The "NEW" South [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 4] Period 6: 1865-1898

What is the New South?

Introduction to the New South

• The video discusses the concept of the "New South" and its evolution from 1877 to 1898, aiming to explore factors contributing to continuity and change in Southern society.

• The term "New South" was coined by Henry Grady, editor of The Atlanta Constitution, who envisioned a transformed Southern economy post-Civil War.

Economic Vision and Growth

• Grady's vision included economic diversity, industrial growth, and laissez-faire capitalism as essential for revitalizing the South.

• Southern cities began experiencing industrial growth, surpassing New England in textile manufacturing; population growth and railroad expansion also matched or exceeded national rates.

Limitations of Change

• Despite some industrial advancements in select areas, much of the South remained predominantly agricultural with little overall transformation.

• Sharecropping emerged as a labor system where individuals worked land owned by others in exchange for a share of crops; however, it often resulted in perpetual debt akin to slavery.

Racial Segregation Post-Reconstruction

End of Reconstruction

• The Compromise of 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction, leading to federal troop withdrawal from Southern states which facilitated racial segregation.

Plessy v. Ferguson Case

• Racial segregation became legally sanctioned through the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which upheld separate facilities for blacks and whites under the doctrine "separate but equal."

• Homer Plessy's challenge against Louisiana's segregation law highlighted systemic racism; he was arrested for sitting in a whites-only car despite being mostly white.

Impact on Society

• Following this ruling, Jim Crow Laws proliferated across various societal aspects including public transportation and facilities—leading to widespread discrimination against black individuals.

• Black citizens faced significant legal disenfranchisement during this period; they were often denied jury service or public office opportunities.

Resistance Against Oppression

Notable Reformers

• Despite rampant violence against black communities—including over a thousand lynchings in the 1890s—there was notable resistance led by reformers advocating for civil rights.

Key Figures:

1. Ida B. Wells:

• An editor who campaigned vigorously against lynching and Jim Crow laws despite facing threats and mob violence; she eventually relocated North to continue her activism.

2. Henry Turner:

• [] (not fully detailed in provided text but mentioned as an important figure).

Migration of Black Americans to Africa

Overview of Migration to Liberia

• The migration of black Americans to Africa, particularly Liberia, involved several thousand individuals. However, this venture proved unsustainable due to economic hardships faced by Liberian inhabitants and the prevalence of diseases in Africa.

Booker T. Washington's Perspective

• Booker T. Washington emerged as a controversial figure in the struggle for equality among black Americans. He believed that political activism was not necessary for achieving equality.

• Washington advocated for economic self-sufficiency among black people, arguing that financial independence would empower them politically and lead to greater influence at the voting booth.

• As a former enslaved laborer, Washington exemplified his philosophy through personal success and dedicated efforts to assist others in achieving similar economic stability.