Used terroristic actions to intimidate freed blacks and white Republicans to keep them from voting. Frequently attacked, intimidated, and killed Freedmen and Freedmen’s Bureau schools and churches Called for white supremacy and segregation Helped the Democratic Party gain control of Georgia political offices. Click here for video

The End of Reconstruction in Georgia Georgia finally accepts the 14th and 15th Amendment and is readmitted into the United States in 1870. Troops were withdrawn from Georgia in 1871. Race relations did not improve immediately – Civil Rights Movement is not until 1954-1968