English
Abstract
This paper is on reconstruction of south and changes in west after the Civil War. This war led to construction of ‘New South’ and many cultural changes in West. We will cover all these points in brief and discuss some important happenings of this period in Unites States history.
Q. The post-Civil War South has been called the “New South.” In what ways did it succeed in reinventing itself? In what ways did it fail?
Reconstruction took place between 1865-77 which coincided with conclusion of Civil war and withdrawal of Union Army from Southern states. Main goals of Reconstruction were integration of slaves which were freed into society, readmission of Southern states which were earlier seceded from Union and recreation of society in South. After war ended, reconstruction process started with challenge of determining status of freedmen from war. Reconstruction faced limited success while North occupation of Southern states. However, purpose of Reconstruction was not achieved and the Reconstruction process ended up being incompetent in integration of postwar freedmen into society because of strained and unstable economy, desire of redesigning social structure of south and political disadvantages.
Reinvention and Success
Southern states invented themselves by negotiation of new labour agreements and rebuilding farms along with formerly slaves. This failed as many landowners in south were unwilling on their part due to their greed and pride in paying respectable wages. Railway system of south ended being quite successful and stayed the standard to follow for future. Urban life arrived in south due to the railway system which led to growth of cities and iron industry. Iron industry became the pride of south and competed against industries of north.
Reinvention and Failure
In southern iron industries black southern were rarely allowed to work in factory. Even in rail yards poor whites were preferred over blacks and this led to improvement in only their communities over black and white communities of south. This led to segregation in communities of south and this hate lead to south failing to catch up with north. Had southern people agreed to bending their rules after war and bended to provide equality to former slaves things might have been different for United States in coming future. United States and its public would have avoided many future tragedies by providing equality to southern blacks.
Reconstruction of south did not succeed as nobody aimed to sort out issues between all parties. South wanted to join the union but only on their own terms and moderates wanted south back on their own terms. The consequences were faced by President through impeachment trial.
Q. How did the culture of the Plains Indians, specifically the Lakota Sioux, change in the late 19th century?
Earlier Americans travelled to west in lesser numbers until 1840s discovery of gold in the region. After that many Americans started passing through plains in greater numbers to seek fortune and gold which presented problems for Sioux. This led to decimation of water and land ecosystems which drove bison herds away and migration patterns were messed up which introduced many new diseases. Sioux population and culture started to decrease and wander from their homelands of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin and started developing strong presence in states of Nebraska, Montana, Iowa, Canada and Illinois.
Americans killed of buffalos of Natives and tried to “Americanize” the natives of west. This lead many Native Indians dying and moved to reservations where they were treated harshly by whites and police system and their children were sent to school to learn how to be American.
Lakota was one of smallest of Sioux tribes which eventually became largest with their movement to west of Missouri river resulting from expansion of settlers. Lakota Indians faced the wrath of American development of 1800s with many people pushing to settle and work in west. Lakota also suffered negative American attitude overtime as many American grew unpleasant and hateful feelings from Lakota tribe. Interaction between Lakota culture and settlers caused the culture of Lakota tribe to change in the 19th century due to United States government shrinking spiritual lands and backing treaties.
References
Schultz, K. M. (2012). HIST2, Volume 2 (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Lakota/Nakota/Dakota. (1995). Retrieved from. http://www.hanksville.org/daniel/lakota/Lakota.html
