About the book
During World War I, thousands of rural southern men, black and white, refused to serve in the military. Some failed to register for the draft, while others deserted after being inducted. In the countryside, armed bands of deserters defied local authorities; capturing them required the dispatch of federal troops into three southern states.
Jeanette Keith traces southern draft resistance to several sources, including whites' long-term political opposition to militarism, southern blacks' reluctance to serve a nation that refused to respect their rights, the peace witness of southern churches, and, above all, anger at class bias in federal conscription policies. Keith shows how draft dodgers' success in avoiding service resulted from the failure of southern states to create effective mechanisms for identifying and classifying individuals. Lacking local-level data on draft evaders, the federal government used agencies of surveillance both to find reluctant conscripts and to squelch antiwar dissent in rural areas.
Drawing upon rarely used local draft board reports, Selective Service archives, Bureau of Investigation reports, and southern political leaders' constituent files, Keith offers new insights into rural southern politics and society as well as the growing power of the nation-state in early twentieth-century America.
Editions of Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807828977
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807855621
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807875896
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890878564
Read an Excerpt
During World War I, thousands of rural southern men, black and white, refused to serve in the military. Some failed to register for the draft, while others deserted after being inducted. In the countryside, armed bands of deserters defied local authorities; capturing them required the dispatch of federal troops into three southern states.
Jeanette Keith traces southern draft resistance to several sources, including whites' long-term political opposition to militarism, southern blacks' reluctance to serve a nation that refused to respect their rights, the peace witness of southern churches, and, above all, anger at class bias in federal conscription policies. Keith shows how draft dodgers' success in avoiding service resulted from the failure of southern states to create effective mechanisms for identifying and classifying individuals. Lacking local-level data on draft evaders, the federal government used agencies of surveillance both to find reluctant conscripts and to squelch antiwar dissent in rural areas.
Drawing upon rarely used local draft board reports, Selective Service archives, Bureau of Investigation reports, and southern political leaders' constituent files, Keith offers new insights into rural southern politics and society as well as the growing power of the nation-state in early twentieth-century America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight about?
During World War I, thousands of rural southern men, black and white, refused to serve in the military. Some failed to register for the draft, while others deserted after being inducted. In the countryside, armed bands of deserters defied local authorities; capturing them required the dispatch of federal troops into three southern states.
Jeanette Keith traces southern draft resistance to several sources, including whites' long-term political opposition to militarism, southern blacks' reluctance to serve a nation that refused to respect their rights, the peace witness of southern churches, and, above all, anger at class bias in federal conscription policies. Keith shows how draft dodgers' success in avoiding service resulted from the failure of southern states to create effective mechanisms for identifying and classifying individuals. Lacking local-level data on draft evaders, the federal government used agencies of surveillance both to find reluctant conscripts and to squelch antiwar dissent in rural areas.
Drawing upon rarely used local draft board reports, Selective Service archives, Bureau of Investigation reports, and southern political leaders' constituent files, Keith offers new insights into rural southern politics and society as well as the growing power of the nation-state in early twentieth-century America.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history > Specific wars and military campaigns > First World War
Where can I read a sample of Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807828977
How long is Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight and how many pages does it have?
Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight has 272 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight?
Jeanette Keith
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807828977) and paperback(ISBN 9780807855621) and ebook(ISBN 9780807875896) and pdf(ISBN 9798890878564)
Where can I buy Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight from below
Where can I buy Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight?