Reconstruction was an attempt to reconstruct the labor system in the South. This is shown in the way many laws were put in place that kept ex-slaves trapped in a system that mimicked slavery and the way the economic system shifted toward one that produced more with less labor (industrialization).
Reconstruction began in 1865, when the Civil War was over and the South was left destroyed. The South’s economy depended on the labor that the slaves had provided; now, slaves were free. By losing their slaves, they lost their labor, and therefore, their wealth.
Although slaves were now technically free, the South forced them to act like slaves, without the label. Under presidential reconstruction, the Southern states established Black Codes—laws …show more content…
Before, livestock roamed freely, allowing ex-slaves to have livestock, and make money by selling the babies of the livestock. The Fence Laws fenced in the animals, which meant that in order to have livestock, you had to have land. This forced ex-slaves to find other means of living.
Even after Reconstruction, the South tried to reconstruct the institution of slavery. They reestablished all of the Black Codes, and passed laws that gave lengthy time for minor problems. Stealing ten dollars was enough to land you five years in prison. There, they leased prisoners to people to have them work in their plantations and factories. Convict leasing specifically targeted black men and women.
The period of Reconstruction consisted of the South trying to reconstruct the institution of slavery by limiting ex-slaves’ economic opportunity in order to maintain their workforce.
Industrialization was also coming along, with machines, factories, and railroads increasing the scope of business, and increasing the wealth of big businesses. Under the Liberal Republicans, lots of money was given to these big businesses, at the expense of poor Southerners.
During reconstruction, industrialization and slavery were used as a means to generate wealth for a poor South, through a labor
Reconstruction began in 1865, when the Civil War was over and the South was left destroyed. The South’s economy depended on the labor that the slaves had provided; now, slaves were free. By losing their slaves, they lost their labor, and therefore, their wealth.
Although slaves were now technically free, the South forced them to act like slaves, without the label. Under presidential reconstruction, the Southern states established Black Codes—laws …show more content…
Before, livestock roamed freely, allowing ex-slaves to have livestock, and make money by selling the babies of the livestock. The Fence Laws fenced in the animals, which meant that in order to have livestock, you had to have land. This forced ex-slaves to find other means of living.
Even after Reconstruction, the South tried to reconstruct the institution of slavery. They reestablished all of the Black Codes, and passed laws that gave lengthy time for minor problems. Stealing ten dollars was enough to land you five years in prison. There, they leased prisoners to people to have them work in their plantations and factories. Convict leasing specifically targeted black men and women.
The period of Reconstruction consisted of the South trying to reconstruct the institution of slavery by limiting ex-slaves’ economic opportunity in order to maintain their workforce.
Industrialization was also coming along, with machines, factories, and railroads increasing the scope of business, and increasing the wealth of big businesses. Under the Liberal Republicans, lots of money was given to these big businesses, at the expense of poor Southerners.
During reconstruction, industrialization and slavery were used as a means to generate wealth for a poor South, through a labor