Carpetbaggers

"Carpetbaggers" was a term used in the United States during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. It referred to Northerners who moved to the South seeking economic opportunities or political power, often arriving with cheap suitcases made of carpet fabric—hence the name. They were sometimes seen as opportunists exploiting the region's instability, though many aimed to help rebuild the South or promote reform. The term carries a negative connotation, implying they were outsiders coming in primarily for personal gain rather than genuine concern for the local communities.