What does the term 'Carpetbagger' refer to?

The term 'Carpetbagger' refers to Northern emigrants to the South, particularly during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. These individuals, often seen as opportunists, moved to the South with the intent of participating in the region's political and economic recovery. They are called 'carpetbaggers' because they were perceived to carry all their belongings in a cheap suitcase made of carpet fabric. This term was initially used derogatorily by Southern whites who resented the influence these Northerners were trying to exert in their communities.

Carpetbaggers played a significant role in the Reconstruction governments, often aligning with the newly freed African American population to promote civil rights and economic development. Their arrival signified a shift in power dynamics in the South, which contributed to the contentious atmosphere of the time.

The other choices do not accurately capture the term's meaning. Southern politicians would refer to those native to the South involved in local governance, Confederate soldiers were those who fought for the Confederacy, and southern cuisine pertains to the culinary traditions of the South, which is unrelated to the political context implied by the term 'Carpetbagger'.