MS STUDIES: CHAPTER 7

The dawn of the 20th Century

SEGREGATION:

The adoption of the 1890 constitution, the white ruling class used its power to protect it’s own interest. The state began creating new laws to separated the races-

Violations of this rigid system often sparked violent punishment or LYNCHING. Between 1889-1945 Mississippians lynched 476 people-24 of these people were white. 14 were black females and the majority were black males.

SEGREGATION

POLICE SIGN

SEGREGATED SCHOOL

MISSISSIPPI LYNCHING

EDUCATION

A weak economy and racism caused MS to neglected the education of it’s children.

There was no public education system in the state prior to Reconstruction

Teachers were not educated. White teachers were paid $130 a year. Black Teachers were paid $90 a year. 75% of all teachers studied in the rural schools were they taught.

Educational opportunities varied by counties. A portion of the school funding came from paying

the $2 poll tax. Poll tax was used to keep poor whites and blacks from voting.

Agriculture

After Civil War credit was tight. Farmers did not have $ to pay workers wages. Poor Farmers did not have $ to buy land As a result Poor White Farmers and Freedmen

turned to Sharecropping. A sharecropper did NOT own the land, the

house he/she lived in, or the tools they used. They worked the land and paid rent in the

form of a portion of the yearly crop. In 1890 60% of all farm families were

sharecroppers

SHARECROPPER

AGRICULTURE PROBLEMS 1907

BOLL WEEVIL: Beetle that attacks cotton before it’s fibers open.

Devastated the crops for several years Farmers in the SW portion of the state

started farming tung trees, dairy coms and tomatoes.

The Boll Weevil is still a pest today.

Chinese Labor

LUMBER INDUSTRY

1880-1930 White pine forest of Mississippi were clear cut

The area known as the Piney Woods Cities such as Hattiesburg, Laurel and

Moss Point developed because of the Timber Industry.

The Populist Revolt

After CW Federal Gov’t was controlled by Republicans. They favored business over farmers. Passed higher taxes on manufactured goods.

Farmers suffered because nation was on gold standard instead of Silver. Silver was more plentiful.

Money was scarce – cost of borrowing was high.

Populist Cont.

Farmers needed cheap $ to buy equipment and supplies. Wanted $ backed by silver

Issue caused nationwide Political Revolt Mississippi it was called MS Farmers

Alliance. Was organized to help small farmers challenged the most powerful insiders. (James George)

1891: MS Farmers Alliance endorsed Ethelbert Barksdale Editor of Jackson Newspaper/George was elected

Populist Cont.

1891 Populist Party was formed to help small farmers

Demanded Tariff reform Graduated income tax Regulation of Railroad The use of silver $ Election of Senators instead of appointment

The election of 1891 The Democrats played the race card and won.

Populist Democrats take Control

1903 James Vardaman was elected Governor. He represented the poor whites of the Hills and Piney Woods. His racism, showmanship and populism won their votes.

The Progressive Movement

Progressives believed that Government was best equipped to correct the ills of society.

1911 election Vardaman elected Senator Bilbo LT. Governor.

1915 Bilbo elected Governor: Man of the People: Created:

State Tax Commission Developed pardons board Tuberculosis hospital Charity hospital Training school for delinquents Passed a Compulsory school attendance law Anti-lobby law Education received highest appropriation in history