The Challenge of Interracial Unionism: Alabama Coal Miners, 1878–1921 - Softcover

Letwin, Daniel L.

 
9780807846780: The Challenge of Interracial Unionism: Alabama Coal Miners, 1878–1921
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0807846783 ISBN 13: 9780807846780
Publisher: University North Carolina Pr, 1998

Synopsis

This study explores a tradition of interracial unionism that persisted in the coal fields of Alabama from the dawn of the New South through the turbulent era of World War I. Daniel Letwin focuses on the forces that prompted black and white miners to collaborate in the labor movement even as racial segregation divided them in nearly every other aspect of their lives.

Letwin examines a series of labor campaigns--conducted under the banners of the Greenback-Labor party, the Knights of Labor, and, most extensively, the United Mine Workers--whose interracial character came into growing conflict with the southern racial order. This tension gives rise to the book's central question: to what extent could the unifying potential of class withstand the divisive pressure of race?

Arguing that interracial unionism in the New South was much more complex and ambiguous than is generally recognized, Letwin offers a story of both promise and failure, as a movement crossing the color line alternately transcended and succumbed to the gathering hegemony of Jim Crow.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Daniel Letwin is assistant professor of history at Pennsylvania State University.

From the Back Cover

This study explores a tradition of interracial unionism that persisted in the coal fields of Alabama from the dawn of the New South through the turbulent era of World War I. Daniel Letwin focuses on the forces that prompted black and white miners to collaborate in the labor movement even as racial segregation divided them in nearly every other aspect of their lives. Letwin examines a series of labor campaigns - conducted under the banners of the Greenback-Labor Party, the Knights of Labor, and, most extensively, the United Mine Workers - whose interracial character came into growing conflict with the southern racial order. This tension gives rise to the book's central question: to what extent could the unifying potential of class withstand the divisive pressure of race? Arguing that interracial unionism in the New South was much more complex and ambiguous than is generally recognized, Letwin offers a story of both promise and failure, as a movement crossing the color line alternately transcended and succumbed to the gathering hegemony of Jim Crow.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
University North Carolina Pr
Publication date
1998
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0807846783
ISBN 13 
9780807846780
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
303

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780807823774: The Challenge of Interracial Unionism: Alabama Coal Miners, 1878–1921

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0807823775 ISBN 13:  9780807823774
Publisher: The University of North Carolina..., 1998
Softcover