Have you ever considered “how” the Union reconstructed the South? A renewed examination of the historic events is enlightening.

First, the war against the south was conducted in a manner designed to traumatise the citizenry. Homes were intentionally burned. The homes of Confederate political officials and officers in the military were especially targeted. Besides the homes being burned, the women were often raped, if not forcibly removed from the communities. Any form of wealth, whether in the form of money, produce or livestock were destroyed. Churches were also targeted for destruction.

When the war ended, Confederate soldiers were disenfranchised. They were often not allowed to vote or hold office. The Yankees seized control of the courts and educational system. These actions allowed them to control the political, educational, and judicial systems throughout the South. The disenfranchisement was extended to the States to keep them from having any voice in national policies. Yankees purposely put minorities into office, which totally altered the status quo. This was intentional. There was also the seizure of large properties which were then parceled out to former slaves throughout the the south. The land was not paid for, just seized by the government. There were also high taxes that forced many property owners to sell their property. So if not taken directly, the properties were taken by exerting indirect pressure.

By taking over the educational system, they controlled what the children were taught. The Yankees controlled the spin put on the recent conflict, ridiculing those who fought. Besides changing what children were taught, they were also forced to attend school. Children were not allowed to be held back from school.

To make matters worse, many northern denominations of the churches seized the buildings and lands that had been held by Southern churches. On seizing those churches, they dictated what was preached in those churches. Among the agenda was forcing a new concept of “American” values on the congregations. The new Americanism was the teaching that all the children in America have equal value. The children of Texas were presented as having equal value to the children of New Hampshire. Any favoritism of one’s own State was discouraged.  There was also an effort to remove many of the religious foundations from the educational process.

Since there was little money in the South, it was Northern businesses and banks that dictated how business was conducted in the South. They decided which business were allowed to grow and which were burdened by the local authorities.

There was a centralized state police force in Texas, which answered only to the Governor. The military officials also counted the ballots in elections.

There was also psychological deprivation as well. Occupational soldiers were billeted in the towns and cities. The soldiers often harassed the local population, forcing them to sing pro-Yankee songs. They also cut the buttons of the uniforms of the former soldiers, claiming that they were illegal.

It would behoove Southrons to refresh themselves as to what happened and learn from it. If it happened once, it could occur again.

Free the South!

Free Texas!

J Murrah

Confederate, Culture, Education, mandatory attendance, reconstruction, South, Southern churches

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!