Who were the carpenterbaggers?

Carpetbaggers were individuals, primarily from the Northern United States, who moved to the South after the Civil War during the Reconstruction era. They were often perceived as opportunists seeking to profit from the economic and political instability in the South. Many carpetbaggers took on roles in government, education, and business, while their actions were met with suspicion and resentment from many Southern residents, who viewed them as outsiders exploiting the region's difficulties. The term has since evolved to describe anyone perceived as an opportunist or exploitative in a new environment.