Discussion Questions
"Forever Free," chapters 6, 7
1) What happened to Abram Colby and what did he do to incur the wrath of the Klan? Why was the reaction against Reconstruction so extreme? Explain (pp159-160).
2) Was Reconstruction really an era of "Negro rule" or was this merely a myth? Who retained the most power? Where were most black delegates from? Did African Americans represent the full proportion of the electorate they were entitled to by race? Why did people feel as if they were living through a revolution? (pp160-161).
3) What three issues dominated southern politics during Reconstruction? What were the concerns of black parents in terms of education and why did these institutions become racially segregated? Why did John M. Brown feel that education amounted to nothing? What could education and money not obtain and why? What was the Republican stance on "social equality?" and why was "full and equal rights" difficult to enforce?(pp 162-163).
4) How did the Reconstruction governments choose to help the poor? Did their investments work in helping those in need? Who benefitted from the railroad program and why? How did Republican hopes for change through investing in economic development and equal opportunity during Reconstruction echo Jeb Bush's message of "hope and aspirations, not free stuff" today? What does it take for the poor to truly succeed? (pp165-167).
5) Who was Tunis G. Campbell and what did he do for African Americans in McIntosh County, Georgia? (p169).
6) What was revealed about the Klan in the 1870 authorized investigation from the Senate and House of Representatives? Who were the Klan's targets? Who were its members and what did they wear while committing illegal acts? Why were Southern whites willing to forgive the Klan? What did the KKK Act do and what did Democrats accuse the government of doing? (pp 171-176).
7) Why were Blacks anxious to leave the South? Where did they want to go and why? What marked the effective end of Reconstruction? Who received the blame for Reconstruction's failure? (pp189-191).