| The Two Reconstructions: The Struggle for Black Enfranchisement Contributor(s): Valelly, Richard M. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0226845281 ISBN-13: 9780226845289 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $98.01 Product Type: Hardcover Published: October 2004 Annotation: Winner of the 2005 J. David Greenstone Book Award from the Politics and History section of the American Political Science Association. Winner of the 2005 Ralph J. Bunche Award of the American Political Science Association Winner of the 2005 V.O. Key, Jr. Award of the Southern Political Science Association The Reconstruction era marked a huge political leap for African Americans, who rapidly went from the status of slaves to voters and officeholders. Yet this hard-won progress lasted only a few decades. Ultimately a "second reconstruction"--associated with the civil rights movement and the Voting Rights Act--became necessary. How did the first reconstruction fail so utterly, setting the stage for the complete disenfranchisement of Southern black voters, and why did the second succeed? These are among the questions Richard M. Valelly answers in this fascinating history. The fate of black enfranchisement, he argues, has been closely intertwined with the strengths and constraints of our political institutions. Valelly shows how effective biracial coalitions have been the key to success and incisively traces how and why political parties and the national courts either rewarded or discouraged the formation of coalitions. Revamping our understanding of American race relations, "The Two Reconstructions" brilliantly explains a puzzle that lies at the heart of America's development as a political democracy. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Political Science | Civil Rights - Political Science | Political Process - Campaigns & Elections |
| Dewey: 323.119 |
| LCCN: 2004010380 |
| Series: American Politics and Political Economy |
| Physical Information: 1.02" H x 6.76" W x 8.86" (1.30 lbs) 348 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century - Ethnic Orientation - African American |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Winner of the 2005 J. David Greenstone Book Award from the Politics and History section of the American Political Science Association. Winner of the 2005 Ralph J. Bunche Award of the American Political Science Association Winner of the 2005 V.O. Key, Jr. Award of the Southern Political Science Association The Reconstruction era marked a huge political leap for African Americans, who rapidly went from the status of slaves to voters and officeholders. Yet this hard-won progress lasted only a few decades. Ultimately a second reconstruction--associated with the civil rights movement and the Voting Rights Act--became necessary. How did the first reconstruction fail so utterly, setting the stage for the complete disenfranchisement of Southern black voters, and why did the second succeed? These are among the questions Richard M. Valelly answers in this fascinating history. The fate of black enfranchisement, he argues, has been closely intertwined with the strengths and constraints of our political institutions. Valelly shows how effective biracial coalitions have been the key to success and incisively traces how and why political parties and the national courts either rewarded or discouraged the formation of coalitions. Revamping our understanding of American race relations, The Two Reconstructions brilliantly explains a puzzle that lies at the heart of America's development as a political democracy. |