Redeemer Democrats & Jim Crow Laws

Study Notes

Reconstruction began after the Confederacy's defeat, with the North imposing its will on the South, leading to political and economic oppression of white Southerners.
White Southerners retaliated with laws and organizations targeting the rights and security of blacks, re-establishing a white elite and racial divisions.

Primarily formed after the 15th Amendment to end Republican control, comprising all-white "conservative" parties that diminished Republican control in the South during the 1870s.
They fought against the civil rights movement, believing they were saving the South from black rule and often rigged state elections for Democratic nominees.
Tennessee and Virginia first established Democratic rule in 1869, and by 1876, nearly all states had redeemer governments comprised of white elites and Confederate leaders.

Separate but equal laws, known as Jim Crow Laws, began in 1877, named after the African American song and dance "Jump Jim Crow" as a result of the Compromise of 1877.
Opened up new economic opportunities for African-Americans, who formed their own economic and social groups.
Poll taxes, grandfather clauses, literacy tests, and residency requirements were examples of these restrictions, making voting nearly impossible for blacks and poor whites, restoring the old southern elite to power.

Originally a club for Confederate veterans (social club) that opposed republicans, founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866.
Formed due to the second (militarized) phase of Reconstruction to address their grievances, becoming a violent terrorist group to terrify and threaten former slaves and white republicans to prevent them from voting.
Destroyed by President Grant in 1869 after becoming president in the 1866 election
After the KKK was destroyed, the south started to obey reconstruction.

Laws passed by state and local governments to limit the rights of former slaves; allowed cities to ban former slaves from buying land or starting city businesses.
Enacted by former Confederate leaders who were re-elected, leading to increased racial division.
Led to southerners having a harder time being seated in congress.
Black Codes was created after the 13th amendment in 1865
Led to the 14th amendment in 1868.
Lincoln's original plan for Reconstruction was removed, and Radical Reconstruction was implemented, dividing the South into military districts and causing violence and terror.

Occurred in 1896.
Legalized Segregation, ruling separate but equal facilities as constitutional and stating that state-mandated segregation laws did not violate the 14th Amendment.

Ended Military Reconstruction after Hayes became president because the South was deemed peaceful.
The election was tied between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden and was resolved with the compromise of 1877.
Removed restrictions on voting for white southerners and secured the power of Redeemer Democrats.
Hayes used the prospect of the end of reconstruction to get southern democrat voters on his side
Democrats seized control in the South, passing Jim Crow Laws, with the withdrawal of military control.

Granted voting rights to all males, including blacks, but not females.
Directly opposed the KKK's goal of limiting black votes; was regarded as retaliation from the North against the KKK.

Guaranteed citizenship to black people and immigrants born in the United States.
Prohibited neglecting the rights of black or white citizens and ensured due process of law for all citizens.
Was retaliation to forced labor of blacks through southern law and passed in 1868.

All re-added states had to ratify this as one of Lincoln's stipulations.
Abolished slavery throughout the United States, leading the South to find other forced labor methods and ways to arrest blacks, such as for not having identification.
Directly led to black codes.

Moderate: Lincoln and Andrew Johnson supported moderate reconstruction.
After Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson became president but was impeached due to his moderate approach, leading to the era of radical republicans and military control.
Radical: Favored military reconstruction and aimed to punish the South, contributing to the KKK and Jim Crow laws.
Vagrancy laws were enacted to put blacks back onto plantations.