1.Resentment and bitterness:
Many Southern White felt resentful towards the North for their defeat and the abolition of slavery. They believed that the war was an invasion of their states' rights, and they saw the emancipation of enslaved African Americans as a loss of their property, wealth and social hierarchy.
2.Pride and defiance:
Some southern Whites remained defiant and sought to preserve the cultural values of the antebellum south. They often displayed symbols of the Confederacy and resisted efforts to change the social order. This sentiment was sometimes expressed through the formation of groups line the Ku Klux Klan, which engaged in violence and intimidation against African Americans and those whites that supported Reconstruction.
3.Accommodation:
A portion of Southern Whites accepted the outcome of the war and attempted to rebuild their lives while maintaining many aspects of the pre-war status quo. They were willing to comply with the new laws but resisted substantial political power to African Americans.
4.Change and Reform:
Some southern Whites supported the reconstruction effort and advocated for changes in southern society. They promoted education and opportunities for African Americans and worked towards racial integration. This group represented a minority within the post-war South, however their efforts contributed to the long -term fight for civil rights.
5.Migration:
A notable number of Southern Whites chose to migrate to other states after the war. They were driven by economic difficulties, the loss of their plantations, and the changing social landscape. Many Southerners moved West to areas like Texas and Oklahoma, while others headed to urban centres throughout the country.
6.Economic Adaptation:
With plantation economy in ruins, Southern Whites had to adapt their agriculture practices. Many turned to smaller farms, diversified crops, and shifted labour arrangements. This transition was challenging, as the plantation system had been deeply embedded in the South's economy and society.
It's worth noting that these attitudes were not mutually exclusive, and different individuals within the Southern White community expressed varying combination of these sentiments. The post -Civil War era was characterised by a complex and evolving social, economic, and political landscape, with the attitudes of Southern whites continually shifting over time.