RECONSTRUCTION: A Statistical Look at Southern Recovery 1860 - 1880
The American Civil War, 1860-1865, left the United States a changed nation. The war succeeded in restoring the Union, but questions remained as to what kind of union it would be. These questions would begin to be answered in the aftermath of the war — the period known as Reconstruction – 1865-1877.
In the interactive map below, you will see a series of topics accompanied by statistical maps, period images and quotes. The maps are based on available US Census records. As you make you way through these maps, images and quotes, you will be able to form a better understanding of economic and social conditions in the South during the aftermath of the war and as they changed through ReconstructIon. In understanding these conditions more thoroughly, try also to identify potential problems and opportunities brought about by the process of Reconstruction.
Topic 1: Gain of Total Population 1860-1870
In the nineteenth century, as now, the population for all states—north as well as south—was on the rise. Then, as now, the population grew from natural increase and because of immigration. Generally speaking, population growth indicates a healthy nation and society. A slowing or a turn-around in the rate of population growth may indicate significant problems for the health of a nation or society. Through this map, we examine the rate of population growth for the southern states during and in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Topic 2: Blacks as a Percent of Total Population 1870
To fully understand the difficulties inherent in Reconstruction is it important to have a grasp of the degree to which social change would impact attitudes and policies. No social change in America has ever been as great as or had the impact of the transformation in the American South of African-American slaves into free persons. Southern states with a large newly liberated black population would almost certainly have a more difficult time in coming to terms with the new order of southern society. This map will allow you to discover the percentage of blacks in the populations of southern states.
Topic 3: Loss in Cash Farm Values From 1860-1870
In 1860, the land in the South was among the most valuable farm land anywhere on earth. By the end of the war, there was a dramatic change. The Civil War took a toll on southern farms in general, and on large plantations in particular. Statistics on cash farm values indicate how much money—the cash value—a farm was worth had been sold for cash. This map indicates the change in the value of farm land between the years of 1860 and 1870.
Topic 4: Growth in Capital Investment in Manufacturing 1860-1870
The North had always outdone the South when it came to manufacturing. The South’s agrarian conomy—as well as its plentiful supply of slaves and a society the readily supported slavery—did not lend itself to the creation of new capital ventures required in a manufacturing economy. During the war, of course, the South hoped and expected to be a free and independent country and they needed to find ways to produce or otherwise acquire the manufactured goods that they had previously imported from the North. Even so, capital investment in the South did not come close to the levels of capital investment in the North. The following map illustrates the growth of Southern capital investment.
Topic 5: Change in Railroad Track Mileage 1860-1865
In the decades prior to the onset of the Civil War, it would have been difficult to overstate the importance of the growth of railroads. It was a revolution in transportation. Trips that used to take weeks now took only days. And it is important to remember that rail transportation also reduced the cost of overland travel and shipping rates. Railroads were of central importance to the fighting of the Civil War; moving men and supplies quickly to where they were most needed. The following map demonstrates the growl in the number of railroad track miles that almost all southern states experienced during the years of 1860-70. It should also be kept in mind that the growth shown on these maps takes into account the destruction of railroads by Union armies.
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Questions for Consideration
Topic 1: Gain of Total Population 1860-1870
Although population continued to grow in the North as well as in the South during the Civil War, the population growth in the North was at a rate significantly higher than that of the South. Why do you think the South lagged behind the North in population growth rates during this time?
Why do you think population growth in Texas and Florida was relatively high? What might have driven the population growth in these states?
Topic 2: Blacks as a Percent of Total Population 1870
Remember that the higher the percentage of black population, higher the number of freed slaves that need to be integrated into southern society. How could the ratio of black to white make the task of reconstructing the South easier or harder?
Arkansas’ black population is less than 30% of the total population. Louisiana’s black population is over 50% of the total population. In what ways would Reconstruction look different in these two states?
Topic 3: Loss in Cash Farm Values From 1860-1870
Farm values were decreasing throughout the United States during this time due to the effect of industrialization. The war would also play a part in decreasing farm values. As you examine these maps, consider what these statistics meant for an economy based primarily on the production of agricultural goods. Why did southern farm values depreciate so much?
Farms in North Carolina lost 40-50% of their cash value, creating a severe economic depression within the state. How could this have affected the outcome of Reconstruction?
Topic 4: Growth in Capital Investment in Manufacturing 1860-1870
Although Texas and Louisiana show dramatic growth manufacturing investment, it is important to keep in mind that if a state was starting out with little or no manufacturing, it would not take much to show a 100% rate of growth. The fact that southern gates in 1860, especially when compared to northern states, had little capital invested in manufacturing, must be kept in mind while evaluating these statistics.
How could low rates of investment in Alabama have affected reconstruction efforts within the states?
