Author Question: Discuss the economic conditions of poor blacks and poor whites during the period of Reconstruction. ... (Read 74 times)

@Brianna17 · **on:** Sep 21, 2019

Question 1

After the Civil War, southern state governments attempted to reestablish white dominance by passing the ________.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Question 2

The Grant administration strongly pursued a policy of defending black rights in the South. Explain why you agree or disagree with the this statement, citing historical evidence to support your position.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 3

Discuss the methods by which conservative white Democrats regained control of the southern state governments at the end of Reconstruction.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 4

Evaluate the successes and failures of the Republican administrations that controlled the southern state governments during the period of Reconstruction.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 5

Discuss the economic conditions of poor blacks and poor whites during the period of Reconstruction.

What will be an ideal response?

kingdude89 · **Reply #1 on:** Sep 21, 2019

Answer 1

Answer: Black Codes

Answer 2

Answer: Most historians agree that the Grant administration did not strongly pursue a policy in defense of black rights. While Congress in 1870 and 1871 passed several acts giving the president strong powers to protect black voting rights and to suppress violence, Grant did not utilize them to any great extent. By 1872, most northern Republicans were more interested in programs promoting economic growth in the North and protecting the political power of the Republican party than in defending black rights.

Answer 3

Answer: White Democrats used violence, economic intimidation, and appeals to white supremacy to defeat Republican control of southern state governments between 1865 and 1876. These tactics were generally known as the Mississippi Plan.

Answer 4

Answer: Republican state governments in the South during Reconstruction made some significant strides toward more democratic political conditions and began the physical and economic rebuilding of the South. They also attempted to provide greater educational opportunities and social services for the people. White taxpayers often resented the expense of these programs, which helped both blacks and poor whites.

Answer 5

Answer: By establishing the Freedmen's Bureau, the national government attempted to help blacks in their transition from slavery to freedom, but Congress refused to consider the confiscation of whites' property to provide a basis for black economic independence. As a result, both poor blacks and poor whites remained dependent on white landowners for their economic survival. Most of them became either tenant farmers or sharecroppers, producing a cash crop, usually cotton, dictated by the landowner.