What were the social and political effects of Radical Reconstruction in the South according to chapter 15 of Give Me Liberty! by Gerry Spence?
According to Eric Foner in Give Me Liberty!, the Radical Reconstruction that began with the Reconstruction Act of 1867 led to major social and political changes in the South. Let's look at some of these to get you started on this question.
The Reconstruction Act opened the way for African American participation in political life. Many African American men took advantage of the new opportunities to vote, and quite a few, about 2,000, actually held office on some level.
The South was also affected by the new groups of whites moving into the area. People from the North, called “carpetbaggers” by many, gained power in the political landscape of the South. Whites who had long lived in the South but were not previously in power now made their voices heard as they, too, entered into the political arena. Other Southerners labeled them “scalawags.”
Other social and political effects in...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the South during this era include the rise of public schools, economic laws regulating the activities of landowners and sharecroppers, and the focus on regional economic development to benefit African Americans and lower-class whites.
What were the social and political effects of Radical Reconstruction in the South according to Give Me Liberty! by Gerry Spence?
The social and political effects of Radical Reconstruction in the South included new laws, constitutions, representatives, and social programs.
According to Eric Foner, around 2,000 Black people held public office during the Reconstruction period. Due to Reconstruction, Black people could occupy political positions. In 1870, Hiram Revels became the first Black person to serve in the United States Senate. Five years later, Blanche K. Bruce was elected to the Senate and became the second Black person to become a United States Senator. Both Senators represented Mississippi.
During Reconstruction, Black people were also elected to the House of Representatives and local and state positions. The presence of Black officials had a significant impact in terms of enforcing laws and balancing society. Foner says that Black officials made sure that Black people “accused of crimes would be tried before juries of their peers.” They also made sure that Black communities weren’t neglected when it came to social issues like money for the poor.
The constitutions drafted by the former Confederate states also had a critical impact on social life. Many constitutions created social programs for, among other things, free education and care for the mentally ill. The constitutions also made society less punitive and politics more inclusive. Now, a person could hold office without owning property. Additionally, whipping was prohibited and couldn’t be used to punish someone for committing a crime.