Who were the 'carpetbaggers' and the 'scalawags,' and what roles did they play in Reconstruction politics?

• A. Carpetbaggers were Southern whites; scalawags Northern newcomers.
• B. Carpetbaggers were Northern newcomers aiding the South; scalawags were Southern whites supporting Reconstruction.
• C. Carpetbaggers were freedmen; scalawags were Union generals.
• D. Carpetbaggers and scalawags were both Southern Democrats opposing Reconstruction.

Answer: (B)

Carpetbaggers and scalawags were central players in the politics of Reconstruction in the South. Carpetbaggers were Northern newcomers who moved to Southern states after the Civil War, often professionals, merchants, or former Union supporters who came to help rebuild and to participate in new Republican-led governments. They staffed new state administrations, sat in legislatures, and worked to implement reforms such as public schools, modernization, and civil rights for formerly enslaved people.

Scalawags were Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and allied with Republicans. Many were small farmers, merchants, or Unionists who believed Reconstruction could bring stability, modernization, and economic opportunity to the region. They cooperated with carpetbaggers to run governments and push reforms, but their stance drew fierce opposition from many white southerners who resisted Reconstruction.

In short, the best description is that carpetbaggers were Northern newcomers aiding the South, while scalawags were Southern whites supporting Reconstruction.