Radical Reconstruction

Radical Reconstruction.Grab a Robert Smalls Reconstruction Hero Article and Read

Prepare for notesOf Race and RacismThink Pair Share Activity2 MinutesDefine the term Race2 MinutesMeet with Elbow Partner, Discuss, Come up with a working Definition2 MinutesWrite definition on the Board

RaceA social constructA definition created or formed by society

Definition: race (n) a human population considered distinct based on physical characteristics.

No Scientific Basis

DefinitionsThe belief or attitude or both that certain human groups are--by virtue of heredity--physically, intellectually, and otherwise inherently and collectively superior to other groups and that this innate superiority is a determining factor in social affairs. Dictionary of Concepts in History

with racism - human groups determined by skin color and physical characteristics5The Importance of ReconstructionThe 13th 14th and 15th AmendmentsGoalsRacial Equality

African American Enfranchisement

Build Political Power Base

Radical ReconstructionRadical in terms of rebuilding society in our nation

End Southern society and its divergent view on the nation

Rebuild countrys society

What Was Southern Society Like Before Reconstruction?

The Reconstruction Amendments13th Ends Slavery

14th Citizenship to all peoples of color, race and nationality, except Native Americans

15th Cannot Deny Vote Based on Color

Advances in PoliticsPower to vote allowed for election of African Americans

Made most impact at local level

What do local governments do?

Reconstructing State Governmentshelp write new state constitutions establish public school system pass civil rights laws, eradicate slaveryabolish imprisonment for debt, divorce laws legislation to rebuild infrastructure and attract commerce

At the National Level16 Representatives2 Senators

African Americans in the Government1,500 public offices held

Robert Smalls Filmstrip ActivityCreate a 6 panel cartoon strip of highlights of Robert Smallss lifeWarm UpTake out a Textbook

Open to the 13th Amendment

Read Amendments 13, 14, 15Also, prepare for notesThe Reconstruction AmendmentsThe 13th 14th and 15th AmendmentsThe Reconstruction Amendments13th Ends Slavery

14th Citizenship to all peoples of color, race and nationality, except Native Americans

15th Cannot Deny Vote Based on ColorReconstruction of Society Previously only the white minority held power to vote

African Americans gain ability to vote, become the powerful in South

Effect of Reconstruction AmendmentsThe definition of who are citizens in this country broadens

Now includes African American men

The 13th AmendmentEmancipation

Ends All Slavery/Involuntary Servitude in The United States except as punishment for a crime

The 14th Amendment5 SectionsSection 1 Rights of Citizens, including nationalization, and guarantee of life and liberty and property Section 2 Representation in Congress, repeals 3/5Section 3 Punishment for ConfederatesSection 4 Assumption of Federal Public DebtSection 5 Congress has power to enforce however needed

The 14th AmendmentFinally commits the United States to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence

Life, Liberty and Property

Sets goal towards all men are created equal

15th AmendmentCannot deny vote based upon race

Believed power of vote would allow African Americans to protect themselves

Aiding in EmancipationThe Freedmans BureauThe Freedmans BureauFormer name was the Bureau of Refugees, Freedman and Abandoned Lands

Designed to help rebuild post war South

Run by the War Department

The Freedmans BureauThe Bureau supervised all relief and educational activities relating to refugees and freedmen, including issuing rations, clothing and medicine.

The Bureau also assumed custody of confiscated lands or property in the former Confederate States, border states, District of Columbia, and Indian Territory.

40 Acres and MuleThe initial goal of the Freedmans Bureau was aid the Freedman by redistributing Confederate land to former slaves

Why would the Bureau distribute land?

The Freedmans BureauIn the end (ultimately) was a failure

Its efforts were hurt by corruption, greed, and lenient terms of land confiscation and redistrubution

Very few Freedman received their 40 acres and a mule

How would this hurt African Americans in the South?Freedmans Bureau WorksheetWarm UpWarm UpTake the Packet from the Front

Take the Voting Rights TestDisenfranchisementElite Southerners begin to take away African American Political Power and regain their own powerTake away voting rightsMake economic security impossibleCampaign of Violence

The RetreatSouthern Whites and Former Confederates angered at loss of power

Had to figure out how to get power backManufactured myths about African American Politicians

Elite southernersobstruct Reconstruction - maintain economic control sharecropping, convict lease, and lien systemland never redistributedemphasized white superioritysupport from poor white southernersdeny black political powerterror and violenceMyths of Redemptionblack politicians dominated state governmentsjustify overthrow - manufactured twin myths - corruption and ignorancenecessary to cheat and kill to restore honest government myths perpetuated by successive generations of historiansera of corruption

Real fearshonesty not corruption, brilliance not ignorancegood black government not bad black governmentSoutherners conclude monstrous crime of Reconstruction was equality, violation of American caste system

Losing the VoteReflect on the Literacy Test

Poll Tax

Grandfather Clause

Economic DisenfranchisementPlanters wanted to recreate a legal system like slavery

Create SharecroppingAfrican Americans rent fields for a share of their crops

Primary Source: A Sharecropping Contract

Disenfranchisement: ViolenceNortherners retreat from protection and occupation

Southerners use violence to stop voting and prosperity

ViolencePrimary Source: KKK Victims