Dan Snow's History Hit The Origins of Jim Crow
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Mar 12, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Aaron Sheehan-Dean, a Professor of Southern Studies at Louisiana State University, sheds light on the grim origins of Jim Crow laws. He explains how attempts to create a multiracial democracy post-Civil War unraveled, leading to the systemic disenfranchisement of African Americans. The conversation dives into the paradoxical relationship between technology and oppression, the pivotal Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson, and the intricate social and legal frameworks that enforced racial segregation in the South.
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Reconstruction's Goal
- Reconstruction aimed to build a biracial democracy in the South after the Civil War.
- This involved granting Black Southerners citizenship and voting rights, a novel experiment for the region.
Resurgence of White Control
- Despite advancements in Black Southerners' rights during Reconstruction, white conservatives regained control by 1875.
- This resurgence of "Home Rule" curtailed the progress made in Black political inclusion.
Railroad Segregation
- The first Jim Crow laws appeared on railroads due to successful Black travelers buying first-class tickets.
- This created a dilemma in these shared spaces, especially regarding interactions between Black men and white women.