Reconstruction: A New Birth of Freedom?
[overview, process, due dates] [activity] [exam essay]
“Reconstruction, one of the most turbulent and controversial
eras in American history, began during the Civil War and ended in 1877. It
witnessed
“Introduction,” America’s Reconstruction: People & Politics After the Civil War[1]
This activity challenges students to examine the policies
and outcomes of Reconstruction, a time period in American history that began in
1865 and ended in 1877. Specifically, it
requires students to understand this time period from the perspectives of the
two groups most impacted: White Southerners and Freedpeople (former slaves).
Such an inquiry is important. First, the process and outcome of
Reconstruction serves as a significant the legacy the Civil War, a war fought
on the principle to end slavery. Second,
the actions taken during Reconstruction illustrate the nastiness of political
infighting and the stubborn reality of racism.
Most significantly, although Reconstruction did not complete the
revolution for total equality for all Americans, it provided the foundation for
African Americans and their supporters to continue to wage battle in the
Unfinished Revolution for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
Process:
·
This activity and exam question
requires that you role play. See the
“Scenario” below.
·
This document includes the
assignments for an online discussion which is worth 40 points, and the exam
essay which is worth 30 points.
·
Read the entire text of this
document. Submit any questions that you
might have.
·
Work through the research for the
Activity/Discussion (Categories 1 – 3).
If confused by the information, please contact Susan Oliver (soliver@cerritos.edu). Do your own research rather than restate the posted
information of your classmates!!!
·
Be sure to make careful notes on the
information in these three categories, since these will provide the information
needed to write the exam essay.
·
Write your research study (exam
essay).
Due Dates:
· Comments in the discussion – November 22
· Exam essay: December 6.
Activity:
This includes three categories
Scenario: It is 1880. You have been hired by the Federal Government
to conduct an objective study of the policies, programs, and outcomes of
Reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to determine and define the ways
that these various policies and programs met the needs of the (1) Freed people
(former slaves) and (2) White Southerners (all economic groups).
To meet these objectives, you have divided the research and
analysis into three categories and assembled your sources. Now you are ready to begin your research ….
Category One
(10 pts): The Reconstruction Plans of
the Federal Government.
Before examining the points of view of the white southerners
and former slaves, you realize that you must have a basic understanding of the
timeline and federal government policies during Reconstruction.
Your objective is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of
the Federal Governments’ various approaches in terms of the ways that these
programs would impact white southerners and former slaves. In order to accomplish this, you must first
gain a better understanding of the various events and actions from 1863 to 1877
by reviewing a timeline. Then you need
to consider the positive and negative aspects of the three reconstruction plans
and the contents of the Reconstruction Amendments.
Research: Compare/Contrast the three reconstruction
plans:
- Abraham
Lincoln’s Presidential Plan (pages 477 – 478, Chapter 15)
- Presidential
Reconstruction / Andrew Johnson (p. 433, Chapter 16)
- Congressional
Reconstruction (Radical Reconstruction) (p. 488 – 493).
Pay specific attention to the decision to reorganize the south into
five military districts.
Sources:
- Reuniting
the Union: A Chronology: This includes a brief description of
the three plans for Reconstruction (Lincoln’s, Johnson’s and
Congress). Consult the pages listed
in the textbook as well.
- Reconstruction Amendments:
Textbook, Chart on page 489
Outcome for
Research:
Prepare a
chart or write a description that provides the following information and use
this information for comments in the discussion:
- A
comparison of among the three reconstruction plans that defines the
potential positive/negative impacts on white southerners and former
slaves.
- A
description of the ways that the 13th, 14th, and 15th
amendments provided former slaves (as well as all American citizens) their
civil rights and their civil liberties.
Category Two
(15 pts): The Meaning of Freedom
Before asked to do this research study, you already knew
that white southerners and freedmen (former slaves) were strongly divided in
the Southern states. Your study asks that
you determine some of the underlying causes of these divisions, so that, in
turn, you might be able to recommend some actions that would end the
conflicts. Therefore, you have decided
to research how each of these two groups defined the meaning of freedom.
