2. Many whites frustrated by their loss of political power and by the South’s economic stagnation; took out their anger on African American. Certain groups embarked on a campaign to terrorize African American into giving up their political rights and their efforts at economic improvement. The opposition to Reconstruction begins… Many whites frustrated by their loss of political power and by the South’s economic stagnation; took out their anger on African American. Certain groups embarked on a campaign to terrorize African American into giving up their political rights and their efforts at economic improvement. The opposition to Reconstruction begins… The Collapse of Reconstruction

3. Reconstruction or Nadir The system that replaced Reconstruction in the South was one of racial segregation and white supremacy.The system that replaced Reconstruction in the South was one of racial segregation and white supremacy. African Americans were destroyed of their basic political and civil rights until the Civil Rights Movement.African Americans were destroyed of their basic political and civil rights until the Civil Rights Movement. Some Historians refer this period as the “Nadir” or low point in American race relations.Some Historians refer this period as the “Nadir” or low point in American race relations.

4. The Collapse of Reconstruction Many whites, frustrated by their loss of political power and by the South’s economic stagnation, took out their anger on African Americans. Many whites, frustrated by their loss of political power and by the South’s economic stagnation, took out their anger on African Americans. Reconstruction brought violent opposition throughout the South Reconstruction brought violent opposition throughout the South White citizens formed private groups, supposedly to keep order in the South. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan a.k.a KKK formed at Tennessee in 1866 and soon began terrorizing African Americans and whites who were loyal to the Union. Violence against blacks was rarely prosecuted. White citizens formed private groups, supposedly to keep order in the South. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan a.k.a KKK formed at Tennessee in 1866 and soon began terrorizing African Americans and whites who were loyal to the Union. Violence against blacks was rarely prosecuted.

5. Ku Klux Klan - secret group set up in the South founded by veterans of the Confederate Army to fight against Reconstruction. Members terrorized primarily African- Americans. Their methods included threats, house burnings, and killings(lynching) against not only blacks but whites as well who were loyal to the Union. The idea behind the terror was to keep African Americans from voting and to better themselves.

6. The (First) Ku Klux Klan Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA Vigilantism 1865-1874

7. “Boy, You ain’t a votin’ here”!

8. The “Invisible Empire of the South”

9. The Failure of Federal Enforcement Enforcement Acts of 1870 & 1871 [also known as the KKK Act]. Three Enforcement Acts were passed, setting heavy penalties for anyone attempting to prevent a qualified person from voting. They banned the use of disguises and gave the army and federal courts power to capture and punish KKK members. While the KKK was soon brought under control, other groups continued to operate

10. Decrease in the Klan’s activities In late 1870s, the reason for the reduction in Klan violence was the Klan’s own success. By 1880, terrorist groups had managed to restore white supremacy throughout the South. The Klan was no longer needed to limit the political and civil rights of most African Americans.

11. CONGRESS SUPPORT FADES When Congress passed the Amnesty Act (1872) returning voting rights to 150,000 Confederates and allowed the Freedmen’s Bureau to expire—it became clear that Southern Democrats were back in political controlWhen Congress passed the Amnesty Act (1872) returning voting rights to 150,000 Confederates and allowed the Freedmen’s Bureau to expire—it became clear that Southern Democrats were back in political control

12. Republicans withdrawn troops from the South to gain Hayes the presidency in 1876. Compromise of 1877 Republicans decided not to run Grant for a third term. Instead, they choose Rutherford B. Hayes. The Democrats ran Samuel H. Tilden. Although Tilden won popular vote, he was short of one vote of the electoral vote needed to win.Republicans decided not to run Grant for a third term. Instead, they choose Rutherford B. Hayes. The Democrats ran Samuel H. Tilden. Although Tilden won popular vote, he was short of one vote of the electoral vote needed to win. The presidential election was disputed with charges of massive voting fraud. With the Compromise of 1877 Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops in the South, and in return, Rutherford B. Hayes became president.The presidential election was disputed with charges of massive voting fraud. With the Compromise of 1877 Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops in the South, and in return, Rutherford B. Hayes became president.

