Who were the carpetbaggers during the reconstruction?

Answer 1

The people who came from the north after the Civil War to help the south regroup politically were called carpetbaggers. This referred to the bags they brought with them when they traveled from the north. In the early days, native southerners were not able to hold political positions. Over time, these northerners were seen as opportunists who came to make their fortunes at the expense of others. The term carpetbagger became a negative term for that reason.

Answer 2

Northerners who moved South to exploit a low-wage economy. (It was as easy as packing a few things in a carpet-bag and getting on the train.)

This was quite legal, but carpetbaggers were viewed as unpleasant and exploitative people, and the term became perjorative.