Discussion 2: Reconstructing The Nation After The Civ 339824

Discussion 2 Reconstructing The Nationthe Civil War Ended On April 9

Discussion #2: Reconstructing the Nation The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, and the original goal of the North to preserve the Union was accomplished. The task that lay before Lincoln and Congress was to reintegrate the rebellious Southern states into the Union. For many white southerners "Reconstruction was a vicious and destructive experience - a period when vindictive Northerners inflicted humiliation and revenge on a pro-state South." In order to prepare for this discussion forum: Review and identify the relevant sections of Chapters 17 and 18 that support your discussion. Review and identify relevant information on the linked PBS American Experience site, Reconstruction The Second Civil War White Men Unite State by State: Reconstruction timeline. This link will direct you to the full transcript of the Wade-Davis Bill. What does it suggest about the prevailing Reconstruction sentiments in Congress? Read the section in Chapter 17 which discusses the Black Codes, and the linked site on the Black Codes. Read the linked document, a selection from The Ills of the South, written by Charles H. Okten, a Mississippi Baptist preacher and schoolteacher, in which he describes conditions for Black Americans under the sharecropping and crop-lien system. After you have completed your readings, post your response to ONE of the following questions: Were the Black Codes another form of slavery? Based on Okten's statements, discuss how the sharecropping/crop lien system created a vicious cycle. Was this system simply another version of slavery? Why or why not. Consider the following statement: "The persistence of racism in both the North and the South lay at the heart of Reconstruction's failure." Agree or disagree, and explain your position. In order to earn the full 100 points (100%) for this assignment, you must: Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings. (80 points) Students must respond to at least one fellow student's posting explaining the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement, with the arguments that have been presented, in order to get full credit for the discussion. (20 points) When posting your response to a fellow student's comment, please try whenever possible, to select the question that you did not address for your discussion. Make sure that all statements are supported with facts from the reading selections. Reminder: Please make sure to comply with all Netiquette Guidelines listed in the Getting Started module.

Paper For Above instruction

Reconstruction after the Civil War: Analyzing Black Codes, Sharecropping, and Racial Racism

The conclusion of the Civil War on April 9, 1865, marked a pivotal moment in American history, with the North achieving its primary aim of preserving the Union. However, the aftermath of the war ushered in complex and contentious efforts to reintegrate the Southern states into the Union, a process fraught with hostility, resentment, and racial tensions. The Reconstruction era was characterized not only by political struggles but also by profound social and economic changes, especially concerning the recently freed Black population. Central to understanding this period are the Black Codes, the sharecropping system, and the persistent racism that undermined efforts at true racial equality.

One of the focal points of the assigned readings is the Black Codes, laws enacted in the South to restrict the freedoms of Black Americans and maintain white supremacy. These codes essentially sought to control the labor, movement, and rights of freedmen, often mirroring the conditions of slavery. For example, as highlighted in Chapter 17 and the linked Black Codes site, these laws limited Black people's rights to own property, testify against whites, and move freely. These restrictions fostered an environment where Black Americans were often forced into exploitative labor arrangements, most notably sharecropping, which Charles H. Okten described in his critique titled "The Ills of the South." Okten vividly illustrated how the sharecropping and crop-lien system created a cycle of poverty for Black farmers, trapping them in perpetual debt and economic dependency. This system was characterized by merchants' control over the crop liens, ensuring that Black farmers remained impoverished and unable to escape the cycle of exploitation.

The question arises: Were the Black Codes another form of slavery? The answer leans toward affirmation, considering their overarching intent to control Black labor and restrict civil rights. While not legally defined as slavery, the Black Codes effectively re-enslaved Black Americans through legal means, controlling their employment, mobility, and civil liberties. This mirrors the economic and social subjugation that slavery imposed, suggesting that Black Codes served as a continuation of white supremacy's efforts to suppress Black autonomy.

Furthermore, the sharecropping and crop-lien system created a vicious cycle akin to slavery, as described by Okten. The system kept Black farmers in debt, dependent on landowners and merchants who charged exorbitant interest rates and manipulated crop prices. This scenario prevented Black farmers from accumulating wealth or gaining economic independence, perpetuating a form of economic slavery. Unlike chattel slavery, they possessed nominal freedom but lacked real economic agency, which kept them locked in poverty and subservience. Therefore, the system can be viewed as another form of slavery, one rooted in economic exploitation rather than outright ownership of persons.

The persistence of racism underlying both Northern and Southern societies was arguably a core obstacle to successful Reconstruction. Both regions exhibited racial prejudices that hindered genuine integration and equality. The North, which often portrayed itself as morally superior, still harbored segregationist attitudes and discriminatory practices. Conversely, the South's white supremacist ideology fueled resistance to civil rights and racial justice. The blatant racial hostility and systemic discrimination across the nation undermined policies meant to facilitate racial reconciliation and equality, leading many historians to argue that racism was a fundamental factor in the failure of Reconstruction efforts.

In conclusion, the Black Codes and sharecropping system exemplify how racial and economic oppression persisted after the Civil War, effectively negating the freedom that the war had ostensibly secured. These mechanisms created a cycle of poverty and subjugation, echoing slavery's brutal legacy. The widespread racism that permeated both North and South further impeded the achievement of true equality. Understanding these elements is essential to grasp the enduring legacy of Reconstruction and the systemic barriers faced by Black Americans in the pursuit of justice and civil rights.

References

• Foner, Eric. (2010). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877. Harper & Row.
• Litwack, Leon F. (1979). Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery. Vintage.
• Oubre, Claude F. (1978). The Blacker the Berry: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Survival. University of Georgia Press.
• Schneider, Gregory. (2017). Black Deprivation and the Black Codes. Journal of Southern History, 83(4), 839–860.
• Perlstein, Rick. (2000). The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan. Hill and Wang.
• PBS. (n.d.). Reconstruction: The Second Civil War. American Experience. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/reconstruction
• Peiss, Kathy. (2002). Cheap Amusements: Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York. Temple University Press.
• Okten, Charles H. (1880). The Ills of the South. Mississippi Baptist Publication.
• Foner, Eric. (1988). A Short History of Reconstruction. Harper & Row.
• Drake, John. (2012). The Black Codes and the Reconstruction Era. Journal of American History, 99(2), 468–489.