Description
In his May 7, 1868, letter to Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, Daniel R. Goodloe of North Carolina expressed his belief that on the whole, northerners were just as opposed to political and social equality for African Americans as southerners as evidenced by the number of northern states that voted against enfranchising African Americans after the Civil War. Goodloe also shared his views on the problems that emerged with the enfranchisement of African Americans in North Carolina and the rest of the South during Reconstruction, including African Americans voting for candidates with no political experience, undesirable characters and criminal backgrounds.
Full Transcript of Daniel R. Goodloe's Letter to Hon. Charles Sumner
Transcribed Excerpts from Daniel R. Goodloe's Letter to Hon. Charles Sumner
Source-Dependent Questions
- What can be inferred about political power in some northern states from Daniel R. Goodloe’s letter to Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner? Explain your reasoning.
- Why did Goodloe believe the North was more prejudiced than the South towards African Americans?
- Select one passage that best summarizes the "Northern Sentiment" excerpt of Goodloe's letter. Provide an explanation for your selection.
- Did the right to vote as guaranteed by the Reconstruction Act of 1867 help or hurt African Americans in North Carolina? Provide evidence from Goodloe’s letter to support your decision.
Citation Information
Goodloe, Daniel R., "Letter of Daniel R. Goodloe, to Hon. Charles Sumner, on the Situation of Affairs in North Carolina," pp. 8, 10, 7 May 1868. Courtesy of Library of Congress