Carpetbaggers & Scalawags

Students will be able to define the terms carpetbaggers and scalawags, explain their role in Tennessee during the Reconstruction era, explain how Southerners perceived these people, and map the movement of each from the North to the South.

Weblink address (URL):

Home Page- source

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

In the course of the lesson, students will:

Explain what a carpetbagger and scalawag were in terms of Reconstruction.
Analyze primary sources to better understand why southerners and Tennesseans felt threatened by carpetbaggers.

Essential and guiding questions:

What were the different points of view regarding the social changes following the Civil War including the role of carpetbaggers and scalawags?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Applying

Extension suggestions:

What do you now think about the carpetbaggers? Were they opportunistic businessmen who were trying to take advantage of Southerners after the Civil War? Use examples from the article in the Memphis Daily Journal and the son “The Carpetbaggers” to support your answer. Your answer needs to be 250 words at a minimum.
Primary Source— “Scalawags” The Charleston advocate., September 12, 1868, Image 2 If there is class time left, you could also incorporate this article about scalawags.
Have students research specific people who were considered to be carpetbaggers or scalawags.
Have students research for alternative viewpoints that are supportive of carpetbaggers and /or scalawags. Then have them create their own poster or political cartoon in support for one or both of them.

Helpful Hints

Materials Needed:

Primary Source— Memphis Daily Appeal, April 07, 1877, Image 2
Primary Source— The Carpetbagger (from the TSLA website)
Primary Source - ”Scalawags” The Charleston advocate., September 12, 1868, Image 2
Worksheet to use to examine the article and song
Map of the US
Pencils, scissors, glue