THE AMERICANS SECTION 12 .3

Reconstruction Comes to An End

Southern Resistance Increases

SociallyCarpetbaggers:

Southern Democrats name for Northerners that come South

Scalawags: Name for Southerners who joined the Republican Party

Rise of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan)

“Is This A Republican Form of Government?"Harper's Weekly, September 2, 1876

Southern Resistance Increases

Politically: Black Codes: racist state laws

that limited freed slaves’ rights Poll taxes (pay to vote) [does

affect poor whites as well] Literacy test [also affects white

voters] Grandfather Clause (if your

grandfather could vote in 1860, no poll tax or literacy test)

Amnesty Act – returned the right to vote and old office to many former Confederates

Attempts to stop resistance: Enforcement Acts:

Oversee elections Send troops against the KKK

Public Opinion Changes

Corruption up, people think money is being wasted

Credit Mobilier Affair Whiskey Ring Belknap Bribery

Panic of 1873: people more worried about the economy than punishing the South

Currency dispute: poor want more money printed

Supreme Court is dominated by racists

Supreme Court Interpretation

U.S. v. Cruikshank 14th Amendment does not involve people discriminating against people; only the government discriminating

U.S. v. Reese undermined idea all black males can vote: ruled the 15th Amendment didn’t give right to vote, simply listed grounds on which states could not deny right to vote

Changes in the Republican Party

White southern ‘scalawags’ not committed to protecting African-Americans

The party splits over corruption

 Republicans v. liberal Republicans

Election of 1876

Republican- Hayes of Ohiov.

Democrat – Tilden of NY

• Tilden won popular vote, needs 1 electoral vote more

• Florida’s 20 electoral votes uncertain b/c of KKK violence

So…the electoral college can’t render a verdict!

Compromise of 1877

Hayes became president

Democrats allow it b/c troops will leave the South

Result: “Redemption” – White Southerners regain control of the South

**White Supremacy and Home Rule Restored**