Mod 16 Reading Reforging the White Republic

.docx

School

Allen County Community College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

HIS 108

Subject

Political Science

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by Americus2002

1. Historian William E. Blum argues that the failure of Reconstruction can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of federal commitment, the rise of white supremacy, and the economic exploitation of African Americans. Blum contends that the federal government never fully committed to the task of Reconstruction. The federal government under President Andrew Johnson was reluctant to grant voting rights to African Americans and often sided with white Southerners in disputes over land and labor. This lack of commitment from the federal government allowed white Southerners to regain control of their states and eventually reimpose racial segregation. Blum also argues that the rise of white supremacy was a major factor in the failure of Reconstruction. White Southerners, who had lost the Civil War, were determined to maintain their social and economic dominance. They formed organizations like the Ku Klux Klan to intimidate and terrorize African Americans, preventing them from exercising their rights as citizens. Blum also highlights the economic exploitation of African Americans during Reconstruction. African Americans were forced into sharecropping arrangements, which kept them in poverty and under the control of white landowners. This economic exploitation further undermined the efforts of Reconstruction to create a more just and equitable society. In addition to these factors, Blum also argues that other historians have not paid enough attention to the role of Native Americans, women, and immigrants in Reconstruction. Blum contends that these groups were all affected by Reconstruction in different ways, and that their experiences must be considered to fully understand the period. Overall, Blum's argument is that Reconstruction failed because of a complex set of factors, including the lack of federal commitment, the rise of white supremacy, and the economic exploitation of African Americans. He also argues that other historians have not paid enough attention to the role of marginalized groups in Reconstruction. 2. The failure of Reconstruction was a complex event with many contributing factors. One of the most significant factors was the role of Northern whites. After the Civil War, many Northern whites were eager to help their Southern counterparts rebuild their lives and communities. However, as time went on, many Northerners became increasingly disillusioned with the South's slow pace of progress on racial issues. They also grew concerned about the rising power of white supremacist groups in the South. As a result, Northern whites became less supportive of Reconstruction efforts. This lack of support made it more difficult for the federal government to enforce Reconstruction policies and protect the rights of African Americans in the South. The book Race and Reunion by historian Eric Foner explores the relationship between Northern whites and Reconstruction. Foner argues that Northern whites were never fully committed to racial equality and that their support for Reconstruction was always conditional. As a result, when they became disillusioned with the South's progress on racial issues, they were willing to abandon Reconstruction altogether. The book How the South Lost the War and Won the Peace by historian Heather Cox Richardson also explores the role of Northern whites in the failure of Reconstruction. Richardson argues that Northern whites were more interested in restoring the Union than in achieving racial equality. As a result, they were willing to compromise with the South on racial issues to achieve their goal of national unity. Both Race and Reunion and How the South Lost the War and Won the Peace argue that Northern whites played a significant role in the failure of Reconstruction. However, the two books differ in their emphasis. Race and Reunion focuses on the issue of race and argues that Northern whites were never fully committed to racial equality. How the South Lost the War and Won the Peace, on the other hand, focuses on the issue of national unity and argues that Northern whites were more interested in restoring the Union than in achieving racial equality. In addition, the two books have different conclusions. Race and Reunion argues that the failure of Reconstruction was a tragedy for African Americans. How the South Lost the War and Won the Peace, on the other

hand, argues that the failure of Reconstruction was a victory for the South because it allowed them to maintain their white supremacist social order. The role of Northern whites in the failure of Reconstruction was complex and multifaceted. They were never fully committed to racial equality, and their support for Reconstruction was always conditional. As a result, when they became disillusioned with the South's progress on racial issues, they were willing to abandon Reconstruction altogether. The failure of Reconstruction was a tragedy for African Americans, and it allowed the South to maintain its white supremacist social order.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help