Carpetbaggers and Scalawags

How did the presence of carpetbaggers and scalawags during Reconstruction impact the political, economic, and social transformation of the South? This lesson examines the definition, background and effects of carpetbaggers and scalawags on the South during Reconstruction. Students will examine political cartoons and analyze documents to conclude how carpetbaggers and scalawags lived and how they played a complex role. They will critically think to conclude how carpetbaggers and scalawags helped shape the path and long-term expectations of the Reconstruction era.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - “The Man with the Carpet Bags” by Thomas Nast political cartoon analysis questions
Carpetbaggers reading passage with graphic organizer scaffolding questions
Carpetbagger perspective with scaffolding questions
Scalawags reading passage with graphic organizer scaffolding questions
James Lusk Alcorn/Scalawag perspective with scaffolding questions
Who was Thomas Nast? short reading passage with three scaffolding questions
“The Strong Government 1869-1877” political cartoon with analysis questions
Social, Political, and Economic Influence of Carpetbaggers and Scalawags reading passage
Carpetbaggers and Scalawags Venn diagram
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the involvement of carpetbaggers and scalawags during Reconstruction shape the path and long-term expectations of the Reconstruction era, and what were the consequences for the future of the South?
Answer key for teachers
★ Please Note: I execute this lesson with my 8th grade honors students and my 11th grade gen-ed students. Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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