The "New South": A Region in Transition

The South's journey after the Civil War and Reconstruction was marked by efforts to redefine itself, moving away from the ideals of the "Old South." Despite calls for a "New South" with industrial growth, the region faced significant challenges.

The Vision of a "New South"

Some leaders advocated for a self-sufficient southern economy based on:

Modern capitalist values
Industrial growth
Improved transportation

Henry Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, promoted this vision, advocating for economic diversity and laissez-faire capitalism.

Key Concept

Despite these efforts, the South remained primarily agricultural and the poorest region in the U.S. This was largely due to its late start in industrialization and a poorly educated workforce.

Agriculture in the "New South"

The end of slavery did not end the exploitation of African American labor. Landowners used systems like:

Sharecropping: Landowners provided resources to farmers in exchange for a portion of the crops. Many former slaves had little choice but to participate in this system.
Tenant Farming: Landowners rented out land to farmers, who paid rent through their crops.

Common Mistake

Don't confuse sharecropping and tenant farming. Sharecropping involves a share of the crop as payment, while tenant farming involves rent.

Social Status and Racial Segregation

Racial segregation severely limited social mobility and economic opportunity for African Americans. The KKK used violence to suppress Black voters and political participation. Lynching was widespread.

Voter suppression tactics included:

Literacy tests
Grandfather clauses
Poll taxes

Quick Fact

Remember the KKK's role in using violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights.

Supreme Court and Civil Rights

The Supreme Court made decisions that undermined the Fourteenth Amendment.

Civil Rights Cases of 1883: Ruled that Congress could not regulate private racial discrimination.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legalizing segregation. This ushered in the Jim Crow Era.

Memory Aid

Think of Plessy v. Ferguson as the case that made "separate but equal" the law of the land, enabling Jim Crow laws.

Colored Drinking Fountain

Image: A "Colored" drinking fountain, a stark reminder of the segregation of the Jim Crow era.

Voter Suppression Tactics

States employed various methods to disenfranchise Black voters:

Literacy tests: Difficult tests designed to prevent African Americans from voting.
Poll taxes: Fees required to vote, which many Black individuals could not afford.
White primaries: Primaries open only to white voters.
Grandfather clauses: Allowed voting only if one's grandfather had voted before Reconstruction.

Despite these challenges, leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Ida B. Wells advocated for civil rights.

Exam Tip

When discussing civil rights, be sure to mention key leaders and their different approaches to achieving equality.

Final Exam Focus

Key Themes: The struggle for economic and social equality in the South, the impact of Supreme Court decisions on civil rights, and the various methods of voter suppression.
High-Value Topics: Plessy v. Ferguson, Jim Crow laws, and the different approaches of civil rights leaders.
Common Pitfalls: Confusing sharecropping and tenant farming, and the specifics of the Civil Rights Cases.

Last-Minute Tips:

Time Management: Quickly identify the main point of the question and answer directly.
FRQ Strategies: Outline your essay before writing. Use specific historical evidence to support your claims.
MCQ Strategies: Eliminate wrong answers first. If unsure, make an educated guess.

Pay special attention to the impact of Supreme Court decisions on civil rights. These are frequently tested on the AP exam.

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the goals of the "New South" movement? (A) To restore the antebellum social order (B) To promote industrialization and economic diversification (C) To expand the plantation system (D) To limit the influence of Northern capitalists
The Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) had what effect on American society? (A) It outlawed segregation in public facilities (B) It established the principle of "separate but equal" (C) It upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (D) It led to the immediate desegregation of schools
Which of the following was NOT a method used to disenfranchise African American voters in the South? (A) Literacy tests (B) Poll taxes (C) Grandfather clauses (D) Property ownership requirements

Short Answer Question (SAQ)

Briefly explain ONE way that the agricultural system in the "New South" differed from that of the antebellum South. Briefly explain ONE way that it was similar.

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Evaluate the extent to which the South changed economically and socially in the period from 1877 to 1900. FRQ Scoring Breakdown

Thesis (1 point): Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question.
Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of economic and social changes in the South. (e.g., industrialization, sharecropping, Jim Crow laws, voter suppression).
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains the extent of change and continuity during this period. (e.g., the South remained largely agricultural despite industrial growth, or that racial inequality persisted despite the end of slavery).
Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or contradictory evidence. (e.g., acknowledging that some progress was made, but it was limited by racial discrimination).

The "New South"

Grace Lewis