From: Anonymous Four
Date: 5/4/00
Time: 12:35:18 AM
Remote Name: 205.188.192.41
Was reconstruction for helping freed slaves and their economic opportunity? Well from the reading I would have to say no. After the war South Carolina had been pretty much destroyed with nothing left in the air but death. The war had ended slavery and most slaves had become free. But most slaves even though free found themselves still fighting to have equal rights of the land as did whites. Even though the republican party made many efforts to allow blacks equal rights the tension grew stronger. Blacks were faced with the rising viloence of hate groups such as the kkk and other secret societies which were organized to itimidate blacks who were trying to exercise their political rights. Many blacks appreciated their freedom, but what was the point in bing free if you do not have one of the most precious things in life a voice. Their opportunities for economic advancement were shot down because members of the democratic party were not in favor of blacks voting. The flipside of that was if blacks did vote they had to vote democratic or be whipped because the democratic party was now in control of the electoral machinery. Many saw reconstruction as a failure especially Henrry McNeal Turner. Turner who was born into freedom was elected into the state legistaure in 1868. He was considered on of the men who assumed leadership roles among the freedman but lost that title when Georgia expelled all black members. Turner beleived that the white man could not be trusted and that he would never grant blacks equal rights. So as a result he advocated separating the races. My point is that many people put their negative input into reconstruction of the south. But as the negativity grew the positive began to show it's face in the form of reunion between the races. Even though the reunion did not reach the point it should have reached many blacks paid and will continue to pay a heavy price for the valuable jewel we call equality.