5.4 Political and social changes in the New South

The New South Era brought significant political and social changes to Alabama. Bourbon Democrats dominated politics, supporting business interests and opposing civil rights. Meanwhile, labor unions and the Populist movement emerged to challenge economic inequality and advocate for workers' rights.

Racial discrimination intensified with Jim Crow laws enforcing segregation and disenfranchisement tactics suppressing African American votes. The convict leasing system exploited black labor, reinforcing oppression. These changes shaped Alabama's social and political landscape during this transformative period.

Political Movements and Parties

Bourbon Democrats and Labor Unions

Top images from around the web for Bourbon Democrats and Labor Unions

• 

  Trades union - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bourbon Democrat - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Labor Movement | HIST 1302: US after 1877 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Trades union - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bourbon Democrat - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Bourbon Democrats and Labor Unions

• 

  Trades union - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bourbon Democrat - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Labor Movement | HIST 1302: US after 1877 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Trades union - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bourbon Democrat - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Bourbon Democrats were a conservative faction of the Democratic Party that dominated Southern politics in the late 19th century
• Supported business interests, low taxes, and limited government intervention in the economy
• Opposed progressive reforms and civil rights for African Americans
• Labor unions emerged to advocate for better working conditions, higher wages, and shorter workdays for industrial workers
• Faced significant opposition from business owners and politicians who viewed them as a threat to economic stability and social order
• Examples of early labor unions include the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Populist Movement and Women's Suffrage

• Populist movement arose in the late 19th century as a response to economic inequality and corporate power
• Advocated for policies such as a graduated income tax, government ownership of railroads and telegraphs, and the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply
• Formed the People's Party (also known as the Populist Party) to challenge the two-party system and represent the interests of farmers and workers
• Women's suffrage movement fought for the right of women to vote in political elections
• Argued that women deserved equal political rights and representation as men
• Suffragists organized rallies, petitions, and lobbying efforts to pressure politicians to support women's voting rights
• Key figures in the movement included Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Racial Discrimination and Oppression

Jim Crow Laws and Segregation

• Jim Crow laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Mandated separate public facilities for whites and blacks, such as schools, restaurants, and transportation (Plessy v. Ferguson decision)
• Reinforced a system of white supremacy and oppression that limited opportunities for African Americans
• Segregation extended beyond public facilities to housing, employment, and social interactions
• African Americans were often relegated to separate and inferior neighborhoods, schools, and jobs
• Segregation was enforced through both legal means and social pressure, including violence and intimidation

Disenfranchisement and Convict Leasing

• Disenfranchisement refers to the systematic effort to prevent African Americans from voting and participating in the political process
• Methods included literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses that effectively excluded many African Americans from voting
• Suppressing the African American vote allowed white politicians to maintain control and prevent challenges to the racial hierarchy
• Convict leasing system emerged as a way to exploit African American labor and maintain control over the black population
• Under this system, African American prisoners were leased out to private companies and plantations to work in brutal and inhumane conditions
• Convict leasing provided a source of cheap labor and reinforced the idea that African Americans were inferior and deserving of punishment
• Examples of industries that used convict labor include mining, logging, and agriculture