The first negative effect of Reconstruction starts with the Wilmington Massacre. This is said to be one of the darkest events of reconstruction. During this, the government was legally elected to overthrow because of the biracial government at the time. In the end there were between thirty to six-hundred black citizens dead, but the exact number is still unknown. This massacre consisted of mobs with guns that ran through black neighborhoods and businesses. The aftermath of this event holds long effects such as reversed progress, voter suppression, more and new laws, and stronger white supremacy.
Next, sundown towns excluded non-white people remaining in town after sunsets. These came into action after reconstruction era ended, meaning things went back to how they were right after Reconstruction ended, showing how its lasting effects were not very powerful. These towns involved having signs at the city limits and loud alarms that would sound at sundown signaling the African Americans were no longer allowed in town. These were so powerful that some were kept in action with an unspoken rule. Although these were bad, there were some exceptions such as letting some black families stay in the towns, but under the condition that they live with a white family. These towns were not limited to African Americans, as these sundown town rules went for other races such as Chinese and Jews, and these towns only exited in Southern States.
Lynching was created to maintain white supremacy and was the public killing of an individual. There were over five thousand people killed through lynching, and just like the sundown towns, this was not limited to African Americans, Mexican, Chinese, and whites who are opposed to lynching or protected white could also be subject to lynching. These lynchings were such an immense action being taken that the newspapers were advertising them. One of the most prominent lynchings was the lynching of Emmet Till, which raised awareness not just to African Americans, but also white people as well.
The Birth of a Nation was a film during the time of Reconstruction that did not help ease any of the tension as it was said to be very controversial because of the ideas it depicted such as how they depicted African Americans, the Ku Klux Klan, Abraham Lincoln's death, and the dramatization of all of these ideas. African Americans were depicted as monsters and the Ku Klux Klan were considered heroes. These beliefs were so contentious that the NAACP even tried to get the movie banned. As bad as it was, the movie displayed never before seen camera angles and something big and eye catching.
This film caused the assembling of the second Klan. This Klans concerns were immigration and cultural change. To express their concerns they held rallies and political endorsements.
Due to all of these negative uprisings due to Reconstruction, black universities and colleges bean struggling. This introduced the first positive that came from reconstruction, the United Negro College Fund. Initially, this foundation was supported by big names such as Roosevelt and Rockefeller Jr. This foundation was made to help finally disadvantaged black families send their kids to college.
Next, came the Motorist Green Book, some positive side effects of Reconstruction were that black travelers were told through the book where they could eat and sleep and did not have their own say in where they do those basic activities. Hotels, motels, and private homes did not discriminate against these black Americans. Without this book, African Americans would have significantly less freedom and this book, a simple object, welcomed growth and opportunity.
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Executive Order 9981 opened the realization of the importance black soldiers brought to war. This was a turning point of the Korean War when the United Staes had that realization. At first African Americans were assigned to segregated units and many were forced into jobs such as truck drivers, and cooks, but not long after, they proved their talents by persistent campaigning. The first African American polios set an example of excellence because these soldiers were some of the best pilots on the force. All of their successes lead to black women joining the war. They got jobs of perks, nurses, and operators. At home, women had to take over the jobs of the absent men in war and got jobs working on shipyards and factories making weapons and planes that were essential to their war. Not only did this set the groundwork for the post Civil Rights movement, but it welcomed inclusivity and unity of Black Americans.
The success of the war due to the assistance of African Americans welcomed the Double V Campaign, holding the idea that they did not just beat racism overseas, but racism at home. This campaign due to the help of African Americans helped allies win and laid groundwork fore change sin society.
Thurgood Marshall worked with the NAACP to fix the segregation in schools problem by suing Maryland for rejecting a student due to their race in the Pearson case. The case was won with a victory. Some more similar cases are Brown v Board, Morgan v Virginia, and Shelly v Kramer.
Last Porgy and Bess was a broadway show that crushed the standards of the time that African Americans can not showcase special talents, as this was the first African American led opera. It showcased African Americans that had talents for singing. These African Americans broke the standards because the producers did not even want African Americans performing, but instead white people wearing black face. Even at times of segregation, these African Americans got up on stage and courageously put on a show that would be remembered. The African Americans were humanized in a way never done before because of this and it was the first time there was no segregation in theaters.
America as it has developed since this time of Reconstruction would not be this way without the Reconstruction period. The good and the bad side effects of Reconstruction leave lasting effects that are still seen to this day. The bad could not have happened without the good and the good could not have happened without any bad.
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