A Brief History
November 10, 1898 marks the beginning of the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, the only instance of a municipal government being overthrown in United States history!
Digging Deeper
More famous events such as the Whiskey Insurrection (also known as the Whiskey Rebellion) of 1791 tend to receive greater coverage in history textbooks than what occurred in Wilmington in 1898. Nevertheless, as noted above, the Wilmington Insurrection has a unique place in American history, because these rebels actually successfully overthrew their legitimately elected government, whereas just about anything else dubbed an “insurrection” in American history (not counting the American Revolution, of course!) was eventually crushed by the federal government.
Although 1898 was roughly three decades removed from the end of the American Civil War, racial tensions remained high in the United States, especially in the South. In that year, a white mayor and biracial city council were elected in Wilmington, North Carolina. Certain North Carolina Democrats saw this multiracial government as a sign of potential “Negro Domination”. Although today, we may identify the Democratic Party as the party with which African-Americans predominately identify (after all, that is the party of the country’s first black president), it was far from the case in the nineteenth century. As such, white supremacists from the Democratic Party plotted to replace the newly elected government by just about any means they deemed necessary.
To do so, they decided to illegally seize power from the elected government by force, with over 1,500 white men uniting to burn down a Black owned newspaper building and run officials and community leaders out of the city. The attacks soon grew out of control with Black neighborhoods being destroyed and an unknown number of African-Americans, numbering at least six, but perhaps as many as a hundred, dying amidst the violence. Other authorities in North Carolina proved incapable or unwilling to defeat the Wilmington white supremacists. Moreover, despite appeals to then President McKinley for federal assistance, he flat out ignored these requests. As a result, the white supremacists successfully compelled over 2,000 Black Wilmingtonians to permanently depart the city, changing it from majority-Black to majority-White. The White supremacists also forced the White Republican mayor and the rest of the council to resign. For their new mayor, the insurrectionists chose the leader of the White supremacists who had launched the insurrection. That man, Alfred Moore Waddell, formerly a lieutenant colonel for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, remained in office as mayor of Wilmington until 1905.
Question for students (and subscribers): Can you imagine a scenario in which a municipal government in the U.S. might be overthrown today? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more on North Carolina’s racial troubles during this era, we recommend the following book:
Gilmore, Glenda Elizabeth. Gender and Jim Crow: Women and the Politics of White Supremacy in North Carolina, 1896-1920 (Gender and American Culture). The University of North Carolina Press, 1996.
The featured image in this article, a photograph of armed rioters in front of the burned-down “Record” press building during the Wilmington, N.C. race riot, 1898, is in the public domain in the United States. This applies to U.S. works where the copyright has expired, often because its first publication occurred prior to January 1, 1925, and if not then due to lack of notice or renewal. See this page for further explanation. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years or fewer.
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="655 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=655">22 Comments
I have been through North Carolina on a drive to Florida. I have not actually been there to spend time, just to drive through it.
I have been to North Carolina several times, usually when we drive to South Carolina and we stop for the night in Greensboro. I really love it there. The people are so friendly and the food and hospitality beats Ohios!
I have been to North Carolina, but I have not stayed there long enough to do anything really fun there yet.
I have been to the Carolinas several times. Mostly for family on my Dad’s side, but both states have some awesome camping!
As for the article….Gzzzz. I am all for “Power to the people” but this event almost sounds unbelievable. But it definitely happened. I know the Carolinas played a crucial part in the war. First being among the first states to succeed from the Union and the forefront of racial tension in the U.S. (I kind of feel it still is today).
I have been to North Carolina for vacation with my family when I was younger, quite a few times! Now, my family and I, go to South Carolina every year but always make sure to have a pit-stop in North Carolina!
I go to North Carolina about twice a year with my girlfriends famiy to visit their relatives. My cousin recently moved there as well. She actual moved to Wilmington so I am very excited to visit her and check out their museum and history.
I have never officially been to North Carolina, but I have driven through it on my way to Florida.
I have never been to North Carolina.
I haven’t been to North Carolina since I was a kid, but I would love to visit again.
I have never been to North Carolina, but it would be fun to do there someday.
I’ve never been to North Carolina, but I’ve always wanted to go there!
I also have never been to North Carolina, but I’ve heard great things! Besides, you know, the racial crimes of the 19th century…
I have never been to North Carolina, but do planning on going in the summer of 2014. I’ve always heard its a really nice place with great weather.
I have visited North Carolina only one time in my life while on a road trip with my family. I was very young so I do not remember the exact locations we had visited. I do recall visiting a few museums throughout the trip, as well as a historic plantation.
This very interesting! I love North Carolina. I have visited many times and I have considered moving there after graduation.
I have never been to North Carolina but I may be going there for vacation next summer!
The only time I’ve ever been to North Carolina was when I was 12. We only drove through on our way to Florida and I was sitting in between a five-year-old and a screaming infant so I don’t remember much about the trip.
Yes, I have been to North Carolina! It is a very beautiful state, and actually I have a friend that lives in Wilmington.
I have traveled to North Carolina on several occasions. I have been to Ft. Bragg and most recently Charlotte.
I have a sister and an aunt that live in NC, so we try to go at least a few times a year. We’ve been several times.
I have been through North Carolina. My father had to stay at an Air Force Base there for 6 weeks in the 1970’s and my mother drove us there to visit. I believe it was Johnson Air Force Base. My boyfriend in High School was stationed at Fort Bragg. The trip to see him was much more memorable. 🙂
Wow, that’s a shame that Racism won over that town.