The War had been over for two years before Congress shocked the South with the passage of the first Reconstruction Act in March of 1867. According to an article in the Advertiser-Journal of February 19, 1961 the Reconstruction period did not end until eight years later with the wresting of the political control of the state by the Democratic Party.
The economic aspect for Montgomery meant one thing - a depression. As soon as the War was over, carpetbaggers flooded the city. Taxes in Montgomery quadrupled and businesses of all kinds decreased and real estate shrunk to less than one-third of its former value.
In less than two months after Reconstruction began, the market fell so flat that the local newspapers said it was unnecessary to quote. Many businesses closed and rent went out the wazoo. Food prices soared out of sight and soup houses were opened for the poor.
It was not until November of 1874 that a democratic governor was elected and the Democrats also gained control of the Senate and the House. It was many, many long years before a Republican was elected Governor again, and I think I am correct in saying that the Democrats stayed in power in the Alabama State legislature until this past November when the Republicans once again gained a majority in both houses.
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