During the Reconstruction era in the United States (1865-1877), the term "scalawags" was used by former Confederates to refer to Southern white individuals who supported or cooperated with the Republican Party and its policies. These individuals were often seen as traitors or opportunists by those who were still loyal to the Confederacy.
The scalawags were mainly composed of Southern whites who either did not support secession during the Civil War or who later changed their allegiance to the Union after the war. They were often considered by their opponents as disloyal to Southern traditions and culture. Some scalawags held political positions in the Southern state governments during Reconstruction, supporting policies that aimed to promote civil rights for freed slaves and reforms in the South. The term was used pejoratively to denounce their actions and alliances with the Republican Party, which was considered by many former Confederates to be an outsider party during that time.