About the book
Exploring the history of Civil War commemorations from both sides of the color line, William Blair places the development of memorial holidays, Emancipation Day celebrations, and other remembrances in the context of Reconstruction politics and race relations in the South. His grassroots examination of these civic rituals demonstrates that the politics of commemoration remained far more contentious than has been previously acknowledged.
Commemorations by ex-Confederates were intended at first to maintain a separate identity from the U.S. government, Blair argues, not as a vehicle for promoting sectional healing. The burial grounds of fallen heroes, known as Cities of the Dead, often became contested ground, especially for Confederate women who were opposed to Reconstruction. And until the turn of the century, African Americans used freedom celebrations to lobby for greater political power and tried to create a national holiday to recognize emancipation.
Blair’s analysis shows that some festive occasions that we celebrate even today have a divisive and sometimes violent past as various groups with conflicting political agendas attempted to define the meaning of the Civil War.
Editions of Cities of the Dead
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807828960
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469624273
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469603582
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807876237
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893131437
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890875549
Read an Excerpt
Exploring the history of Civil War commemorations from both sides of the color line, William Blair places the development of memorial holidays, Emancipation Day celebrations, and other remembrances in the context of Reconstruction politics and race relations in the South. His grassroots examination of these civic rituals demonstrates that the politics of commemoration remained far more contentious than has been previously acknowledged.
Commemorations by ex-Confederates were intended at first to maintain a separate identity from the U.S. government, Blair argues, not as a vehicle for promoting sectional healing. The burial grounds of fallen heroes, known as Cities of the Dead, often became contested ground, especially for Confederate women who were opposed to Reconstruction. And until the turn of the century, African Americans used freedom celebrations to lobby for greater political power and tried to create a national holiday to recognize emancipation.
Blair’s analysis shows that some festive occasions that we celebrate even today have a divisive and sometimes violent past as various groups with conflicting political agendas attempted to define the meaning of the Civil War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cities of the Dead about?
Exploring the history of Civil War commemorations from both sides of the color line, William Blair places the development of memorial holidays, Emancipation Day celebrations, and other remembrances in the context of Reconstruction politics and race relations in the South. His grassroots examination of these civic rituals demonstrates that the politics of commemoration remained far more contentious than has been previously acknowledged.
Commemorations by ex-Confederates were intended at first to maintain a separate identity from the U.S. government, Blair argues, not as a vehicle for promoting sectional healing. The burial grounds of fallen heroes, known as Cities of the Dead, often became contested ground, especially for Confederate women who were opposed to Reconstruction. And until the turn of the century, African Americans used freedom celebrations to lobby for greater political power and tried to create a national holiday to recognize emancipation.
Blair’s analysis shows that some festive occasions that we celebrate even today have a divisive and sometimes violent past as various groups with conflicting political agendas attempted to define the meaning of the Civil War.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cities of the Dead?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Cities of the Dead?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807828960
How long is Cities of the Dead and how many pages does it have?
Cities of the Dead has 264 page(s)
Is Cities of the Dead part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Civil War America
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cities of the Dead?
William A. Blair
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cities of the Dead is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807828960) and paperback(ISBN 9781469624273) and ebook(ISBN 9781469603582) and ebook(ISBN 9780807876237) and ebook(ISBN 9798893131437) and pdf(ISBN 9798890875549)
Where can I buy Cities of the Dead online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cities of the Dead from below
Where can I buy Cities of the Dead?