Why Were Carpet Baggers Important

Here are some interesting facts about carpetbagger for you.

Why were carpet baggers important.

Like the similar term carpetbagger the word has a long history of use as a slur in southern partisan debates. Carpetbagger derogatory term originally used in the u s. They were perceived as exploiting the local populace. In united states history the term scalawag referred to white southerners who supported reconstruction policies and efforts after the conclusion of the american civil war.

Facts about carpetbaggers 1. In the history of the united states carpetbagger was a derogatory term applied by former confederates to any person from the northern united states who came to the southern states after the american civil war. These white republicans are known by the contemptuous appellation of carpet bagger and scalawag. Most carpetbaggers probably combine the desire for personal gain with a commitment to taking part in an effort to substitute the civilization of freedom for that of slavery.

The term is commonly used in historical studies as a neutral descriptor of southern white republicans although some historians have dis. With the support of the black vote some carpetbaggers played an important role in the republican state governments. Although regarded as transients because of the carpetbags in which they carried their possessions hence the name carpetbaggers most intended to settle in the south some in support of the radical republican reconstruction program others to take advantage of speculative and commercial opportunities there. In general cases the carpetbaggers supported the modernizing and democratizing the south.

The elected carpetbaggers in the congress. This is handout 8 4 p. Alexander white a white congressman from alabama describes the role that carpetbaggers and scalawags played in reconstruction politics. It was applied to politicians and financial adventurers whom southerners accused of coming south to use the newly enfranchised freedmen to obtain office or profit.

During the reconstruction era there were 60 carpetbaggers elected in the congress. During the reconstruction period 1865 77 to denote a northerner who moved to the south. Carpetbaggers generally supported measures aimed at democratizing and modernizing the south civil rights legislation aid to economic development the establishment of public school systems. The term broadly included both individuals who sought to promote republican politics and individuals who saw business and political opportunities because of the chaotic state of the local economies following the war.

The opponents of the scalawags claimed they were disloyal to traditional values.