Why were Northerners who moved to the South in search of fortune after the Civil War called carpetbaggers?

Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War in search of fortune were called carpetbaggers because they often carried their belongings in cheap, easily identifiable carpetbags. This term, which originated as a derogatory label, implied that these newcomers were opportunists seeking to exploit the South's economic difficulties during Reconstruction. Many carpetbaggers were involved in politics, education, and business, aiming to rebuild the South while also benefiting from its turmoil. Their presence was met with suspicion and resentment from many Southern residents.