Chapter 15 Worksheet

 

Chapter 15 – Reconstruction & Renewal      

Name: Steven Stallone

Who is the author of this chapter and what information can you find about the author elsewhere in the text?      

The author of Chapter 15 is Jerrell H. Shofner.

 

According to this chapter, lists 2 things that were in desperate need of “reconstruction” 

 

Two things that were in desperate need of reconstruction were the government and Civil rights laws. President Johnson permitted most former confederates to participate in forming a new government (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). Governor Marvin registered white males and called an election for a new constitution. Slavery, debts from the confederacy, and the succession from the union were repudiated by a legislature (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). The newly formed Florida government was comprised of white confederates which caused concerns in Washington. Anderson J. Peeler wanted to preserve the institution of slavery and laws were passed that discriminated against black citizens. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). Congress and President Johnson developed a depraved relationship causing congress to enact a civil rights law and gave authority to the U.S Army. Congress eventually would implement its own reconstruction plan after President Johnson’s failure and martial law was reinstated. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 264).

 

Florida stands apart from other areas of the South in the way that General Newton handled two main areas: politics & freedmen.  Discuss both.

 

General Newton instructed Florida planters to assemble their former slaves and pay them in harvest to remain on the plantations (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 260). This was an emergency measure by the U.S Army that was implemented so people would have food for the winter. The legislature was legitimized and would cause controversy over the legal status of freemen but it was back by military order. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

Demand for cotton was (increasing or decreasing) during the early years of reconstruction.

                                                    CIRCLE ONE              

 

 

White And black farmers alike were given a new structure in which to run their land (called by 3 different terms in the text).  What is one of the names of this new agricultural system used by the author?

One of the names of the new agricultural systems is Sharecropping (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

What 2 issues engulfed Florida as well as the entire nations, just as Lincoln feared it would?

Two issues that engulfed Florida as Lincoln feared it would was Florida’s readmission to the Union and the status of freedmen as citizens (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

 

Shofner describes a very sticky situation in regards to President Johnson restoring land ownership to former confederates.  Reflect on how this affects the statewide condition at the time.

 

The Direct Tax Commission allowed the foreclosure and sale of Confederate property within Union lines. It transferred Confederate property to Unionists, many of whom were freedmen. When President Johnson restored ownership to Confederates it caused a struggle in the reconstruction of Florida because the property was being occupied by black citizens and Unionists. The issues remained until the 1890’s. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

 

 

What does the text mean about Lincoln’s “non-punitive ideas”?

The author is implying that President Johnson would follow Lincoln’s plans and allow the confederates to participate in creating a new government to maintain Florida’s status as part of the Union. Instead of punishing the Confederates, he would allow them to rebuild Florida but as part of the Union.

 

 

 

 

We know that “Black Codes” took shape despite the efforts of the Freedman’s Bureau.  Discuss the ways that Florida fell into the practices.

Legislature complied and presented by Anderson J. Peeler discriminated against black citizens by not letting black citizens testify in cases among whites and substituted corporal punishment for fines and imprisonment for blacks convicted of crimes. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262).

 

 

 

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1865 so ineffective?

The Civil Rights Act of 1865 was so ineffective because of the constant battle between President Johnson and Congress. President Johnson proceeded with the “Presidential Reconstruction” without calling congress into a session which caused congress to recognize the President’s efforts. President Johnson was unwilling to compromise on the revisions needed to his plan which caused congress to pass the civil rights laws. Since there was so much division, General Ulysses S. Grant was stuck in the middle of following the orders of the President and the laws of congress. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 263).

 

 

What legislative measures marked the end of martial law in Florida?

 

President Johnson vetoed the civil rights laws and proclaimed an end to the “insurrection” with the intention of removing Martial Law. Congress voted to override the President’s veto of the Civil Rights Act because the President was unwilling to readmit the succeeded states without promising fair treatment to freedmen (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 263).

 

 

Describe the internal divisions that developed in Florida during the reconstruction years.

Since there was no government, the military took it upon itself to start giving orders. When voting began and political positions started filling up with Confederates, they began to enact laws that were different from that of the Union. President Johnson and Congress were in a political clash causing citizens and leaders to be confused on what laws to follow or what direction the state was headed. Laws were unclear causing military leaders like General Foster to resign. When congress enacted their own plan, Floridan’s were divided over what course to follow. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 264).

 

 

 

What 2 measures were taken by conservative whites to prevent Freedmen from exercising their rights to suffrage?

Conservative whites denied credit and land rentals to freedmen who voted republican. Vigilantes used violence and intimidation to discourage or prevent black from excising their voting rights. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268).

 

 

 

What is the contrasting difference between reconstruction effects in middle and peninsular Florida?

 

Southerners liked the idea of an unsettled region where they could escape the conditions of the political and racial conflict in Middle Florida. Middle Florida was under martial law and violence and disorder remained a serious problem. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268).

 

 

 

When Shofner turns from reconstruction to renewal, list industries and individuals who played a role.

Magazines, newspapers, and railroad companies were sending reporters to view this new Florida Paradise. Hubbard Hart carried passengers and freight up the Saint Johns River via a line of steamers (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268). Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house became a tourist attraction as well as Hart’s opening of the Ocklawaha River to Silver Springs in 1873. Henry S Sanford was an investor and founded the town Sanford. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 270).

 

 

 

The late entry of what industry had a negative impact on Florida’s renewal?

The railroad industry was the missing link in Florida’s renewal and the states Internal Improvement Fund was unable to use its millions of acres of public land as incentive to potential builders because of a lawsuit that prevented it for conveying clear titles (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 270).

 

The political temperature in Florida changed dramatically in the renewal years.  Expound on that and include the one negative piece of legislature that added to already active Black Codes.

White Conservatives and Republicans continued to battle for seats in political position. Political assaults ensued between the parties causing newly settled Floridan’s to vote for split tickets. Presidency disputes caused a deadlock in Washington and lead to the end of the Reconstruction of Florida. Republicans slowly lost pollical status in Florida the Democrats. The Democrats voted for a constitutional convention in 1884 that enacted a Poll Tax by 1889. This law kept most black voters away from the polls.

(Shofner. J, 2018, p. 274).

 

REFERENCES

Shofner, J. H. (2018). Chapter 15 Reconstruction and Renewal, 1865-1877. In The history of Florida (p. 262). essay, University Press of Florida.