The 1898 Wilmington insurrection: A dark chapter in US history and its lasting impact
The 1898 Wilmington insurrection: A dark chapter in US history resurfaces
In a chilling echo of the past, the recent attack on the US Capitol has brought to light the violent events of 1898 in Wilmington, North Carolina. A violent mob, incited by white supremacists and politicians, tore apart the town in a bid to overthrow the elected government, marking the only coup in US history.
Following state elections in 1898, white supremacists descended on Wilmington, the largest city in North Carolina at the time. They targeted black-owned businesses, murdered black residents, and forced the elected local government, a coalition of white and black politicians, to resign en masse. The ringleaders of the insurrection seized power the same day and swiftly enacted laws to strip voting and civil rights from the state’s black population, facing no consequences for their actions.
The city of Wilmington, still grappling with its violent past more than 120 years later, was once a thriving port with a growing black middle class. Despite facing daily discrimination, African Americans were making strides in education, property ownership, and business ventures. The Fusionist political coalition, advocating for equal rights and free education, had gained significant power in the state, leading to a backlash from the Democratic Party.
The Democrats, aligning themselves with white supremacy, launched a campaign to suppress black voters and ensure their victory in the 1898 elections. Using intimidation tactics, violence, and false narratives about black people, they succeeded in seizing power in the state. The following day, a violent mob led by Democratic politician Alfred Moore Waddell descended on Wilmington, burning down the offices of the Wilmington Daily Record and terrorizing the black population.
The aftermath of the insurrection saw the imposition of new segregation laws and the disenfranchisement of black voters, marking a significant setback for African Americans in North Carolina. The events of 1898 were largely erased from history, with instigators of the insurrection immortalized in statues and buildings throughout the state.
Today, Wilmington is facing its past and working towards reconciliation. Local leaders and historians are drawing parallels between the 1898 insurrection and the recent attack on the US Capitol, emphasizing the importance of confronting and overcoming the legacy of white supremacy. Filmmaker Christopher Everett, who documented the events of 1898 in his film “Wilmington on Fire,” is now working on a sequel to explore how the city is coming to terms with its history and striving for unity.
As Wilmington grapples with its past, it stands as a symbol of resilience and hope, showing how a community can work together to overcome the stain of white supremacy and build a better future for all its residents.
