About the book
In the 1920s, Henry Ford hired thousands of African American men for his open-shop system of auto manufacturing. This move was a rejection of the notion that better jobs were for white men only. In The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford, Beth Tompkins Bates explains how black Detroiters, newly arrived from the South, seized the economic opportunities offered by Ford in the hope of gaining greater economic security. As these workers came to realize that Ford’s anti-union “American Plan” did not allow them full access to the American Dream, their loyalty eroded, and they sought empowerment by pursuing a broad activist agenda. This, in turn, led them to play a pivotal role in the United Auto Workers' challenge to Ford’s interests.
In order to fully understand this complex shift, Bates traces allegiances among Detroit’s African American community as reflected in its opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, challenges to unfair housing practices, and demands for increased and effective political participation. This groundbreaking history demonstrates how by World War II Henry Ford and his company had helped kindle the civil rights movement in Detroit without intending to do so.
Editions of The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807835647
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469613857
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807837450
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469601571
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893130034
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890840059
Read an Excerpt
In the 1920s, Henry Ford hired thousands of African American men for his open-shop system of auto manufacturing. This move was a rejection of the notion that better jobs were for white men only. In The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford, Beth Tompkins Bates explains how black Detroiters, newly arrived from the South, seized the economic opportunities offered by Ford in the hope of gaining greater economic security. As these workers came to realize that Ford’s anti-union “American Plan” did not allow them full access to the American Dream, their loyalty eroded, and they sought empowerment by pursuing a broad activist agenda. This, in turn, led them to play a pivotal role in the United Auto Workers' challenge to Ford’s interests.
In order to fully understand this complex shift, Bates traces allegiances among Detroit’s African American community as reflected in its opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, challenges to unfair housing practices, and demands for increased and effective political participation. This groundbreaking history demonstrates how by World War II Henry Ford and his company had helped kindle the civil rights movement in Detroit without intending to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford about?
In the 1920s, Henry Ford hired thousands of African American men for his open-shop system of auto manufacturing. This move was a rejection of the notion that better jobs were for white men only. In The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford, Beth Tompkins Bates explains how black Detroiters, newly arrived from the South, seized the economic opportunities offered by Ford in the hope of gaining greater economic security. As these workers came to realize that Ford’s anti-union “American Plan” did not allow them full access to the American Dream, their loyalty eroded, and they sought empowerment by pursuing a broad activist agenda. This, in turn, led them to play a pivotal role in the United Auto Workers' challenge to Ford’s interests.
In order to fully understand this complex shift, Bates traces allegiances among Detroit’s African American community as reflected in its opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, challenges to unfair housing practices, and demands for increased and effective political participation. This groundbreaking history demonstrates how by World War II Henry Ford and his company had helped kindle the civil rights movement in Detroit without intending to do so.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Where can I read a sample of The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807835647
How long is The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford and how many pages does it have?
The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford has 360 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford?
Beth Tompkins Bates
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807835647) and paperback(ISBN 9781469613857) and ebook(ISBN 9780807837450) and ebook(ISBN 9781469601571) and ebook(ISBN 9798893130034) and pdf(ISBN 9798890840059)
Where can I buy The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford from below
Where can I buy The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford?