Analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia from 1865 to 1877 and SS8H7 Evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia during the New South Era following Reconstruction.
Where are we going with this information?
Each lesson in this unit builds on the foundation you established in Semester A when we surveyed the causes and course of the Civil War. Now we are looking at the years after the war, when Georgians are reorganizing their communities to incorporate the changes brought about by that conflict.
1) You will learn about the challenges facing Georgia farmers as they looked for ways to continue growing cotton, their most valuable cash crop. You should be able to distinguish between two solutions to that problem -- sharecropping and tenant farming -- and analyze their impact on both landowners and farm workers.
2) You will evaluate the decisions that political leaders, community organizers and journalists made which affected Georgia's government and economy during the New South Era. These individuals include three former Confederates (a "triumvirate") who gained control of the state government's efforts to rebuild the economy. Another thought leader was a dynamic newspaper editor named Henry Grady who advocated for a "new" South. The view of post-Civil War progress that the Triumvirate and Grady shared would support industry and factories in growing urban areas. Henry Grady inspired a series of International Cotton Expositions in Atlanta that put a spotlight on Georgia's potential as a railroad and manufacturing center for the south.
3) You'll also meet Tom Watson who began his political career fighting for farmers and small businesses under the name of the Populist party.
During these years, Georgians lived in a community shaped by the struggle to make a living from agriculture, by the attraction of life in cities where diverse jobs were available, and by the political decisions that reflected the needs of an increasingly mobile and educated population.
These three stories will continue to dominate decisions about Georgia's growth into the years of World War 1.
The impact of Reconstruction on Georgia from 1865 to 1877 was significant. In the aftermath of the Civil War, Georgia experienced profound political, social, and economic changes.
Politically, Reconstruction saw the end of the Confederacy and the establishment of new governments in the South. Georgia was placed under military rule and had to undergo the process of readmission to the Union. The state also witnessed the passage of the Reconstruction Acts, which mandated the enfranchisement of newly freed African Americans and the extension of civil rights to all citizens. This led to the election of African American politicians and the establishment of biracial governments. However, the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan undermined these gains and eventually led to the removal of federal troops from the South and the reinstatement of white control in Georgia politics.
Socially, Reconstruction brought about significant changes for African Americans in Georgia. The abolition of slavery meant that they were no longer property but free citizens. They gained the right to marry, own property, and attend school. However, their newfound freedom was constantly threatened by violence, discrimination, and the Black Codes, which sought to reestablish white control and restrict the rights of African Americans. The Reconstruction period also witnessed the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, which provided assistance to newly freed slaves, including education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Economically, Georgia faced challenges during Reconstruction. The plantation system, which had relied on enslaved labor, was disrupted, and many planters struggled to adjust to the new labor conditions. Sharecropping and tenant farming emerged as solutions, allowing farmers to continue growing cotton with the help of African American laborers. However, these systems often trapped workers in cycles of debt and poverty. Additionally, the war had devastated Georgia's infrastructure, and the state had to rebuild its economy and transportation networks.
Following Reconstruction, during the New South Era, Georgia experienced key political, social, and economic changes. Political power was consolidated in the hands of the "triumvirate," composed of three former Confederates, who sought to rebuild Georgia's economy and attract industry and investment. They promoted railroad expansion, industrialization, and the growth of cities. Journalists and leaders like Henry Grady advocated for a "new" South that embraced industrialization and urbanization. Grady's vision inspired the International Cotton Expositions in Atlanta, which showcased Georgia's potential as an industrial and manufacturing center.
However, not all Georgians benefited from this vision of progress. Tom Watson emerged as a political leader fighting for farmers and small businesses, particularly through his involvement in the Populist party. Watson sought to address the concerns of rural Georgians and challenge the power of the triumvirate and big business interests.
Overall, the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia was complex and multifaceted. It brought political rights and opportunities for African Americans, but also witnessed the rise of white supremacy and the curtailment of these gains. The New South Era following Reconstruction saw Georgia's transformation into a more industrial and urbanized state, but also highlighted the conflicts and tensions between different segments of society. These changes would continue to shape Georgia's growth and development leading up to World War 1.