2. The Myth of Reconstruction Southerners fought against the North to protect local institutions and states’ rights The North won and then set out to deliberately enforce a policy of rape, pillage, plunder, and vindictive punishment on the South The South became controlled by vindictive Union soldiers, carpetbaggers, and scalawags
3. The Myth of Reconstruction Carpetbagger – Northerner who came to the broken South for economic opportunity. They claimed they had the South’s interests in mind, but were all about the money. Scalawags – Southerners who had always favored the Union; opposed secession, and sometimes taken up arms against the South (think of Gainesville)
4. The Myth of Reconstruction The North easily manipulated and subjected Southerners to unethical and inhumane punishment during Reconstruction They raised taxes, ruined the economy, and used military force to perpetuate their control as long as possible In essence, the South was a subjugated colony of the North (not any better off than the American colonies were in the 1760s and early 1770s)
8. The “Lost Cause” Term first appears in 1866 in historian Edward A. Pollard’s The Lost Cause: A New Southern History of the War of the Confederates Writings by Jubal A. Early for the Southern Historical Society in the 1870s push the “Lost Cause” mentality as a cultural phenomenon Historian Jason Phillips argues that the Confederate “culture of invincibility” evolved into the “Lost Cause” Confederates used religious overtones to justify their defeat and eventual redemption
9. The “Lost Cause” Major Concepts of the Movement/Cult Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson represented Southern nobility Northern generals represented low moral standards and subjected the Southerners to horrific evils (Grant and Sherman are key targets) Confederate losses on the battlefield were inevitable due to Northern superiority in resources and manpower (Industrialization Confederates losses are also attributed to betrayal of General Lee’s subordinates (mainly Gen. James Longstreet, but this is an opinion of Lt. Gen. Early)
10. The “Lost Cause” Major Concepts of the Movement/Cult Defense of states’ rights was the primary catalyst that led Southerners to secede from the Union Preservation of slavery was never a main tenant Secession was justifiable and a constitutional response to Northern cultural and economic aggression against the Southern way of life Slavery was a benign institution Slaves were loyal and faithful to their benevolent masters
11. The “Lost Cause” In Summary The movement was created in part for Southerners to cope with the dramatic political, social, and economic changes that came after the war This feeds directly into Southern animosity and the Southern Myth of Reconstruction In part, it also feeds groups such as the Ku Klux Klan The movement is transferred into the 20th century by the United Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy
12. The Reality of Reconstruction Most historians agree that Reconstruction was very moderate (compared to what it could have been) Reconstruction was a period of irregularity for Southerners as they tried to: Regain admission to the United States Rebuild their devastated economy Cope with the emotional baggage of defeat; the “Lost Cause” cult/mentality
13. The Reality of Reconstruction Reconstruction was politically, economically, and socially abnormal for the South Politically Northern imposed Reconstruction governments pursued active government that resulted in higher taxes Southerners preferred antebellum Southern government that was inactive and weak Traditional Democratic leaders in the South were disfranchised while blacks were temporarily enfranchised
14. The Reality of Reconstruction Economically Slavery was abolished The Southern economy was in ruins because of war debt and the lack of an large, inexpensive labor pool Socially Blacks were given limited rights This struck fear in the hearts of many Southerners
15. The Reality of Reconstruction Moderate Reality There were no mass executions of Confederate politicians or military personnel There was no nationalization or appropriation of plantation lands by the North The North did not force war reparation payments on the South The Reality of Industrialization The North was now the strongest section of the nation due to rapid population increases and industrialization As a result, the South was no longer an equal section of the nation.
16.
17. The plan indicated that any state would be reaccepted to the Union after 10% of the people who voted in the 1860 election took an oath to the United States.
18.
