Conclusion

The lack of variety and confirmed truths within North Carolina’s periodicals often misled the citizens of the state, forcing them to make judgments from their prior knowledge of southern political and cultural tendencies.  Despite North Carolina’s firm approval of the Union following the Civil War, the federal government’s abuse of power forced citizens to reconsider their positions on race and politics.  In times of economic disparity and political idleness, southerners remained loyal to the Union, desperately yearning for the once-enjoyed stability before the war.  As African Americans quickly gained citizenship and ascended in southern politics and culture, tensions surfaced on grounds of race and partisanship.  Perceived as a method to gain political support through voting, the Union’s unwavering support of African Americans forced southern democrats to isolate themselves from the plans of Reconstruction in North Carolina.  Even after North Carolina had been restored to the Union, former Confederates endured a period of devaluation in spite of African Americans’ political and economic recognition.  Although some government officials publicly approved of the new heights reached by African Americans within southern society, more radical politicians believed it necessary to end the Union’s abusive control over the country.  As the partisanship issue gained the primary focus of both the North and South, less federal control was exhibited following the ratification of the third Reconstruction Amendment.  Foolishly believing that federal legislation would effectively supervise most parts of the country, the Union’s inability to recognize some North Carolinians’ disagreement with racial and economic equality resulted in the mistreatment of blacks in southern society and politics alike, which ultimately outweighed the goals of Reconstruction.