A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What role did the Redeemers play in the post-Reconstruction South?

1. Advocated for black civil rights

2. Opposed the restoration of Southern governance

3. Promoted white supremacy and local control

4. Supported the Freedmen's Bureau initiatives

The correct answer is: Promoted white supremacy and local control

The Redeemers were a political coalition in the post-Reconstruction South who aimed to restore white Democratic control over state governments after Reconstruction ended. They played a significant role by promoting white supremacy and advocating for local control, which often translated into oppressive measures against African Americans and efforts to dismantle the gains made during Reconstruction. By fostering a narrative of redemption, they sought to reclaim the social order that had existed before the Civil War, which meant marginalizing Black political power and reversing civil rights advancements. The Redeemers implemented policies that enforced segregation and disenfranchised Black voters, using both legal means, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, and intimidation, often supported by violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Understanding the Redeemers' role is crucial in examining the broader context of racial relations and governance in the South during this time period, where their influence led to the establishment of Jim Crow laws that entrenched institutional racism for decades to follow.