13. DEMOCRATS “REDEEM SOUTH” With the termination of military rule, the remaining Republican-controlled governments were swept out of office.With the termination of military rule, the remaining Republican-controlled governments were swept out of office. Southern issues caused Democrats to regain control of the SouthSouthern issues caused Democrats to regain control of the South Called “Redeemers” these politicians were out to reclaim Southern Culture and traditionCalled “Redeemers” these politicians were out to reclaim Southern Culture and tradition The Reconstruction Era was overThe Reconstruction Era was over The South remained resentful of the Republican Party, and for the next 75 years the former Confederate states (the Solid South) voted almost consistently for Democratic Party.The South remained resentful of the Republican Party, and for the next 75 years the former Confederate states (the Solid South) voted almost consistently for Democratic Party.

14. The 1876 elections brought an end to Republican influence in Southern states government. They restricted the rights of freed slaves. Southern laws set up a: Literacy TestsLiteracy Tests Tests designed to keep blacks from voting by requiring predominantly uneducated African Americans to prove they could read and write before allowing them to vote.Tests designed to keep blacks from voting by requiring predominantly uneducated African Americans to prove they could read and write before allowing them to vote. They were designed to disfranchise educated blacks as well by asking questions most people, white and black, could not answer. They were designed to disfranchise educated blacks as well by asking questions most people, white and black, could not answer.

15. Poll Taxes Special taxes passed in the South after Reconstruction to prevent blacks from voting by requiring them to pay a few to vote.Special taxes passed in the South after Reconstruction to prevent blacks from voting by requiring them to pay a few to vote.

16. Grandfather Clause Said that a citizen could vote only if his grandfather had been able to vote. At the time, the grandfathers of black men in the South had been slaves with no right to vote. Another method for disenfranchising blacks.Said that a citizen could vote only if his grandfather had been able to vote. At the time, the grandfathers of black men in the South had been slaves with no right to vote. Another method for disenfranchising blacks.

17. The End of Reconstruction The North loses interest after economic depression in 1873The North loses interest after economic depression in 1873 Rutherford B. Hayes withdraws troops in a deal to win the disputed 1877 Presidential election.Rutherford B. Hayes withdraws troops in a deal to win the disputed 1877 Presidential election. Southern Democrats return to power.Southern Democrats return to power. KKK and other groups terrorize African AmericansKKK and other groups terrorize African Americans Reconstruction had failed to gain equal rights for African Americans.Reconstruction had failed to gain equal rights for African Americans.

18. The Jim Crow Laws: the “Nadir” in Race Relations Stop African Americans from voting Literacy tests- a voter had to be able to read and writeLiteracy tests- a voter had to be able to read and write Poll taxes-registration fees for voting. It was a burden to the poor.Poll taxes-registration fees for voting. It was a burden to the poor. Grandfather Causes- No man could vote if his grandfather had not been able to vote before the civil warGrandfather Causes- No man could vote if his grandfather had not been able to vote before the civil war Racial Segregation: Jim Crow Segregation laws which separated blacks from whites in schools, railroads, restaurants and other public placesSegregation laws which separated blacks from whites in schools, railroads, restaurants and other public places Denied black citizens equal opportunities and rightsDenied black citizens equal opportunities and rights This is considered the period as “Nadir”, or lowest point in American race relationsThis is considered the period as “Nadir”, or lowest point in American race relations

19. “Jim Crow” America

20. In 1896; the US Supreme Court upheld Jim Crow laws In 1896; the US Supreme Court upheld Jim Crow laws Plessy vs. Ferguson: What? Homer Plessey tries to sit in a whites-only train car and refuses to move. He was arrested; tried; and convicted for breaking Louisiana’s segregation law Plessey claimed he had been denied equal protection under the law How did the Supreme Court Rule? Segregation is ok as long as the facilities are equal SEPARATE BUT EQUAL

21. The Reality

22. Sample Question Several southern states adopted Jim Crow laws in the late 1800s toSeveral southern states adopted Jim Crow laws in the late 1800s to A enforce legal segregationA enforce legal segregation B deny women the right to voteB deny women the right to vote C protect the freedom of speechC protect the freedom of speech D preserve the separation of church and stateD preserve the separation of church and state

23. Legacy of Reconstruction (Reconstruction was not complete failure) Legacy of Reconstruction (Reconstruction was not complete failure)  The Thirteenth Amendment permanently abolished slavery in all states.  Radical Republicans did succeed in passing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, and although the Supreme Court narrowed the interpretation of the amendments, they remained part of the Constitution. In later years, these amendments would be used to strength African American’s rights.  African Americans had founded many black colleges and volunteer organizations  The percentage of literate African Americans had gradually increased.

24. The End