Chapter 15 Worksheet

 

Chapter 15 – Reconstruction & Renewal       Name: Kyra Foures

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. During the chapter, I found out that during this time period, Shofner had written a book called Nor Is It Over Yet.

 

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

  Two things that were in desperate need of "reconstruction" were the government and the economic system (money).

 

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 used the former slaves (freedman) "to stay on the plantation and to continue work with the ability to earn wages." (Gannon, pg. 260).  Newton also had military officials take initiative in the existing political vacuum.

 

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 new structures to which the white and black farmers adhered to was called sharecropping.

 

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

 The two issues were anger and bitterness that Lincoln feared would engulf the nation.

 

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

 This affected the statewide condition because it exacerbated the struggle of reconstruction in Florida. Unfortunately, this dilemma remained an issue until the 1890's.

 

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

  The text means that Lincoln could not enforce or implement his ideas, because he was assassinated and was not able to oversee specific matters.

 

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

 Florida fell into these practices by substituting corporal punishment for fines and imprisonment for blacks convicted of crimes.

 

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1865 so ineffective?

 The Civil Rights Act of 1865 was so ineffective because of the disagreement between President Johnson and Congress. The continuous cycle of vetoing each opposing party accomplished little.

 

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

 The main reason was all the conflict. There were violent confrontations and incidents. County Sherrifs were being confronted with large armed possess. According to the text, it says "General Foster felt compelled to declare marital law in nine counties in the summer of 1866. His action angered Governor Walker and did little to improve the plight of the freedmen." (Gannon, pg. 263).

 

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

 The division was between the rights for blacks at the expense of native whites. There were many disagreements that went on during the reconstruction years. Some of the whites would not participate in elections if involving blacks and Congress would force black suffrage upon them. The Congress agreed to "include the blacks in electorates but they also wanted the native white to participate in the new government." (Gannon, pg. 264-265). 

 

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

 A lot of them either abandoned Middle Florida and moved southward or stayed and had specific courses to follow. For example, they would not participate in elections if they involved blacks.

 

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

  The contrasting difference between reconstruction effects in middle and peninsular Florida is that according to the text, "the reconstruction brought unwelcome changes and political and racial strife to the Middle Florida plantation belt." (Gannon, pgs. 268). Although it did improve the Middle Florida, it helped the peninsular Florida with opening up settlement.

 

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

 Some industries and individuals that played a role in renewal included:

• Railroad transportation
• Citrus industries
• Tourist industries
• Magazines
• Newspapers

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

 The late entry of railroad transportation started off not so good because the state's Internal Improvement Fund was at a loss to use its millions of acres of public lands as an improvement for positive uses. It had to wait until the 1880's before beginning the construction.

 

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.

The political temperature in Florida changed throughout the years and for many reasons. There were various troubles throughout the years that affected the native white Floridians and the blacks. According to the text, it says, "Lingering memories of the war and Confederate defeat, abolition of slavery and enfranchisement of the freedmen, military occupation, and a disorderly and fractious government allegedly controlled by 'carpetbaggers' and 'scalawags' had left a heavy burden on native white Floridians by the mid-1870s." (Gannon, pgs. 271-272). During the renewal years, many people were affected, most directly, but still all were.

 Michael, Gannon, (2013). Reconstruction and Renewal, 1865-1877, The History of Florida, 978-0-8130-6401-7, 162-178.