Southern Response to Reconstruction

Reconstruction in the south after the northʼs long awaited abolishment of slavery following the Civil War was harder to accomplish as slave owners were reluctant to give up the foundation and basis of their economy. At first, former slave owners resisted greatly and wanted to maintain their old ways, keeping African Americans from exercising their rights. Following these feelings came the black codes (enacted in 1865-1866). The black codes prohibited blacks from doing certain things such as traveling without permits and testifying against whites. The old confederates lost political rights as well because the Union wanted to vote for a leader that would positively improve reconstruction. After the black codes were founded, a radical group known as the KKK began terrorizing the country. The KKK were created out of hatred against blacks and constantly attacked and injured blacks and their families as well.(See image #1 and #2)In the midst of this debacle were people called scalawags and carpetbaggers. Scalawags were the southern whites who supported reconstruction which included the republican party after the civil war. Carpetbaggers were northerners who would move to the south after the civil war.(See image #3)This constant resistance eventually lead to an era of segregation that lasted up into the 1970s was fueled by people who thought that blacks were not equal to whites. Throughout this dramatic reconstruction period, compromises were difficult to find and progress and success was hard to achieve.

Image #1

Image #2

Image #3