Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America

By Francesca Morgan | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

After the Civil War, many Americans did not identify strongly with the concept of a united nation. Francesca Morgan finds the first stirrings of a sense of national patriotism — of “these United States” — in the work of black and white clubwomen in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Morgan demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of women in groups such as the Woman’s Relief Corps, the National Association of Colored Women, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Daughters of the American Revolution sought to produce patriotism on a massive scale in the absence of any national emergency. They created holidays like Confederate Memorial Day, placed American flags in classrooms, funded monuments and historic markers, and preserved old buildings and battlegrounds. Morgan argues that while clubwomen asserted women’s importance in cultivating national identity and participating in public life, white groups and black groups did not have the same nation in mind and circumscribed their efforts within the racial boundaries of their time. Presenting a truly national history of these generally understudied groups, Morgan proves that before the government began to show signs of leadership in patriotic projects in the 1930s, women’s organizations were the first articulators of American nationalism.

Editions of Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807829684
Paperback
ISBN 9780807856307
EBook
ISBN 9780807876930
PDF
ISBN 9798890878779

Read an Excerpt

After the Civil War, many Americans did not identify strongly with the concept of a united nation. Francesca Morgan finds the first stirrings of a sense of national patriotism — of “these United States” — in the work of black and white clubwomen in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Morgan demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of women in groups such as the Woman’s Relief Corps, the National Association of Colored Women, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Daughters of the American Revolution sought to produce patriotism on a massive scale in the absence of any national emergency. They created holidays like Confederate Memorial Day, placed American flags in classrooms, funded monuments and historic markers, and preserved old buildings and battlegrounds. Morgan argues that while clubwomen asserted women’s importance in cultivating national identity and participating in public life, white groups and black groups did not have the same nation in mind and circumscribed their efforts within the racial boundaries of their time. Presenting a truly national history of these generally understudied groups, Morgan proves that before the government began to show signs of leadership in patriotic projects in the 1930s, women’s organizations were the first articulators of American nationalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America about?

After the Civil War, many Americans did not identify strongly with the concept of a united nation. Francesca Morgan finds the first stirrings of a sense of national patriotism — of “these United States” — in the work of black and white clubwomen in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Morgan demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of women in groups such as the Woman’s Relief Corps, the National Association of Colored Women, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Daughters of the American Revolution sought to produce patriotism on a massive scale in the absence of any national emergency. They created holidays like Confederate Memorial Day, placed American flags in classrooms, funded monuments and historic markers, and preserved old buildings and battlegrounds. Morgan argues that while clubwomen asserted women’s importance in cultivating national identity and participating in public life, white groups and black groups did not have the same nation in mind and circumscribed their efforts within the racial boundaries of their time. Presenting a truly national history of these generally understudied groups, Morgan proves that before the government began to show signs of leadership in patriotic projects in the 1930s, women’s organizations were the first articulators of American nationalism.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America?

Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Gender studies, gender groups > Gender studies: women and girls

Where can I read a sample of Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807829684

How long is Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America and how many pages does it have?

Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America has 320 page(s)

Is Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Gender and American Culture

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America?

Francesca Morgan

Who is the Publisher of the book Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807829684) and paperback(ISBN 9780807856307) and ebook(ISBN 9780807876930) and pdf(ISBN 9798890878779)

Where can I buy Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America from below

Where can I buy Women and Patriotism in Jim Crow America?