Question

In the aftermath of the reconstruction era white southerners took extreme measures to redefines the south. In 2-3 paragraphs discuss how and why southerners worked to remove black rights after reconstruction. Why was it important to them to work around the reconstruction amendments? (Especially the 5th amendments)

Answer 1

After Reconstruction, white Southerners took extreme measures to ensure that African-Americans did not gain political power. One of the reasons why is because they feared that African-Americans would elect individuals who would try to change the southern way of life. In order to stop this from happening, several actions were taken.

1) Voting obstacles- Even though the 15th amendment said the no one can be stopped from voting based on race, color, or past servitude, many southern states went around this by implementing literacy tests and poll taxes. These tests and taxes significantly affected the African-American community, as many of them did not have a formal education nor a large enough income to vote.

2) Development of Ku Klux Klan- This organization used violence, intimidation, and threats to ensure that African-Americans did not use the rights guaranteed to them in the constitution.