19. They were afraid the slave and plantation owners would quickly regain all their previous power.
29. Provisional Government President Andrew Johnson appoints Andrew Jackson Hamilton, former U.S. congressman and Unionist as provisional Texas Governor in June 1865 Johnson’s Terms of Reconstruction All seceded states must declare secession null and void Cancel all debt accumulated during the war Approve the Thirteenth Amendment Ended slavery Most people were required to take an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Johnson wanted to end Reconstruction quickly Exemptions to Johnson’s Reconstruction All high-ranking ex-Confederates Property owners with land values over $20,000
30. Provisional Government Political Factions in Texas (1865-1866) Slavery is the divisive issue Hamilton Unionists – proposed basic rights for freedmen; similar to national Republicans Conservative Unionists – opposed granting any freedoms to blacks beyond emancipation Conservative Democrats – former Secessionist Democrats; also opposed any freedoms for blacks beyond emancipation
31. Constitutional Convention of 1866 Gov. Hamilton attempted to appease President Johnson’s rapid reinstatement of former Confederate states Agenda Legal status of secession Declares secession illegal Controversy over Texas’ war debt Debt forgiven Issue of slavery Accepts the demise of slavery Does not accept the Thirteenth Amendment (finally does in 1870)
32. Constitutional Convention of 1866 Freedmen’s Rights Constitution grants blacks freedoms federal policy forced them to concede Right to purchase and sell property Right to sue and be sued Right to enter legally binding contracts Right to testify in court against other only other blacks Rights withheld Election and access to public office Jury participation Public schools 25 June 1866, the Constitution of 1866 was approved Essentially amended the Constitution of 1845
34. Presidential Reconstruction Election of 1866 Hamilton’s faction argues that the philosophy of the Union is the only way for Texas to be readmitted as a state; selects Elisha M. Pease to head the Union campaign James Webb Throckmorton, ex-Confederate general , appealed to the Conservative Democrats Denied blacks’ rights Advocated that a “radical” take-over by Unionists was possible Would lead to a new racial order in the South Political disarmament of ex-Confederates Denial of a rightful place for ex-Confederate states in the Union
35. Presidential Reconstruction Social Status of Freedmen Roughly 250,000 in Texas (1865) Some freedmen remained in slavery until 1868 Whites did not accept them as free Distrusted and feared them Saw them as an economic and social burden White racial superiority was the norm Paranoia over the potential mixing of black men and white women Later becomes one of the typical justifications for lynching against blacks
36. Black Codes in Texas 1866, Texas state legislature enacted this set of laws to dictate black economic progress Contract labor law (binding agreement) Could be thrown in prison and sent to work for the state if they refused to work Blacks prohibited from interracial mixture Could not hold public office Could not serve on juries or bear witness against a white person Could not vote The social conditions for blacks greatly deteriorated under Throckmorton and Presidential Reconstruction
46. Freedmen’s Bureau in Texas Education Teachers difficult to recruit Instruction not easy in an atmosphere promoting white supremacy School supplies hard to find 16 schools in 1865 Some improvements were made in health care and social aid for blacks
47. Freedmen’s Bureau in Texas Education Teachers difficult to recruit Instruction not easy in an atmosphere promoting white supremacy School supplies hard to find 16 schools in 1865 Some improvements were made in health care and social aid for blacks
49. Military Occupation Public Perception Texans openly condemned them Openly attacked them in hit-and-run operations Believed that the military was involved in too many aspects of their lives (violated rugged individualism’s version of republicanism) Goals Protecting the western and southern frontiers from Indian attacks Protecting the civil rights of freedmen and Unionists Escorting cattle herds Censoring the press Inspections and quarantines at ports Sanitation programs
51. Military Occupation Military issues Public drunkenness Stealing Soldiers destroyed farm goods Stole livestock Destruction of private property Openly criticized former Confederates
52. Republican Party Factions Not everyone was happy with President Johnson’s vision of Reconstruction, especially the Republicans Radical Republicans States should be treated like conquered provinces All means should be taken to guarantee the rights of freedmen All southerners should take an oath of allegiance before voting or serving in government Conservative Republicans Worried about mainstream Republican ideology Endorsing tariffs Promoting internal improvements Moderate Republicans Somewhere between the two extremes Overall, Republicans felt Johnson was too lenient and the Civil War was in vain if Southern states were brought back into the Union with prewar political/social structures
