How Did African Americans Influence The Government
Following the Civil War, the Republican party controlled every branch of power in the government (McPherson, 601). This political party emphasized its desire for racial and social equality; therefore, they gave African Americans official positions in the Southern government (Foner, 159). Despite racist ideologies, white politicians willingly shared some of their power with African Americans. What motivated white officials to share their power with African Americans? Were their choices genuine, or simply a way to push their political agenda to punish the South? African American made up the majority of the population in the South and so, white Americans recruited African American officeholders to ensure that they received African American voters’ support. Nevertheless, white Americans controlled the Southern government (Foner, 159).
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Regardless of who controlled the government, African Americans position within the government represented a breakthrough in social relations in America.
How did African Americans respond to their newfound political authority? William Beverly Nash, a former slave and South Carolina politician, stated, “We are not prepared for this suffrage. But we can learn… We may not understand it at the start, but in time we shall learn to do out duty” (McPherson, 603). Throughout American history, African Americans were oppressed, enslaved, and inferior. This period represented the first-time political changes benefited African Americans and so, they had no idea how to handle it. African Americans relied on the Freedmen’s Bureau to help them adjust to their new life in the South, which included their new political rights (McPherson, 605). It is probable that African Americans political position in the South weakened when this organization lost its support and power. Further, African Americans never achieved autonomy because they relied on white Americans to teach them how to exercise their
power.
Despite the presence of African American officials in Congress, these officials were primarily elites that were born free, educated, and residents of the North (McPherson, 602). On the other hand, eighty percent of Southern voters were former slaves (McPherson, 602). So, did the difference in economic status among African Americans impact the construction of the new government in the South? Although differences existed between African American elected officials and African American voters, they all shared the common goal to create and support legislation that protected their rights. African Americans, unlike white Americans who constantly fought over economic inequalities, did not care about economics because they united in order to emphasize the need for social and racial equality.
This dramatic shift in political power caused tremendous upheaval and chaos throughout the South. This particular era of Reconstruction is most notable for the immense amount of corruption that occurred in the Southern government. Although white southerners repeatedly condemned African Americans role in the government, they blamed them as the cause of the corruption. Southern Democrats sought to convince people that African Americans literally blackened America. Racist Americans used this behavior to reassert their white supremacy and the necessity for white men to rule.
Regardless of who controlled the government, African Americans position within the government represented a breakthrough in social relations in America.
How did African Americans respond to their newfound political authority? William Beverly Nash, a former slave and South Carolina politician, stated, “We are not prepared for this suffrage. But we can learn… We may not understand it at the start, but in time we shall learn to do out duty” (McPherson, 603). Throughout American history, African Americans were oppressed, enslaved, and inferior. This period represented the first-time political changes benefited African Americans and so, they had no idea how to handle it. African Americans relied on the Freedmen’s Bureau to help them adjust to their new life in the South, which included their new political rights (McPherson, 605). It is probable that African Americans political position in the South weakened when this organization lost its support and power. Further, African Americans never achieved autonomy because they relied on white Americans to teach them how to exercise their
power.
Despite the presence of African American officials in Congress, these officials were primarily elites that were born free, educated, and residents of the North (McPherson, 602). On the other hand, eighty percent of Southern voters were former slaves (McPherson, 602). So, did the difference in economic status among African Americans impact the construction of the new government in the South? Although differences existed between African American elected officials and African American voters, they all shared the common goal to create and support legislation that protected their rights. African Americans, unlike white Americans who constantly fought over economic inequalities, did not care about economics because they united in order to emphasize the need for social and racial equality.
This dramatic shift in political power caused tremendous upheaval and chaos throughout the South. This particular era of Reconstruction is most notable for the immense amount of corruption that occurred in the Southern government. Although white southerners repeatedly condemned African Americans role in the government, they blamed them as the cause of the corruption. Southern Democrats sought to convince people that African Americans literally blackened America. Racist Americans used this behavior to reassert their white supremacy and the necessity for white men to rule.