A New South Rebellion

The Battle against Convict Labor in the Tennessee Coalfields, 1871-1896

By Karin A. Shapiro | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

In 1891, thousands of Tennessee miners rose up against the use of convict labor by the state’s coal companies, eventually engulfing five mountain communities in a rebellion against government authority. Propelled by the insurgent sensibilities of Populism and Gilded Age unionism, the miners initially sought to abolish the convict lease system through legal challenges and legislative lobbying. When nonviolent tactics failed to achieve reform, the predominantly white miners repeatedly seized control of the stockades and expelled the mostly black convicts from the mining districts. Insurrection hastened the demise of convict leasing in Tennessee, though at the cost of greatly weakening organized labor in the state’s coal regions.
Exhaustively researched and vividly written, A New South Rebellion brings to life the hopes that rural southerners invested in industrialization and the political tensions that could result when their aspirations were not met. Karin Shapiro skillfully analyzes the place of convict labor in southern economic development, the contested meanings of citizenship in late-nineteenth-century America, the weaknesses of Populist-era reform politics, and the fluidity of race relations during the early years of Jim Crow.

Editions of A New South Rebellion

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807824238
Paperback
ISBN 9780807847336
EBook
ISBN 9780807867051
PDF
ISBN 9798890869647

Read an Excerpt

In 1891, thousands of Tennessee miners rose up against the use of convict labor by the state’s coal companies, eventually engulfing five mountain communities in a rebellion against government authority. Propelled by the insurgent sensibilities of Populism and Gilded Age unionism, the miners initially sought to abolish the convict lease system through legal challenges and legislative lobbying. When nonviolent tactics failed to achieve reform, the predominantly white miners repeatedly seized control of the stockades and expelled the mostly black convicts from the mining districts. Insurrection hastened the demise of convict leasing in Tennessee, though at the cost of greatly weakening organized labor in the state’s coal regions.
Exhaustively researched and vividly written, A New South Rebellion brings to life the hopes that rural southerners invested in industrialization and the political tensions that could result when their aspirations were not met. Karin Shapiro skillfully analyzes the place of convict labor in southern economic development, the contested meanings of citizenship in late-nineteenth-century America, the weaknesses of Populist-era reform politics, and the fluidity of race relations during the early years of Jim Crow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A New South Rebellion about?

In 1891, thousands of Tennessee miners rose up against the use of convict labor by the state’s coal companies, eventually engulfing five mountain communities in a rebellion against government authority. Propelled by the insurgent sensibilities of Populism and Gilded Age unionism, the miners initially sought to abolish the convict lease system through legal challenges and legislative lobbying. When nonviolent tactics failed to achieve reform, the predominantly white miners repeatedly seized control of the stockades and expelled the mostly black convicts from the mining districts. Insurrection hastened the demise of convict leasing in Tennessee, though at the cost of greatly weakening organized labor in the state’s coal regions.
Exhaustively researched and vividly written, A New South Rebellion brings to life the hopes that rural southerners invested in industrialization and the political tensions that could result when their aspirations were not met. Karin Shapiro skillfully analyzes the place of convict labor in southern economic development, the contested meanings of citizenship in late-nineteenth-century America, the weaknesses of Populist-era reform politics, and the fluidity of race relations during the early years of Jim Crow.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A New South Rebellion?

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of A New South Rebellion?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807824238

How long is A New South Rebellion and how many pages does it have?

A New South Rebellion has 352 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book A New South Rebellion?

Karin A. Shapiro

Who is the Publisher of the book A New South Rebellion?

The University of North Carolina Press

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

A New South Rebellion is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807824238) and paperback(ISBN 9780807847336) and ebook(ISBN 9780807867051) and pdf(ISBN 9798890869647)

Where can I buy A New South Rebellion online or support local independent bookshops?

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