How Long Did It Take Southern Views on Slavery to Change After the Civil War?
The end of the Civil War in 1865 marked a significant turning point in American history. However, the journey towards the moral acceptance of slavery ending was a long and arduous one for the Southern states. This article explores the timeline and depth of this shift in Southern views on slavery, focusing on the years from 1865 to the present day.
Union Occupation and Early Changes
The Union had to occupy the South with federal troops after the war to enforce emancipation and the right to vote for former slaves. This era, known as Reconstruction, was a critical period in the transition from slavery to freedom. After the Civil War ended in 1865, 11 years later, in 1876, the Presidential election ended in controversy. Democrat Samuel Tilden had enough electoral college votes to declare victory, but the US Congress did not accept all the state certification of votes.
An 1877 compromise resolution, known as the Compromise of 1877, resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. This move marked the end of Reconstruction and set the stage for a new era in Southern history.
The Jim Crow Era
The Southern states then exploited a loophole in the 13th Amendment to reinstate slavery through convict leasing. This period, known as the Jim Crow Era, lasted for most of the 20th century. During this time, black people were arrested, convicted, and then leased to farms and other enterprises to work as involuntary slaves. This practice was deeply intertwined with racial intimidation, incarceration, and murder.
The Civil Rights Era of the 1960s and 1970s brought significant changes. However, many Southern Democrats began to shift allegiance to the Republican Party, largely due to the Democrats' continued support of civil rights legislation. By the late 20th century, the Republican Party had shifted away from its former anti-slavery stance.
Modern Perspectives and Systematic Oppression
Despite the end of overt slavery and Jim Crow laws, the systematic oppression and use of forced labor continue. The US has the highest per capita population of incarcerated people in the world, with disproportionate numbers of black people affected. Both the Republican and Democratic parties continue to engage in practices that suppress black people’s voting rights and maintain coercive and oppressive measures against black communities.
The systemic use of slavery has been "sanitized" and obscured intentionally to prevent a majority from denouncing it or fully understanding its ongoing impacts. The legacy of slavery and its various forms of disruption continue to shape American society to this day.
Conclusion
The journey towards the moral acceptance of abolishing slavery was protracted and complex. While the Southern states initially never fully embraced the idea of slavery being immoral, the post-Civil War periods brought necessary changes, albeit reluctantly. From the Jim Crow Era to modern practices of oppression and forced labor, the fight against slavery's enduring legacy continues.