U.S. History/19th century

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Question
Why were the plantation owners in particularly bad financial shape after the Civil War?

Answer
By the terms "plantation owners" I will assume you mean those few large land owners who owned the steriotypical plantations like in the movies. In reality this was not the norm. The norm was the small farmer/share cropper.
These plantation owners had financial problems after the war for several reasons:
1. They lost their slaves.
2. Their land and property were destroyed by raiders/pillagers.
3. Many spent their fortune to help the Confederacy in outfitting troops.
4. Taxes were assessed to the properties by the Radical Republicans as a means to get reparations for the war. Many lost their properties for these taxes.

U.S. History

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Daniel Hogan

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My best subjects are U.S.History, specifically 19th century history. Also, history of the old west, The Civil War, and California. I`m an elementary school teacher specializing in Social Studies. I'm also a re-enactor in the eras of the Mexican-American War and The Civil War. Cannot answer q`s about the 20th century The 19th century were the 1800's, not the 1900's. Also, I am not here to do your homework. I will only answer specific questions after you have done some research yourself.

Experience

Elementary teacher, 19th century reenactor: Mexican-American and Civil Wars, over 15 years experience, Member of a Wild West group. Extensive research done on stagecoaching and early mail routs. Possess an original Butterfield & Overland stagecoach. Have been in 19th century theme documentaries and movies, consultant to three historical novels, and noted local historian.

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