Retreat from Reconstruction - The Grant Era and Paths to Southern Redemption

Explore a 50-minute lecture from Yale University's "The Civil War and Reconstruction" course that challenges the myth of "Carpetbag rule" in the post-Civil War South. Examine the accomplishments of Radical state governments, including gains in African-American rights and public education. Analyze the passage of the 15th Amendment, the declining radicalism of the Republican party after 1870, and the rise of white political terrorism across the South. Delve into the complexities of Reconstruction's end, the freedmen's aspirations for socioeconomic and political mobility, and the lasting influences of the Carpetbaggers. Gain insights into this pivotal period of American history through a comprehensive exploration of its political, social, and racial dynamics.