53. Republican Party Motives Question: Can radicalism be truly sincere? Opinion 1: Republicans were selfish and recruited blacks into their ranks to diminish the strength of hostile white southerners Opinion 2: Republicans were truly desiring to make a meaningful change in the South Really wanted blacks to have equality under the law
71. Elisha M. Pease – Texas Governor Congressional Reconstruction
72. Convention of 1868 Black Participation Republicans invited blacks to participate George T. Ruby of Galveston was the most prominent Black leaders demanded that voter registration boards included black members Roughly 48,000 freedmen registered to vote for the Convention of 1868 Despite violence, over 82 percent of registered blacks voted in February 1868 George T. Ruby
73. Constitutional Convention of 1868 Ab initio (from the beginning); “to be treated as invalid from the outset” Belief that all official acts passed under secession to help the Confederacy were null and void Belief in equality for freedmen Support for state financing of public schools Use of eastern railroad interests to build new lines in Texas Disenfranchisement of ex-Confederates Edmund J. Davis’ “Radical” faction believed in it Pease and Hamilton’s “Moderate” supporters rejected it This issue becomes the key argument for the convention By August 1868, the delegates disband without a constitution because funding ran out
74. Constitution of 1869 Delegates meet again in February 1869 to approve the measures presented in the convention from 1868 Departed from the Texas political tradition in numerous ways: Granted suffrage and general civil rights to blacks Enthusiastic support for all Texans to receive a public education Checks and balances between local/county and state statutes State laws increasing the power of the governor Attempted to keep railroad interests from taking public land
85. Essentially a para-military force that served the interests of Democrats, planters, and all those who wished for white supremacy to return to an “Old South”
97. The 1869 Election Radical Republican candidate – Edmund J. Davis Supported ab initio along with the 13th and 14th amendments Moderate Republicans – A. J. Hamilton Hamilton did not really care about their program Moderates were trying to appeal to Democrats Democrats do not nominate a candidate Some could not vote/hold office due to disenfranchisement Democrats were afraid another Dem. Governor would prolong Reconstruction in Texas Democrats were attempting to show their defiance by boycotting the polls
98. The 1869 Election Results: Davis wins; 39,838 to 39,005 (Hamilton) Democrats did not want to support a man who fled to the North and engaged in their politics (Hamilton) Constitution of 1869 approved 72,366 to 4,928 Pease resigned in September 1869 Texas military commander Gen. Reynolds appoints Davis governor in January 1870 After the U.S. Congress received results of the election, Texas was restored to the Union on 30 March 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill
99. Blacks in the Texas Legislature The Twelfth Legislature (1870-1871) 2 black senators 12 black representatives Constituted 12 percent of the membership George T. Ruby Established a political base in Galveston Became president of the Union League in 1868 Served as senator from Galveston from 1869-1873 Matt Gaines Self-educated slave who became a preacher after the war Advocate in the Texas Senate for African-American causes and constant critic of those temperate on race issues
100.
101. E. J. Davis’ Administration Most agree he initiated Radical Reconstruction in Texas Assisted primarily by scalawags Agenda Organize a state police force Empowered to assist local officials Organize a state militia Guard the frontier and Mexican border Homestead program to encourage farming 160 acres for those who worked land for 3 yrs. Bureau of Immigration To attract European settlers Public School System More railroad construction projects Higher taxes came as a result of this progressive agenda
102. Davis’ Critics Extravagant Spending Most of the state’s revenue under Davis went to funding: Law enforcement School System Frontier Defense These were issues common to Texas’ political ideals Opponents condemned Davis on the following points: Central gov’t usurpation of local autonomy Davis was too friendly with Northern railroads Believed state taxation was unnecessary
103. Democratic Take-Over (1873) Democrats won majorities in both houses of the Thirteenth Legislature (1873) Democrats began an assault against Davis’ programs Cut his public school system Abolished the state police Changed the homestead policy to make land less affordable However, they passed an amendment to use land grants to entice railroad construction
115. Sharing the risk of owning land; black and white farmers participate
116. Crop-Lien System – farmers have to commit a portion of their year’s crops as collateral for purchasing needed goods
117.
