What was Henry Grady's vision for a "New South"?

Henry Grady's vision for a "New South" emphasized the importance of sectional reconciliation and political stability following the Civil War. Grady, a prominent journalist and orator from Georgia, advocated for a South that would move away from its agrarian past and embrace industrialization and economic diversification. His idea was rooted in the belief that fostering economic ties with the North and promoting a more unified national identity could help heal the divisions created by the war.

Grady's approach sought to integrate the South into the broader American economy by advocating for investment in manufacturing and infrastructure, which would create jobs and promote prosperity. He called for a new attitude among Southerners, encouraging them to work alongside their Northern counterparts to build a more modern and economically stable region.

This vision was in stark contrast to the other options. Economic isolation would have limited the South's growth and recovery, while ignoring postwar racial settlements would undermine the social progress necessary for a truly reconciled society. Reverting to traditional methods would mean clinging to the old agrarian models and the race relations of the pre-war era, which Grady believed were detrimental to the South's future. Thus, Grady's pursuit of sectional reconciliation and political stability was aimed at fostering a cooperative and prosperous South.