The Historic Importance of the Wilmington Coup of 1898 and Fragile Nature of American Democracy
By Mark A Leon
The Wilmington Coup of 1898, also referred to as the Wilmington Massacre, stands as a pivotal and tragic event in American history. It was the only successful coup d’état on U.S. soil and marked a brutal turning point in the post-Reconstruction South. This event not only dismantled a multiracial government in Wilmington, North Carolina, but also entrenched white supremacy and disenfranchised African Americans for decades. Understanding its causes, execution, and consequences sheds light on the systemic racial violence that shaped U.S. history.
Background: A Thriving Multiracial Society
In the late 19th century, Wilmington was North Carolina’s largest city and a thriving port with a majority Black population. African Americans in Wilmington had achieved significant economic and political success. They owned businesses, worked as professionals, and held public offices under the Fusionist government—a coalition of Black Republicans and white Populists that had gained power in 1894. This progress symbolized the potential of multiracial democracy in the South.
However, this success threatened the white elite. The Democratic Party, dominated by white supremacists, sought to regain control of North Carolina through propaganda, intimidation, and violence. Their campaign framed Black political participation as a danger to white society, fueling racial tensions across the state.
The Prelude to Violence
The Democratic Party’s 1898 campaign was meticulously planned. Leaders like Furnifold Simmons and Alfred M. Waddell used newspapers to spread racist propaganda, fiery speeches to incite fear among white voters, and armed groups like the Red Shirts to intimidate Black citizens. The campaign culminated in the November 8 elections, where Democrats regained state legislative control through voter suppression and fraud.
In Wilmington, however, the Fusionist government remained in power. White supremacists issued a “White Declaration of Independence,” demanding an end to Black political participation and threatening violent action if their demands were not met.
The Coup: November 10, 1898
On November 10, 1898, a mob of over 2,000 armed white men led by Waddell launched a premeditated attack on Wilmington’s Black community. The violence began with the destruction of The Daily Record, a Black-owned newspaper run by Alex Manly. The mob then moved through Black neighborhoods, killing an estimated 60 to over 300 African Americans and forcing hundreds to flee into swamps or out of town entirely.
Simultaneously, the mob overthrew Wilmington’s elected government at gunpoint. They forced Black leaders and Fusionist officials to resign and installed their own white supremacist government with Waddell as mayor. This marked the first—and only—coup d’état in U.S. history.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Wilmington Coup had devastating immediate and long-term effects:
• Disenfranchisement: The coup solidified white supremacy in North Carolina politics. Following the events in Wilmington, Democrats enacted Jim Crow laws that disenfranchised African Americans statewide.
• Economic Devastation: Black-owned businesses were destroyed or seized, and prominent Black families were driven out of Wilmington. The city’s Black population plummeted from 56% in 1898 to less than 15% today.
• Historical Erasure: For decades, the events were misrepresented as a “race riot” instigated by African Americans rather than a premeditated massacre and coup. This distorted narrative justified white supremacy while silencing Black voices.
The Wilmington Coup became a model for racial violence across the South during the Jim Crow era. It demonstrated how systemic racism could be enforced through violence and propaganda while erasing democratic gains made during Reconstruction.
Conclusion
The Wilmington Coup of 1898 was not just an isolated act of racial violence but a watershed moment in U.S. history. It highlighted the fragility of democracy when confronted with systemic racism and underscored how propaganda and violence can undermine justice. Its legacy serves as both a warning and an imperative to confront historical injustices while striving for equity and truth in modern society.
