As I thought about Reconstruction and the effects of it. I found perhaps the most interesting thing about Reconstruction is the political side of the free blacks. The political window during Reconstruction was open and the blacks took advantage of it, but just as quickly as it had opened they were back to maybe not quite as bad off as they were but were pushed back out of politics.
As we look in the book, Reconstruction, by Eric Foner, you see how quickly blacks came to power, and because of the power of the white population in the South and the twisting of some legal documents, they were pushed out. For example only three years after the war had ended in 1868, Foner describes one of the first attempts to push blacks out of politics. “Democrats moved to expel black members of the state legislature, on the ground that Georgia’s new constitution failed to guarantee their right to hold office.” And despite the opposition of the Governor, the motion carried in Georgia. This is just one example of how quickly they were forced out. It was almost like the slaves were given a taste of the political power they could have(even though it was still limited) and it was jerked away from them just as quickly. Which in my opinion, to give them a taste of hope and take it back would drive them to push even harder, which inevitably led to the Civil Rights movement in the 20th century.
Another aspect you can look at this is through the eyes of the the Northern world. in the newspaper article from November 10, 1985 in New York World, the author talks about just how important Johnson presidency is. the article was discussing what exactly was going to happen between Johnson and the Republicans, “It is for Republicans to say whether they will fight out on the negro suffrage line, or frankly accept the policy of the President.” The blacks political involvement had to be dealt with whether one way or the other. So we see that not only was this an issue in the South but in the North as well.
Perhaps the biggest mistake of Reconstruction was the inconsistencies in the way the blacks were treated. At first the blacks were allowed to vote and some were even placed in office but the government and Johnson faltered in their decision making, they pushed back out and restricted by various laws and regulations and just pure fear. What would have happened if it would have just started out like that? That window of freedom to me was very interesting because it gave the blacks hope they never had before, a lot like when they were given land but then it was ordered to be given back to the white southerners.
Going back to the article, you can see alot of this has to do with Johnson’s leadership, “...yet he will receive the thanks of the entire South for standing out so manfully against those who wish to degrade us by forcing negro suffrage upon us, and will be sustained by those everywhere who have the good of the country at heart.” This is a very telling line because it shows just how little help the freed slaves would really have under this President. Sure they were free but they would not be given suffrage or anything of that sort.
In conclusion, the inconsistencies of the way black suffrage, and blacks in government were handled is very profound. Depending on who was in leadership, some blacks were able to achieve some sort of political power. However, the end of Reconstruction only showed freed blacks still as powerless as before politically.
Sources:
Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877(New York: Harper & Row, 1988)
Donna L. Dickerson, The Reconstruction Era: Primary Documents on Events from 1865 to 1877 (Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing 2003) 29-30.
Very true. It is a shame that many white politicians used abolition and black voting rights as a way to further their own political careers. Also white Southern Democrats would not rest until all political power was returned to their hands from the freed blacks. Had blacks been able to vote and run for office without constant fear of persecution, it might not have taken 100 years to gain full Civil Rights for blacks.
ReplyDeleteThese inconsistencies backs up my idea that blacks really never had a chance during the reconstruction era. Yes, as we look back we can see that there was a small chance but that chance was brought on by force and an inconsistent northern Government. Due to culture it is understandable why blacks really didn't have a chance until the 1960's.
ReplyDeleteIt's really no surprise that blacks were not given a chance. Despite the outcome of the war, the South was ingrained with the idea that blacks were lesser human beings than whites. That's why they went to such lengths to try and use science to defend their economic way of life. Slavery had existed so long that it was simply the norm in the South. With the ending of the Civil War, and the implementation of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment; we don't need our imagination to understand the anger this caused in the South towards blacks. Having strong leaders would be rare for the black community because of intimidation and coercion. Slavery may have ended; but the animosity and hatred for the black community in the south was far from over. It would take time for society to grow used to the new reality set forth by the Civil War. Just as time implemented the ideology in the South regarding slavery, so too would time ingrain the idea that these people are just as much human as anyone else. Luckily, as humans were are gifted with the ability to reason. Even more importantly in this case; we are gifted with the ability to adapt. Some minds just take more time.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason that blacks had that opportunity to be in office was due to the protection from the army in which all blacks rights were protected. As a whole without the aspect of the army their is no hope for blacks to gain anything. Even the North had the same views of blacks. That's why it took so long for equal rights. How do you expect a country to change on the basis on an outcome from a war when the common man and women thought very much the same on blacks north and south.
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