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In United States history, '''carpetbaggers''' were Northerners who moved to the South during [[Reconstruction]] to take up new business, reform or political opportunities. More generally the term refers to the political faction of the [[Republican Party]] in the South controlled by the new arrivals.  They were allied politically with [[Freedmen]] (freed slaves), and [[Scalawags]] (Southern whites) in the [[U.S. Republican Party, history|Republican Party]], which in turn controlled ex-Confederate states for varying periods between 1867 and 1877.  

In United States history, '''carpetbaggers''' were Northerners who moved to the South during [[Reconstruction]] to take up new business, reform or political opportunities. More generally the term refers to the political faction of the [[Republican Party]] in the South controlled by the new arrivals.  They were allied politically with [[Freedmen]] (freed slaves), and [[Scalawags]] (Southern whites) in the [[Republican Party]], which in turn controlled ex-Confederate states for varying periods between 1867 and 1877; Carpetbaggers were in power  on average 3 or 4 years except in South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida, where their rule was especially corrupt and lasted about 10 years. They were never in control of Virginia or Tennessee.

"Carpetbaggers" was coined from the carpet bags used as inexpensive luggage. It was originally a derogatory term, suggesting a penniless exploiter who brings no new resources and probably does not plan to stay.  The term is now standard and is used without derogatory intent by historians and reference works.   

"Carpetbaggers" was coined from the carpet bags used as inexpensive luggage. It was originally a derogatory term, suggesting a penniless exploiter who brings no new resources and probably does not plan to stay.  The term is now standard and is used without derogatory intent by historians and reference works.