Report on the Condition of the South

"Report on the Condition of the South" by Carl Schurz is a record from the time after the Civil War, investigating the circumstances in Southern states that attempted to secede. It shows the effects of Reconstruction on white people and formerly enslaved Black people in places like South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The story starts with Schurz's trip to understand the situation in the South after the war. It shows hopeful feelings about bringing these states back into the Union, and many people wanted to follow the government and start over. Schurz talks about his journey through Southern states, where he speaks with a mix of people, including former rebels and Union supporters. However, he sees existing issues, like ongoing issues between different groups and fear among Union supporters because of violence. In general, the beginning prepares for a detailed look at the complicated relationships in the post-war South and the difficulties of Reconstruction.