Removal of Black legislators from the Georgia General Assembly during Reconstruction. Who was involved.
The removal of Black legislators from the Georgia General Assembly during Reconstruction involved various groups and individuals. Some of the key actors were:
1. Ku Klux Klan (KKK): The KKK was a white supremacist terrorist organization that targeted African Americans and their allies during Reconstruction. They used violence, intimidation, and threats to suppress Black political power and to force Black legislators out of office.
2. White supremacist paramilitary groups: Apart from the KKK, other white supremacist paramilitary groups such as the Red Shirts and the White League were involved in the removal of Black legislators. These groups employed similar tactics as the KKK to intimidate and undermine Black political leaders.
3. Democratic Party: The Democratic Party in Georgia, like in many other southern states, sought to reclaim political dominance from the Republican Party during Reconstruction. Democrats used voter suppression, fraud, and violence to disenfranchise Black voters and remove Black legislators from office.
4. White conservative politicians: Many white conservatives who opposed the policies of Reconstruction actively collaborated with white supremacist groups to remove and undermine Black legislators. They resented the political power that African Americans had gained during this period.
5. Landowners and former Confederates: Many landowners and former Confederates also played a role in removing Black legislators. They saw the promotion of Civil Rights and equal political representation as a threat to their economic and social interests, and therefore worked towards the expulsion of Black lawmakers.
It is important to note that these actors were not operating in isolation, but rather in a larger context of white backlash against the social and political changes brought about by Reconstruction, including the advancement of African American civil rights.