Ben Tillman and the Reconstruction of White Supremacy (Fred W. Morrison Series in Southern Studies) - Softcover

Kantrowitz, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807848395 ISBN 13: 9780807848395

Publisher: University North Carolina Pr, 2000

Synopsis

Through the life of Benjamin Ryan Tillman (1847-1918), South Carolina's self-styled agrarian rebel, this book traces the history of white male supremacy and its discontents from the era of plantation slavery to the age of Jim Crow. As an anti-Reconstruction guerrilla, Democratic activist, South Carolina governor, and U.S. senator, Tillman offered a vision of reform that was proudly white supremacist. In the name of white male militance, productivity, and solidarity, he justified lynching and disfranchised most of his state's black voters. His arguments and accomplishments rested on the premise that only productive and virtuous white men should govern and that federal power could never be trusted. Over the course of his career, Tillman faced down opponents ranging from agrarian radicals to aristocratic conservatives, from woman suffragists to black Republicans. His vision and his voice shaped the understandings of millions and helped create the violent, repressive world of the Jim Crow South. Friend and foe alike--and generations of historians--interpreted Tillman's physical and rhetorical violence in defense of white supremacy as a matter of racial and gender instinct. This book instead reveals that Tillman's white supremacy was a political program and social argument whose legacies continue to shape American life. |Through the life of Benjamin R.Tillman (1847-1918), South Carolina's notorious agrarian rebel, this book traces white male supremacy from plantation slavery to the age of Jim Crow. As an anti-Reconstruction guerrilla, governor, and U.S. senator, he offered a vision of reform that was proudly white supremacist. This book argues that Tillman's white supremacy was a political program and social argument whose legacies continue to shape American life.

About this title

Review

"Mr. Kantrowitz writes well, argues coherently, and has a strong point of view.

"Washington Times""

A thoughtful biography of one of the archracists and pillars of Jim Crow in the post-Reconstruction South.

"New York Times Book Review"

"A rich and insightful dissection of the rise of American racism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Charles B. Dew, "New York Times Book Review""

"Based on broad research in primary sources, including an impressive array of manuscript collections, it has immense strengths.

"Journal of American History""

"In describing Tillman's political maneuvers, Kantrowitz thoughtfully deals with many of the issues that concern historians today.

"Washington Post Book World""

Mr. Kantrowitz writes well, argues coherently, and has a strong point of view.

"Washington Times"

A rich and insightful dissection of the rise of American racism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Charles B. Dew, "New York Times Book Review"

Based on broad research in primary sources, including an impressive array of manuscript collections, it has immense strengths.

"Journal of American History"

In describing Tillman's political maneuvers, Kantrowitz thoughtfully deals with many of the issues that concern historians today.

"Washington Post Book World"

Synopsis

Through the life of Benjamin Ryan Tillman (1847-1918), South Carolina's self-styled agrarian rebel, this book traces the history of white male supremacy and its discontents from the era of plantation slavery to the age of Jim Crow.

About this edition

• Publisher: University North Carolina Pr
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0807848395
• ISBN 13: 9780807848395
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 434