"Patriotism for the Blacks and Pleasure for the Whites": Fourth of July Celebrations in Charleston, South Carolina, 1867-1919

Download or read book "Patriotism for the Blacks and Pleasure for the Whites": Fourth of July Celebrations in Charleston, South Carolina, 1867-1919 written by Katherine Michelle Roberson and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fourth of July celebrations in Charleston, South Carolina changed significantly from Congressional Reconstruction in 1867 until World War I. After Confederate defeat in the Civil War, African Americans gained political power and experienced freedoms as never before. During their time in power, blacks publically celebrated the holiday with parades, speeches, and barbeques in some of the most coveted and significant spaces in Charleston - while white Charlestonians refused to celebrate Independence Day. With the overthrow of Republican rule, ex-Confederates regained political power in 1876 and again began to celebrate the day with leisurely activities. Financial distress and southern reconciliation with the North also influenced white interest in the holiday. Black celebrations did not cease but did decline after this date. Smaller and more private celebrations described those of black citizens toward the end of the nineteenth century. The issue of public space continued to concern white citizens and they began to restrict black commemorations from portions of the city. The evolving presentations of Fourth of July celebrations by both white and black citizens reflected larger trends of racial tensions and reunion.