Charleston Tour Guide License Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term used to describe Southern whites who supported Republican policies during Reconstruction is "Scalawags." This label was often applied to those who aligned with the Republican Party, which was then seen as the party of freed slaves and Northern abolitionists. Scalawags typically supported measures that aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society, often advocating for civil rights and economic progress.

The term carried a negative connotation among many in the South at the time, as Scalawags were viewed as traitors to Southern heritage or as opportunists looking to benefit from the political changes of the era. Their support for the Reconstruction policies aligned with the broader efforts to transform Southern society following the Civil War.

The other terms refer to different groups or concepts related to the Reconstruction period. "Carpetbaggers" describes Northern newcomers who moved to the South during Reconstruction, often accused of exploiting the region for their gain. "Red Shirts" were a paramilitary group that opposed Reconstruction efforts and sought to intimidate black voters. "Freedmen" refers specifically to former enslaved people who were granted freedom after the Civil War. Each of these groups played distinct roles in the complex dynamics of the Reconstruction era.