Your objective
is to determine how each group defined the “meaning of freedom,” within the
context of the defeat of the South in the Civil War and the end of
slavery. You are curious: Does each group see the daily realities of their
basic freedom the same or different?
Sources:
Textbook, Chapter 16 – See the “Lives of Freed People.”
Includes information about white and black southerners.
The Meaning of Freedom: Black and
White Responses to the End of Slavery - Read this introduction and all listed
categories (These are visual images at the top of the page)
Perspective
of Former Slaves: See categories in The
Meaning of Freedom.
- Building
the Black Community: The Family
- Building
the Black Community: The Church
- Building
the Black Community: The School
- Question
for Economic & Political Rights
Perspective
of White Southerners - See Categories in the website The
Meaning of Freedom
·
See “White South’s Fearful Response”
(Chapter 16)
- Memory
and Mourning
- Violence
- Black Code of Mississippi
(1865) – separate link .
Outcome from
Research: Use the following for your comments in the discussion.
Identify two to three ways that (1) former slaves and (2)
white southerners defined the meaning of freedom in the years immediately after
the Civil War. Then answer the following
questions:
- Do
the definitions from these two groups have similar hopes?
- What
are the differences between these two definitions and/or why did conflict
occur between these two groups?
Category
Three (15 pts): From Slave Labor to Free
Labor
You understand that one of the biggest problems facing the
south at the end of the civil war was reestablishing its economy. You also know that this economy would
continue to be agricultural, heavily invested in cotton. Thus, white southerners needed to establish a
new system of labor to replace the shattered world of slavery, and former
slaves, who lacked money, education and skills as artisans, needed to find
work. Therefore, you have decided to
research the issue of labor in the South as part of your research study.
Your objective is to determine how white southerners
established a labor force that replaced slaves and how former slaves reacted to
the “employment opportunities” offered to them.
Sources:
- Textbook,
Chapter 16 – Economic Freedom by Degrees and “White Farmers During
Reconstruction.” (p. 496-499)
- From Slave Labor to Free Labor
- Sharecropping
- Jourdon
Anderson to His Former Master (1865)
- A Sharecrop Contract
Your Objective
is to gain a greater understanding of the economic issues facing white
southerners and freedmen, and from this understanding consider whether the
options of sharecropping and tenant farming benefited both groups.
Outcome
of Research: In the online discussion comment on the
positive and negative consequences of the approach to “free labor” in for the
white southerner and former slaves. List these and/or write a short summary.
Category
Four (30 points): Research Report on Reconstruction (Exam Essay)
This “research report” will serve as the exam essay for this
learning module. It is worth points. It is due on May 19. Your exam essay must
include information from the website The Meaning of Freedom: Black and
White Responses to the End of Slavery as well as the relevant pages in the
textbook.
Essay Topic: It is 1880. You have completed your research study on
Reconstruction, as requested by the federal government. Now you need to write
your report. In this report, you will
examine the positive and negative outcomes of the policies, programs, and laws
(reconstruction amendments) on the freedmen and white southerners.
For this you will examine (1) the federal reconstruction
plans; (2) the similarities and differences of the “meaning of freedom” for
freedmen and white southerners; and (3) the attitudes and actions toward free
labor. Throughout your report, you will provide specific examples from your
research. Feel free to include images from American Reconstruction to illustrate your points.
In addition to providing this analysis, you will conclude your report by
offering your opinion on the following question: “If the purpose of Reconstruction was to
create a social, political and framework in which white southerners and former
slaves could co-exist in a democratic system, do you think that Reconstruction
was a success or failure? (Be sure to
consider the contents and implications of the Reconstruction Amendments in this
conclusion.)
created by Susan Oliver, soliver@cerritos.edu