Which of the following groups supported Radial Reconstructon? Choose all hat apply.
•businesspeople interested in rebuilding
•newly freed African Americans
rich, white landowners
scalawags
To determine which groups supported Radial Reconstruction, we will examine each option.
1. Businesspeople interested in rebuilding: After the Civil War, many business elites recognized the economic opportunities that arose from the need for reconstruction and rebuilding. They supported Radial Reconstruction because it aimed to rebuild the South's economy and infrastructure, creating potential business ventures and investment opportunities.
2. Newly freed African Americans: Radial Reconstruction was a period that followed the abolition of slavery, and it granted political and civil rights to African Americans. As a result, newly freed African Americans generally supported Radial Reconstruction because it provided them with the opportunity to exercise their newfound rights and achieve equality.
3. Rich, white landowners: While some wealthy and influential white landowners benefited from Radial Reconstruction, it is important to note that many of them had resisted and resented the social and political changes brought about by the Reconstruction era. They often felt threatened by the empowerment of African Americans and the restructuring of Southern society.
4. Scalawags: Scalawags were Southern Republicans—often white, non-slaveholding farmers or small business owners—who supported the Radial Reconstruction policies. They saw the Republican Party as a vehicle for economic modernization, infrastructure development, and a means to increase their own influence within Southern politics.
In summary, the groups that supported Radial Reconstruction include businesspeople interested in rebuilding, newly freed African Americans, and scalawags. It is important to note that while some rich white landowners may have supported certain aspects of Radial Reconstruction, they were generally less supportive due to their concerns about the changes brought about by the Reconstruction era.