A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Who were scalawags?

1. Northerners who supported the Confederacy

2. Whites from the North who moved South

3. White Southerners who joined the Republican Party

4. Former slaves who became politicians

The correct answer is: White Southerners who joined the Republican Party

Scalawags were primarily white Southerners who aligned themselves with the Republican Party during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. This term was often used pejoratively by Southern Democrats to describe these individuals who supported the political and social changes imposed by the Reconstruction governments, which included efforts to secure rights for newly freed African Americans and rebuild the South's economy. The scalawags believed that joining the Republican Party was essential for ensuring their political influence and participating in the reformation of Southern society. Their motivations varied, ranging from economic interests to genuine beliefs in the necessity of reconstructing the society towards greater equality and integration. By aligning with the Republican Party, they hoped to promote policies that would positively affect their communities and secure a better future for the South. This context highlights the significant tension during Reconstruction, as scalawags often faced hostility from their fellow white Southerners, who resented their collaboration with the government and African Americans. Their existence played a crucial role in the dynamics of the post-war South and contributed to the broader historical narrative of Reconstruction.