What happened at the removal of black legislators from the Georgia General assembly during reconstruction?
During the Reconstruction period in the United States following the Civil War, African Americans gained political representation in various state legislatures, including Georgia. However, as Reconstruction came to an end in the 1870s, white supremacist groups emerged, seeking to regain control and limit black political power. These groups employed violence, intimidation, and fraud to suppress African American political participation.
In Georgia, the 1872 gubernatorial election saw widespread violence and fraud perpetrated by white Democrats against Republicans, including African Americans. In response, federal authorities declared martial law in several counties and used military force to ensure a fair election. However, the federal troops were soon removed, and Democrats regained control over the state.
In 1875, the Georgia General Assembly passed the "Act to Repress and Punish Outrages," which was essentially aimed at targeting African American legislators. The law falsely accused black politicians, particularly those in rural areas, of committing crimes such as illicit gambling, bribery, and fraudulent practices. It targeted both sitting and newly elected black legislators.
The Act to Repress and Punish Outrages resulted in the removal of all black legislators from the Georgia General Assembly. These politically motivated removals were arbitrary and unjust, effectively disenfranchising African Americans and consolidating white power in the state. The Georgia General Assembly became predominantly white and remained so for decades, with limited African American representation until the Civil Rights era in the mid-20th century.