Question

What was a "carpetbagger"?

Answer 1

A "carpetbagger" was a term used in the United States during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) to describe a Northern politician or opportunist who moved to the South after the Civil War. The term originally referred to the type of suitcase made from carpet fabric—suggesting that these newcomers were arriving with little more than a bag, often perceived as trying to exploit the South's tumultuous post-war situation for personal gain, including political power or economic opportunity.

Carpetbaggers were often associated with the Republican Party and were seen by many Southerners as outsiders with agendas that included promoting Reconstruction and civil rights for freed slaves. Their arrival was met with suspicion and hostility from local populations who felt threatened by the changes introduced by Reconstruction policies. The term has since evolved to describe anyone perceived as an opportunist who seeks to gain advantage in a situation that is not their own.