Black Reconstruction in America W. E. B. Du Bois

back in world of academia, du bois able resume study of reconstruction, topic of 1910 paper presented american historical association. in 1935, published magnum opus, black reconstruction in america. book presented thesis, in words of historian david levering lewis, black people, admitted citizenship in environment of feral hostility, displayed admirable volition , intelligence indolence , ignorance inherent in 3 centuries of bondage. du bois documented how black people central figures in american civil war , reconstruction, , showed how made alliances white politicians. provided evidence coalition governments established public education in south, , many needed social service programs. book demonstrated ways in black emancipation – crux of reconstruction – promoted radical restructuring of united states society, how , why country failed continue support civil rights blacks in aftermath of reconstruction.

the book s thesis ran counter orthodox interpretation of reconstruction maintained white historians, , book virtually ignored mainstream historians until 1960s. thereafter, however, ignited revisionist trend in historiography of reconstruction, emphasized black people s search freedom , era s radical policy changes. 21st century, black reconstruction perceived foundational text of revisionist african american historiography.

in final chapter of book, xiv. propaganda of history , du bois evokes efforts @ writing article encyclopædia britannica on history of american negro . after editors had cut reference reconstruction, insisted following note appear in entry: white historians have ascribed faults , failures of reconstruction negro ignorance , corruption. negro insists negro loyalty , negro vote alone restored south union; established new democracy, both white , black, , instituted public schools. editors refused and, so, du bois withdrew article.