Essay on Reconstruction in the South - 1262 Words

Reconstruction in the South While reading Eric Foners book I came to appreciate the difficulties the freed black slaves encountered for example, how the previous slave owning class continued to manipulate the freed slaves. Also, I was impressed at the great sacrifice they made when attempting to become educated. Last of all I was surprised at the severity of persecution and abuse of blacks that was still considered legal after they were freed. When the label of slave was removed from the black American, it was meant to clarify that they were human beings. Human beings eligible to participate in Americas society and culture. However, racism denied them the privileges of the American citizen. Although they were no longer†¦show more content†¦Blacks saw emancipation as their opportunity to become involved with society without the burden of being owned by someone. The labor system of free labor versus slavery contained a transition that few in the south were willing to accommodate. Planters went from owning blacks as property, to negotiating a wage in exchange for their labor. Although blacks were declared free, some were required to sign a yearly contract that promised service to one planter. If a free black chose not to sign the contract, he was intimidated into signing. The underlying message was clear, sign or have you and your family live in constant fear of abuse. With these contracts, planters tightened authority and presided over all details of the lives of blacks. Blacks were closely supervised to the point that t he pace of work they desired was routinely challenged. The freedmen were persuaded to sign the contract in order to preserve the labor system that had been prevalent in the South. By voluntarily signing and adhering to contracts, both planters and freedmen would develop the habits of a free labor economy and come to understand their fundamental harmony of interests(p.75). The Southern white planters would determine these interests. The contracts themselves bound the freedmen into a continued extorted form of slavery. At harvest time, most planters did not pay the blacks their earned wages. Blacks would labor the entire season only to be left with the feeling of desperation thatShow MoreRelatedReconstruction : North And South1439 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 17 - Reconstruction: North and South America after the Civil War The War s Aftermath the fate of the former Confederacy, newly freed slaves, and the reforming US were all hot topics post war Development in the North the civil war was a social revolution in many ways; allowing great social and political reform and a flow of thoughts that were usually tided Morrill Tariff - doubled the average import duties National Banking Act - created a uniform system of banking and kanknote currencyRead More Reconstruction In The South Essay1151 Words   |  5 Pages Abortion is a very controversial subject that has been continually argued over for the past few years and probably many years to come. The main controversy is should abortion be legalized? 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Rice, in blackface, played the role of a stereotypical black character to all white audiences. His act portrayed blacks as ‘singin g, dancing, fools.† Once Reconstruction ended in the south with the withdrawal of federal troops, southernRead MoreAfrican Americans During The Reconstruction Of The South And The Jews1292 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the most frightening things is to realize the government is not on the same side as you. Unfortunately, that is what happened with the African-Americans during the reconstruction of the south and the Jews in Hitler’s Germany. Those who are supposed to help all of the nation and be fair and just were not and turned against them. It was hard. The people suffered in many ways. There were unjust politics, terror groups, rights were taken, and fallacies spread against them. 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Through events like the Civil Rights Movement, the nation was exposed to new ideologies and opinions of various groups who aimed to grant African Americans those rights and liberties. However, the methods in which the differentRead MoreNorth or South: Reconstruction after the American Civil War Essay1762 Words   |  8 Pagesthe North winning and the South losing. Southern soldiers returned from the war and found their home in ruins. Lots of people lost their homes, land, businesses, and their way of life. Many Southerners faced starvation due to the high food prices and the widespread of crop failure. The Confederate money that was used by Southerners was now useless. Numerous banks collapsed, and the merchants went bankrupt because people couldn’t pay their debts. The people of the South were penniless and broken.Read MoreThe Reconstruction: A Documentary History of the South after the War by James P. Shenton860 Words   |  4 PagesShenton, James P. The Reconstruction: A Documentary History of the South after the War: 1865 1877. New York: Capricorn, 1963. Print. Book Review I read the book The Reconstruction: A Documentary History of the South after the War: 1865-1877 by James P. Shenton. James P. Shenton arrived at the University of Columbia at the age of 21 as a college freshman on the G.I. Bill. He finished his B.A. in three years and continued to finish his M.A. in 1950. In 1954 he finished his Ph. D all his accomplishments