118. Freedmen Potential Jobs Cowboys (working ranches in East Texas) State Police or Militia Army service on the frontier Women’s jobs Worked in white households Menial tasks for substandard wages Some black Texans managed to start businesses, but this was rare at the time
119. Freedmen Religion Independent black churches rose in number during Reconstruction Churches served many functions: Religious services Social activities Educational instruction Political planning Workforce planning Religion reinforced people’s sense of morality and proper behavior A majority of blacks joined the Baptist denomination during this era Methodists also represented a significant percentage
122. Redemptive Reconstruction Gubernatorial Election of 1874 Davis ran again on a Republican ticket Richard Coke ran as a Conservative Democrat Ex-Confederate from Waco “Redemptive Democrats” Restoring states’ rights Overthrowing the Republican/freedmen coalition “Redeeming Texas” to its former glory Coke won the election 100,415 to 52,141
123. Transition Issues Ex parte Rodriguez Texas Supreme Court case that ruled Coke’s election illegal Rodriguez, citizen from Harris County, found to have voted twice Caused a panic among Republicans regarding voter fraud The “Semi-Colon Court” Rodriguez’s lawyers asserted that the 1869 Constitution was in conflict with a law passed by the 13th Legislature “…all elections shall be held at the county seats until otherwise provided by law; and the polls shall be open for four days”
124. Transition Issues The “Semi-Colon Court” Supreme Court argued that the semicolon made the two clauses independent Thus, the legislature could not alter the voting period Davis’ Issue Option 1: Disregard the Supreme Court and uphold the election Option 2: Uphold the Supreme Court’s action and disregard the election Davis wired President Grant for assistance Grant replies he wants nothing to do with the issue Davis assumes that Grant wanted him to disregard the Supreme Court’s decision
125. Coke’s Administration Agenda Appealed to business interests Moderate endorsement of railroad and industrial expansion Also appealed to agrarian sentiments Farmer’s society known as the “Grange” greatly supported Coke The “Redeemer” Agenda Republicans destroyed Southern prosperity It was up to the “Redeemers” to deliver the South from Republican rule How? Moderate industrialization Lower expenses of gov’t Lower taxes Create an inexpensive labor supply
126. Constitution of 1876 Democrats demanded a new constitution Wanted to erase Reconstruction mandates Wanted to overturn Republican successes for freedmen Return to limited government Davis calls a convention in 1875 75 of the 90 delegates were professed Democrats 41 farmers made the largest professional bloc Lawyers came in second with 29 Notable delegates Lawrence “Sul” Ross John S. “Rip” Ford
127.
128. Constitution of 1876 Return to Jacksonian Democracy Limited gov’t and frugality Used the Constitution of 1845 as a model Prohibited the state from chartering banks Texas could regulate corporations and railroad companies State debt ceiling of $200,000 Virtually abolished the public school system Set a strict tax rate
129.
130. Constitution of 1876 Return to Jacksonian Democracy Limited gov’t and frugality Used the Constitution of 1845 as a model Prohibited the state from chartering banks Texas could regulate corporations and railroad companies State debt ceiling of $200,000 Virtually abolished the public school system Set a strict tax rate
131. Constitution of 1876 Suffrage and Poll Taxes Delegates from East Texas wanted a poll tax To disfranchise blacks (most could not afford to pay the tax) Republicans and Grangers defeated the proposal A poll tax is later added though Struck down voter registration Disfranchised women Aliens could vote though Essentially, it was a return to Jacksonian concepts of universal manhood suffrage
132.
133. Constitution of 1876 The Executive Branch Governor had traditional charge to oversee the execution of laws, but had no real authority to do so Goes back to distrust of central government Term of office cut from 4 to 2 years Governor could veto legislation Legislature can override with 2/3s vote Governor can call special session of the legislature Voters would now choose: Lieutenant governor Comptroller Treasurer Land Commissioner Attorney General
134. Constitution of 1876 Education Many argued that parents should bear responsibility for education White landowners did not want to pay to educate black children Grangers advocated for local control of education Can save money and establish schools that worked around crop cycles Constitution passed a $1 tax on males between 21 and 60 to support “state education” No provisions for local taxes and funding for community schools Public education remained inadequate as a result
135. Constitution of 1876 Public School Land Constitution endowed a permanent school fund from land previously set aside The University of Texas took away the 3 million acres granted in 1858 However, it was granted 1 million acres over pools of oil
136. Constitution of 1876 Adoption Approved 53 to 11 in November 1875 Legacy Texas still operates under the Constitution of 1876 One of the longest and convoluted state constitutions in the country Alabama and California edge out Texas on length The document is highly restrictive in nature State of Texas only has powers explicitly granted No “Necessary and Proper Clause” Essentially functions as a limiting document Revision As of November 2009, 643 amendments proposed, 467 approved
