Download The Wars of Reconstruction: The Brief, Violent History of America's Most Progressive Era AudioBook Free
A groundbreaking new history, telling the stories of hundreds of African-American activists and officeholders who risked their lives for equality - in the face of murderous assault - in the years after the Civil War. By 1870, just five years after Confederate surrender and 13 years after the Dred Scott decision ruled blacks ineligible for citizenship, Congressional action acquired finished slavery and given the vote to black men. That same 12 months, Hiram Revels and Joseph Hayne Rainey became the first African-American U.S. senator and congressman respectively. In South Carolina, only 20 years after the fatality of arch-secessionist John C. Calhoun, a black man, Jasper J. Wright, required a chair on the state's Supreme Court. Not the most positive abolitionists thought such milestones would occur in their lifetimes. The brief many years of Reconstruction designated the United Expresses' most intensifying moment before the civil rights activity. Past histories of Reconstruction have focused on Washington politics. However in this sweeping, prodigiously researched narrative, Douglas Egerton brings a much bigger, even more remarkable account into view, exploring state and local politics and tracing the battles of some 1,500 African-American officeholders, in both the North and South, who fought entrenched white resistance. Tragically, their activity was attained by ruthless assault - not just riotous mobs, but also targeted assassination. With stark proof, Egerton demonstrates Reconstruction, often cast as a "failure" or a doomed test, was rolled back again by murderous push. The Wars of Reconstruction is a significant and provocative contribution to American history.
