Give Me Liberty! Ch. 15 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Reconstruction?

The period after the Civil War in the United States when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union.

What was Special Field Order 15?

Sherman's response to meeting with black leaders, set aside a large area of South Carolina and Georgia coasts for black families to settle with 40 acres of land and broken-down mules.

What role did black churches play during Reconstruction?

They were mostly Methodist and Baptist, with 250 black ministers in office during this period.

Which of the following were the first black colleges established during Reconstruction? (Select all that apply)

Fisk University in Tennessee Signup and view all the answers

What does 'freedom to former slaves' refer to?

An open-ended process, a transformation of every aspect of their lives and of the society and culture that sustained slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What was the number of Confederate men deaths during the Civil War?

260,000, which was 1/5 of the southern white male population. Signup and view all the answers

How did Southern farming change post-Civil War?

Property value decreased by 30% or more, loss of slaves, and some people experienced physical labor for the first time. Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Freedmen's Bureau?

O.O. Howard. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Andrew Johnson?

Racist born in poverty, he took over after Lincoln's assassination and ordered the return of land designated for blacks. Signup and view all the answers

What was the task system?

Workers were assigned daily tasks and were free to do whatever once they were completed. Signup and view all the answers

What is wage labor?

Labor predominantly found on sugar plantations, closely supervised, and surviving in the rice kingdom of South Carolina and Georgia. Signup and view all the answers

What are sharecroppers?

Individuals who rented land owned by others. Signup and view all the answers

What were Johnson's pardons?

Restored political and property rights except for slaves, established new governments in the South, and opposed by Northerners. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Black Codes?

Laws designed to restrict the rights of newly freed black slaves Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Radical Republicans?

A small group that supported black suffrage and a demanding Reconstruction policy led by Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Civil Rights Act of 1866?

A bill passed to reinforce black rights to citizenship, stating all people born in the U.S. are citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What did the 13th Amendment accomplish?

Officially abolished slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 14th Amendment declare?

All persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 15th Amendment?

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Signup and view all the answers

What was The Reconstruction Act?

It reorganized the South into five military districts and required states to ratify the 14th Amendment for re-admission to the Union. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Tenure of Office Act do?

It forbade the president from removing civil officers without senatorial consent. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Ulysses S. Grant?

The U.S. president from 1873-1877 and a military hero of the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'waving the bloody shirt' refer to?

A campaign tactic used by post-Civil War Republicans to remind voters of the Confederates' past. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Naturalization Law?

An act passed by Congress that reduced the residency requirement from fourteen years to five years. Signup and view all the answers

Who were carpetbaggers?

Northerners who migrated South during Reconstruction to take advantage of opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

What are scalawags?

Southerners who were working with the North to buy up land. Signup and view all the answers

Who opposed Reconstruction?

The South's planters, merchants, and Democrats. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Whiskey Ring?

During Grant's administration, officials were cheating the treasury out of millions of dollars by importing whiskey and avoiding taxes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Ku Klux Klan?

To control newly freed slaves through threats and violence. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Enforcement Acts do?

Outlawed terrorist societies and allowed the president to use the army against them. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Liberal Republicans?

Republican reformers organized in 1872 to address corruption and scandals in the Grant administration. Signup and view all the answers

What was Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction?

10% of the voters in each Southern state had to swear an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

What records were kept at Barrow Plantation?

Detailed records of whippings, with 160 documented whippings and 200 slaves. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reconstruction Era

Reconstruction signifies the period post-Civil War focused on reorganizing and reintegrating Southern states into the Union.
"40 acres and a mule" refers to Special Field Order 15, which aimed to provide land to 40,000 freed slaves.

Black Community Developments

Black churches played a pivotal role during Reconstruction, predominantly being Methodist and Baptist, with 250 black ministers in leadership roles.
The establishment of first black colleges, including Fisk University, Hampton Institute, and Howard University, marked a significant educational advancement for the African American community.

Freedmen's Rights and Challenges

Freedom for former slaves was an ongoing transformation, impacting all facets of life and society from the previous era of slavery.
The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-70) provided crucial support to freedmen through legal, educational, and housing assistance.

Losses and Economic Impact

Approximately 260,000 Confederate men died in the war, representing about one-fifth of the Southern white male population.
Southern agriculture faced significant challenges, including a 30% decrease in property values and the loss of significant investments.

Political Landscape Post-Civil War

Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's VP, assumed the presidency after Lincoln's assassination and was known for his racist views, reversing policies like Sherman’s land provisions.
The task system allowed workers to complete daily assignments and gain personal time afterward, while wage labor was prevalent on sugar plantations.

Legislative Framework

Black Codes were established to limit newly freed slaves' rights, allowing marriage and property ownership but restricting legal rights against whites.
The Radical Republicans, led by figures such as Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens, advocated for black suffrage and harsh reconstruction policies.

Constitutional Amendments

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, while the 14th Amendment granted citizenship and equal protection under the law.
The 15th Amendment asserted that voting rights could not be denied based on race or former servitude.

Reconstruction Acts and Political Opposition

The Reconstruction Act divided the South into five military districts and enforced the 14th Amendment for states to be re-admitted.
Johnson’s pardons restored rights to former Confederates, leading to opposition from Northerners.

Corruption and Opposition

The Whiskey Ring scandal during Grant's presidency involved officials evading taxes, cheating the treasury.
Ku Klux Klan emerged as a terrorist organization targeting black individuals and various minority groups, sustaining white supremacy through violence.

Reform Movements

The Liberal Republicans arose in 1872 in response to corruption within the Grant administration, nominating Horace Greeley for president.
Johnson’s administration faced backlash from both Southern Democrats and new government structures, indicating a deep political divide.

Carpetbaggers were Northerners who moved South to exploit opportunities post-war, while scalawags were Southern individuals cooperating with Northern interests.
Barrow Plantation detailed records of slave whippings, signifying the brutality of plantation life, with significant documentation of abuses.

Campaign Strategies

"Waving the bloody shirt" was a tactic used to remind voters of Confederate actions, diverting attention from the competence of candidates or pressing issues.

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Description

Explore key terms and concepts from Chapter 15 of 'Give Me Liberty!' focusing on the Reconstruction era. These flashcards will help you understand significant events and policies that shaped the post-Civil War United States. Test your knowledge on definitions and historical contexts.