The Long Shadow of the American Civil War: 1865 to 1880

Introduction

While it is popularly believed that the American Civil War ended in 1865 with the victory of the Union and Lincoln's re-election, the effects of the conflict lingered long into the 1870s. This period saw an array of political, economic, and social changes, some of which deeply entrenched the conflict's aftermath.

The Aftermath of the War

Lincoln's re-election in 1864 largely hinged on the Union's military successes, notably Sherman's capture of Atlanta and Grant's victories in Virginia. These victories not only reassured voters about the Confederacy's imminent downfall but also helped Lincoln secure a second term. However, the anticipated quick resolution of the conflict did not materialize. If the Confederate forces, led by experienced tacticians like Joe Johnston, had prevailed, or if the Democratic Party had chosen a competent candidate over the divisive McClellan, the political landscape might have shifted drastically. This could have led to the Confederate retention of their territories, ending the war with the collapse of the Union forces, or a peace deal that left the South in a state of semi-independence.

Occupation and Reconstruction

Following the Civil War, the Union imposed military rule over the South, dividing it into five military districts. The political power of the Confederate elite, including large landowners, cotton merchants, and bankers, was systematically dismantled. Republican coalitions, comprising freed slaves, Northern Republicans, and Southern converts to the Republican Party (known as scalawags), took control. This period, known as Reconstruction, aimed to rebuild the South and establish equal rights for African Americans. However, former Confederate soldiers, led by Nathan Bedford Forrest, formed the Ku Klux Klan, disguising themselves as dead Confederate soldiers. Their goal was to intimidate and harm freed slaves, carpetbaggers (Northerners who moved to the South), and scalawags, leading to widespread violence and political instability.

Violence and Political Intimidation

The violence of the KKK and other paramilitary organizations such as the White League and Red Shirts escalated in the early 1870s. These groups would assassinate citizens using violent means, often targeting Republicans and black leaders. The Freedman's Bureau, established to assist former slaves, faced severe opposition and underfunding, with fewer than 900 agents serving nearly four million freedmen. This lack of support and increasing violence severely hampered the Bureau's ability to operate effectively.

Key Incidents and Their Consequences

Peter Crosby, an ex-slave and veteran of the U.S. Colored Troops, won the sheriff position in Vicksburg, Mississippi. However, pressure from white groups forced him to flee in 1874. Governor Albert Ames, a Union general, sent Crosby back with authority to form a posse, but when Crosby and his men returned to Vicksburg, they were met with violent resistance. Grant sent Federal troops to restore order and reinstall Crosby, but he later died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.

The Election of 1876 and its Aftermath

The 1876 election marked a pivotal moment in post-Civil War American history. Samuel Tilden narrowly won the popular vote, but the electoral vote was closely contested. Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina sent two conflicting delegations to the House of Representatives, leading to an electoral deadlock. The compromise reached included the withdrawal of Federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

The Reemergence of Southern Governance and Sharecropping

Without Federal intervention, Southern governments quickly returned to their pre-war leaders, and the political and economic landscape resembled that of 1860. Sharecropping emerged as a solution for labor on Southern plantations. This system was designed to keep laborers on the land and ensure they remained in debt, essentially recreating the conditions of slavery in a new form. Sharecroppers, both black and white, became trapped in cycles of debt and dependency, with little chance of escaping the land without facing severe penalties. This system not only perpetuated the status quo but also led to the return of a quasi-slave-like labor system in the late 1870s.

Conclusion

The period from 1865 to 1880 saw the enduring impact of the American Civil War, marked by political violence, economic hardship, and the reemergence of conditions resembling pre-war slavery under the guise of sharecropping. This long shadow illustrates the complexity and persistence of the conflict's legacy in shaping American society.