Questions About Reconstruction
From: “Andrew Stemler” [A.Stemler@hotmail.com]
Date: Jul 1, 2020
Subject: Questions about Reconstruction
To: “hk.edgerton@gmail.com” [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]Hi Mr. Edgerton,
I am a 26 year old Southern California inhabitant and due to ongoing events in our country, I have some questions about the Reconstruction that took place after the Succession War. I have been reading a lot and have listened to a few of your interviews/speeches regarding the history of the confederacy lately. I am pleased to hear the history of the south from you, so thank you. I never thought much of the Confederate flag as being a symbol for hate but understood that others believed it to be and therefore I went along with it (but personally remained neutral about it). But now I know the truth. Here are my questions:
Is the Federal Government responsible for causing tension between whites and blacks during the Reconstruction period? If so, in what ways did they do to achieve that?
And in 1877, from what I understand, was the year when Jim Crow laws were integrated into the south, was it because of the tension between whites and blacks? That since, and if, the Federal Government caused tension between blacks and whites, that southerners thought it was necessary to institute them to keep people safe?
Also, I understand Nathan Bedford Forest started the Ku Klux Klan in order to help blacks and have a period of healing. And from what I also gathered, after about 4 years, the Ku Klux Klan took a radical turn when they became violent. It seems that the explanation for them to turn violent was because of the tension between blacks and whites. Did people in the Ku Klux Klan feel betrayed, did they become radicalized after what the Federal Government had caused, or did the Federal Government infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in one way or another?
I appreciate all answers and your time. And if it’s better to contact via phone then my cell phone number is 562-440-3196. If I am unable to answer the phone, then please leave a message. I will call back.
Thank you,
Andrew Stemler
