Some Republicans considered getting the ballot a higher priority than getting 40 acres of arable land. Had more people gotten 40 acres and a mule, the next generation would have had the roots of a black middle class. If they had been able to take advantage of the laws they themselves passed, a blackmiddle class would have arisen just as the white one began to arise. But there was no investment made in getting people situated so they could make a living with their skills.