In the South following reconstruction, the economic growth was at a rapid pace. Industries poured out lumber, coal, steal, petroleum, and tobacco, just to name a few products. Most importantly was the production of cotton. In Tindall and Shi’s, America, the “expansion of the area’s textile production that began in the 1880’s overtook its older New England competitors by the 1920’s” (841). The rate of the industrial revolution taking place was so great in the New S

outh that it increased the number of labor fivefold and consumption of cotton eightfold. Unfortunately, for African Americans these jobs were limited to whites only. Businesses began to recruit poor, white families from the country whom they would bring in to work for them. The labor of an entire white family was incredibly cheap, so blacks were not wanted. However, African Americans could take part in sharecropping and tenancy, which grew by the late 1800’s due to a prolonged deflation in crop prices over a period of years. In America it states, “By 1890 most southern farms were worked by people who did not own the land” (845). Sharecroppers would offer their labor and in return would receive supplies and a share of the crop. Although, this might seem like a well- planned system, it had its flaws. “The system was generally inefficient, for the tenant lacked incentive to care for the land, and the owner had little chance to supervise the work” (America 845). When cash was scarce credit was supplied, leading only to a “hopeless cycle of perennial debt” (America 847). As a result, many blacks and whites owed large amounts of money. So, even though blacks could take part in sharecropping, it was to a great disadvantage. In fact, during this time period African Americans labored hard in the fields. Ironically, not much had changed since the years prior to Reconstruction. Booker T. Washington is quoted, “we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and glorify common labour” (41). It seems as though slavery had come to an end, but to survive the Negro race continued to labor in the fields while the white race was finding ways to indirectly control how they lived.

The disenfranchising of blacks during the 1890’s was partly political. Because of the Populists, in some places the black vote over powered the white. African Americans then joined their leadership councils. Although the right to vote looked promising for blacks, the “Redeemers” fought back with racial issues and argued that the black vote should be completely eliminated. Because disenfranchising blacks was impossible due to the Fifteenth Amendment, poll taxes and literacy tests accomplished this task indirectly. The near-total disenfranchisement of blacks in Mississippi led to a constitutional convention in 1890. The new plan was as follows: first, a residence requirement. Second, voters were disqualified if convicted of any crimes. Third, all taxes had to be paid by February 1 of election year. Fourth, all voters had to be literate (America, 851). This plan was a huge set back to the African American community and they’re right to vote. In America, statist

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