Violence in Reconstruction
19 September 2013
The Violence of Reconstruction Though the Civil War brought about an officially reunited country and the freedom of slaves, it set a precedent for our burgeoning country that social change happens quickly where blood is spilled. This violent state of mind paved the way for a reconstruction era that was largely detrimental to the progress of the United States as a nation, especially in the case of newly-freed African Americans. After the confederacy was disbanded, Black codes attempted to keep African-Americans out of cities and towns. Vigilante groups continued the actions of disrespect and violence toward freedmen, instilling fear and animosity between whites and blacks. These African-Americans had nothing but their own freedom to begin with, and now they feared violence in retaliation for exercising that freedom. Contrary to popular belief, the Civil War was fought mainly on economic grounds. The southern economy thrived mainly due to the fact that southerners used slave labor. With the slaves freed, the southerners had fewer resources for waging war. Because the 13th Amendment was passed for economical reasons as opposed to humanitarian reasoning, there were no provisions for fair treatment of freedmen or restitution for oppression. After the Civil War, the white men that took over reconstruction politics immediately set out to draw lines between the white and black communities. These discriminatory laws were called “black codes.” One set of black codes from the town of Opelousas declares that, “…no negro or freedman shall be allowed to come within the limits of the town without special permission…” (Estillette, 6) The same document goes on to restrict freedmen from carrying guns, congregating, and participating in commerce – all rights due to American citizens through the Bill of Rights. This separation led to an animosity that continued to spark violence for nearly a century afterward. Not every white person was against blacks
The Violence of Reconstruction Though the Civil War brought about an officially reunited country and the freedom of slaves, it set a precedent for our burgeoning country that social change happens quickly where blood is spilled. This violent state of mind paved the way for a reconstruction era that was largely detrimental to the progress of the United States as a nation, especially in the case of newly-freed African Americans. After the confederacy was disbanded, Black codes attempted to keep African-Americans out of cities and towns. Vigilante groups continued the actions of disrespect and violence toward freedmen, instilling fear and animosity between whites and blacks. These African-Americans had nothing but their own freedom to begin with, and now they feared violence in retaliation for exercising that freedom. Contrary to popular belief, the Civil War was fought mainly on economic grounds. The southern economy thrived mainly due to the fact that southerners used slave labor. With the slaves freed, the southerners had fewer resources for waging war. Because the 13th Amendment was passed for economical reasons as opposed to humanitarian reasoning, there were no provisions for fair treatment of freedmen or restitution for oppression. After the Civil War, the white men that took over reconstruction politics immediately set out to draw lines between the white and black communities. These discriminatory laws were called “black codes.” One set of black codes from the town of Opelousas declares that, “…no negro or freedman shall be allowed to come within the limits of the town without special permission…” (Estillette, 6) The same document goes on to restrict freedmen from carrying guns, congregating, and participating in commerce – all rights due to American citizens through the Bill of Rights. This separation led to an animosity that continued to spark violence for nearly a century afterward. Not every white person was against blacks