On November 10, 1898, Wilmington, North Carolina, was the scene of a violent insurrection that overthrew a legitimately elected, biracial government. The events marked one of the darkest periods in the state’s and the nation’s history. Led by a white supremacist coalition, this organized coup sought to reverse racial progress and assert white dominance. Here’s a detailed exploration of the causes, the event itself, and its lasting repercussions.

Setting the Stage: The Political and Social Climate

Reconstruction and the Rise of Fusion Politics

After the Civil War, Wilmington emerged as a rare example of a thriving, racially mixed community. The Reconstruction era had granted formerly enslaved Black people citizenship and, theoretically, equal rights under the law. By the 1890s, Wilmington had a Black middle class, with successful Black-owned businesses, schools, and a high degree of political participation.

The 1890s political climate in North Carolina saw a coalition, known as the Fusion Movement, formed between Republicans and Populists. This alliance aimed to challenge the power of the state’s Democratic Party by promoting policies for poor farmers, Black citizens, and marginalized communities. The Fusionists gained significant political power, controlling the state legislature and electing officials who were progressive by the standards of the time.

Tension and White Supremacist Backlash

As Wilmington flourished, a faction of white Democrats viewed the city’s prosperity with increasing resentment, especially regarding the success and social standing of the Black population. By the late 1890s, white Democrats in North Carolina grew increasingly radical in their desire to “redeem” the state by reclaiming power and implementing policies that would strip Black citizens of their political rights.

The Democratic Party’s propaganda spread fear that white Southerners were losing control to Black citizens and their white allies in government. Racist newspapers, particularly the News and Observer, circulated sensationalist stories about Black men threatening white women. They also published articles ridiculing Black success and stoking fears of “Negro rule.”

The Coup Plot: Plans for a Hostile Takeover

The Role of the White Supremacy Campaign

By 1898, prominent white Democrats launched a “White Supremacy Campaign” under the leadership of men like Alfred Moore Waddell, a former Confederate officer, and Josephus Daniels, publisher of the News and Observer. Their plan was clear: retake Wilmington by any means necessary. The campaign used intimidation, violence, and propaganda to sway voters.

The Democratic Party declared that the November 1898 election would determine the future of the white race in Wilmington. Threats and rumors circulated, pressuring white citizens to vote Democratic. Red Shirts, a paramilitary arm of the white supremacist movement, openly paraded with weapons and used violence to suppress Black voters and intimidate white Fusionists.

The “White Declaration of Independence”

On November 9, 1898, Waddell and other white supremacist leaders issued a “White Declaration of Independence,” which demanded the resignation of the city’s Black officials, the resignation of Alexander Manly, editor of The Daily Record, Wilmington’s Black-owned newspaper, and the removal of Black citizens from positions of influence. This declaration became the foundation for their planned takeover.

November 10, 1898: The Coup Unfolds

Attacking The Daily Record Office

At dawn on November 10, white men armed with rifles and pistols marched to The Daily Record office. Led by Waddell, the mob torched the building, destroying the only Black-owned newspaper in North Carolina. The paper’s editor, Alexander Manly, managed to escape but lost his business and source of livelihood.

Organized Violence Against the Black Community

As the day progressed, white mobs roamed Wilmington’s streets, targeting Black citizens. Houses and businesses in the Black community were destroyed, looted, and burned. Black residents were brutally beaten, and an estimated 60 to 300 were killed. In addition to those murdered, hundreds of Black citizens were forced to flee Wilmington, taking refuge in nearby woods or neighboring towns.

Overthrowing the Government

In an unprecedented act, Waddell and other coup leaders stormed Wilmington’s city hall and forcibly removed elected officials. Mayor Silas P. Wright, members of the board of aldermen, and other city officials were threatened and forced to resign. Waddell then declared himself mayor, establishing a new, illegitimate government. This violent upheaval marked the only known successful coup in U.S. history, as the newly installed officials held power and the state made no effort to reinstate the rightful government.

The Aftermath and Legacy of the Coup

Suppression and Disenfranchisement

The Wilmington Coup became a catalyst for more systemic disenfranchisement across North Carolina. In 1900, the state legislature enacted Jim Crow laws, effectively eliminating Black voters through literacy tests, poll taxes, and the grandfather clause. These laws spread throughout the South, marking the beginning of an era of racial segregation and institutionalized racism that persisted for decades.

Wilmington’s Black Population

The coup fundamentally altered Wilmington’s demographics. By the early 1900s, the Black population of Wilmington had decreased by nearly half. Economic opportunities for Black citizens vanished, as businesses were destroyed or taken over by white residents. Many survivors of the coup and their descendants left the city and moved to other parts of the country, contributing to the larger Great Migration.

Erasure and Reclamation of History

For over a century, the true nature of the events in Wilmington was largely hidden from historical narratives. Local newspapers, such as the News and Observer, initially depicted the coup as a “race riot,” with no acknowledgment of the systematic targeting and murder of Black citizens or the overthrow of the government. It wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that historians began to reveal the truth about the events of November 10, 1898.

In 2006, the North Carolina General Assembly created the Wilmington Race Riot Commission to investigate the coup’s history and recommend actions for reparations. The commission’s final report confirmed that the event was a coup d’état orchestrated by white supremacists, marking a significant step in public recognition of the event’s legacy.

The Lasting Impact of the 1898 Coup on American Society

The Wilmington Coup exemplified how white supremacy reasserted itself post-Reconstruction, leaving an indelible mark on North Carolina and the broader United States. The coup directly led to the disenfranchisement of African Americans across the South, setting back racial progress for generations. Additionally, it showcased the power of propaganda and violence in shaping political outcomes, creating a legacy of white supremacist violence that echoes in various forms today.

In recent years, Wilmington’s Black community and the city as a whole have worked to memorialize the events of 1898. However, the coup remains a painful reminder of racial injustice, underscoring the need for ongoing conversations about race, power, and history in America.

Reflections on the Wilmington Coup

The events of November 10, 1898, challenge us to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s history. While the United States values ideals of democracy and equal rights, Wilmington’s story reveals the fragility of these principles when faced with deep-seated racism and power struggles. Recognizing and learning from this history is essential as the country continues its pursuit of a more inclusive and just society.

This tragic, often overlooked story is an essential part of understanding racial dynamics in the United States. Wilmington’s coup stands as a powerful reminder of both the achievements of Black communities post-Civil War and the lengths to which white supremacy sought to dismantle these gains.