During the Civil War Reconstruction Era, two new political groups began to form. The Radical Republican Party gained some of its largest members, two groups of people from opposite parts of the country (Hodges 1). The upholsterers and scalawags joined forces to rebuild the South, but they sparked controversy and criticism because of their radical worldview (Hodges 1). The goals of the mockingbirds and scalawags sparked controversy at the time, but the group can be attributed to one of the first attempts at civil rights in the South, among other great achievements (Coleman "Impact on Reconstruction" 1). The Radical Republican Party encompassed both the carpetbaggers and the scalawags (Hodges 1). The Carpetbaggers were new members of the Republican Party who moved from the North to the South to make money from Southern poverty and, in turn, help start Reconstruction in the South (Hodges 1; Muhammad 1 ). The label “Carpetbagger” could encompass any educated member of the middle class (“Carpetbaggers and Scalawags” 2). During the Reconstruction Era, large numbers of people traveled from the north to the south (Muhammad 1). As there were a very large number of people traveling at that time, a cheap way of carrying luggage was in great demand (Muhammad 1). “Carpet bags” were thus made, made from old carpets (Muhammad 1). This bag contained the owner's only possessions, particularly those of the rugs that were heading south (Muhammad 1). On the other hand, scalawags were southerners who disliked secession or who had fought for the Union Army (Hodges 1). The label "scalawag" encompassed wealthy Southern landowners, displaced packers, black freedmen, former Whigs, poor S...... middle of paper...... one of history and of Arkansas culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26, 2011. February 5, 2014. Harris, Rodney. “Métrins [Political faction]”. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26, 2011. February 5, 2014. Hodges, Mary Frances. “Carpetbaggers and Scalawags.” The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26, 2011. January 30, 2014. Muhammad, Brian. “Carpetbaggers in Reconstruction: Definition, Lesson and Quiz.” Education portal. January 30, 2014. Richards, Adam. “The Scalawags in the Civil War: definition, lesson and quiz.” Educational portal. January 30, 2014. Sansing, David G. “Adelbert Ames: Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth Governor of Mississippi: 1868-1870; 1874-1876. Mississippi History NOW. Mississippi Historical Society. December 2003. February 5 2014.