U.S. History
Lesson 3
Opposition to Reconstruction
- Some whites resorted to violence to keep Af. Am. out of politics.
A. Ku Klux Klan
1. Started as a social club for C.S.A. veterans in TN.
- new chapters became violent
2. Wanted to restore white supremacy.
B. Anti – Black Violence
1.
2.
3.
4.
1868-1871 – KKK killed 1000’s
Burned schools, churches, property, etc.
Even targeted white sympathizers.
Wanted the Reps out of power.
a) most white’s took the risk – if Af. Am. are willing, we are too.
5. KKK kept identities secret – other hate groups were public.
a) tried to scare people away from the polls.
C. Economic Pressure
1. KKK destroyed Af. Am. land & property.
2. Many Af. Am. quit voting – scared for safety.
D. Legislative Response
1 Election Enforcement Acts of 1870 & 1871 – sent troops.
1.
troops
- ruled unconstitutional in 1882.
2. KKK violence decreased as Af. Am. quit voting.
E Shifts in Political Power
E.
1. 1872 – C.S.A. officers were pardoned – voted Dem.
2. Power slowly
y shifted back to the Dems.
Scandals
A. Fraud & Bribery
1. Credit Mobilier Affair – Construction company was
paid $$$$$$ to rebuild govt. RR’s.
- Grants V.P. – Schuyler Colfax was involved in the
scandal.
B. Republican Unity Shatters
1. People were upset w/ corruption.
2. Liberal Reps. (LR) broke off – wanted Grant out!
3. Election of 1872
a) LR – Horace Greeley – newspaper editor
b) DEM – also nominated Greeley – join forces w/ LR.
c) REP – Grant – Grant wins easily – Greeley died of
exhaustion
h
i soon after the
h election.
l i
C. More Scandal
1. Whiskey Ring – IRS took bribes from whiskey distillers
-- tax fraud.
a) Grant helped his secretary Orville E. Babcock escape
conviction.
2. Sec. of War – William W. Belknap – took bribes from
profiteers in Ind. Territory – was impeached.
3 Lots of corruption – ARMY,
3.
ARMY NAVY,
NAVY etc.
etc
Economic Turmoil
A. Panic of 1873
1. Investors were borrowing
g lots of $$ - building
g factories,, etc.
2. Lots of bankruptcy – bank closings, RR’s quit, etc.
B. Currency Debate
1. Govt. printed “greenbacks”
greenbacks during the war.
- not backed by gold.
2. Creditors quit accepting them.
3. Specie
p
Resumption
p
Act - $$ must be backed by
y ggold or silver.
Support Fades
A. Supreme Court Decisions
1. U.S. vs. Cruikshank – 1876 – can’t punish whites who oppress
Af. Am.
2 U.S.
2.
U S vs
vs. Reese – 1876 – 15th Amend – says who can’t
can t be
denied. – no guarantee of voting rights.
3. Harder to protect Af. Am. rights.
4 North became less concerned w/ Reconstruction – more
4.
concerned about the economy.
Democrats Redeem the South
A. Election of 1876
1. REP – Rutherford B. Hayes
2. DEM – Samuel J. Tilden
3. Tilden won the popular vote, but not a majority of
electoral votes.
4. Hayes compromised w/ the Dems – end Reconstruction.
a) Compromise of 1877
Dems get RR from TX to CA
- Dems.
- South – better rivers, harbors, etc.
- Removal of all Union troops from the south
- Hayes become President
B. Home Rule
1. Dems took over in the south
2 Passed
2.
P
d anti-Af.
ti Af A
Am. llaws
3. - cut taxes, dismantled schools, no welfare, etc.
C. Legacy of Reconstruction
1 13th, 14th, & 15th Amend
1.
A
d – gave rights
i ht to
t Af.
Af Am.
A
2. Af. Am. education/life increased
3. Laws were not enforced well