Lecture 24 - Retreat from Reconstruction: The Grant Era and Paths to "Southern Redemption"

Lecture 24 - Retreat from Reconstruction: The Grant Era and Paths to "Southern Redemption"

Author: Open Yale Courses - David Blight August 25, 2017 Duration: 0:00
HIST 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877
Education
This lecture opens with a discussion of the myriad moments at which historians have declared an "end" to Reconstruction, before shifting to the myth and reality of "Carpetbag rule" in the Reconstruction South. Popularized by Lost Cause apologists and biased historians, this myth suggests that the southern governments of the Reconstruction era were dominated by unscrupulous and criminal Yankees who relied on the ignorant black vote to rob and despoil the innocent South. The reality, of course, diverges widely from this image. Among other accomplishments, the Radical state governments that came into existence after 1868 made important gains in African-American rights and public education. Professor Blight closes the lecture with the passage of the 15th Amendment, the waning radicalism of the Republican party after 1870, and the rise of white political terrorism across the South. Transcript Lecture Page

Drawn from his celebrated Yale University course, historian David Blight guides you through the defining crisis of the American nation in HIST 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877. This isn't a simple recounting of battles and dates; it's a deep exploration of how the country fractured over the issue of slavery, fought a devastating war to determine its future, and then grappled with the immense promise and tragic failures of rebuilding a multiracial democracy. In each lecture, you'll hear Blight's expert analysis of the complex political, social, and economic forces at play, from the territorial expansions of the 1840s through the end of Reconstruction in 1877. The podcast presents the full classroom experience, allowing you to engage with the compelling narratives of individuals, the evolution of constitutional arguments, and the raw human costs of the conflict. As an Open Yale Course, this series makes a premier education accessible to all, inviting you to understand not just what happened, but why the era's legacy continues to shape the United States today. You'll come away with a nuanced perspective on the war's causes, its brutal course, and the enduring consequences of its unresolved aftermath.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 27

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HIST 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877
Podcast Episodes
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