Mississippi observed nice switch within the 4 a long time after Reconstruction. among 1877 and 1917 the nation remodeled. Its towns elevated speedily in dimension and observed the appearance of electrical lighting, streetcars, and relocating images. Farmers varied their operations, sharply expanding their creation of corn, candy potatoes, and dairy items. Mississippians equipped huge fabric turbines in a few towns and elevated the variety of production employees tenfold.

But many stuff didn't swap. In 1917 as in 1877, Mississippi was once a best cotton manufacturer and relied extra seriously on cotton than on the other product. In 1917 as in 1877 the country had stricken race family members and was once all too usually the positioning of lynchings and race riots. in comparison with different states in 1917, Mississippi used to be close to the ground of the checklist for size of the college yr, for percent of farms that boasted tractors, and for the variety of miles of paved or gravel roads. Mississippi used to be the least city and such a lot agricultural kingdom within the country.

Rednecks, Redeemers, and Race: Mississippi after Reconstruction, 1877-1917 examines the ambiguity of vital switch along many unbroken continuities. It explores the explanations Mississippi was once no more profitable in urbanizing, in industrializing, and in lowering its reliance on cotton. the quantity closes via taking a look at occasions that may circulate Mississippi in the direction of the nationwide mainstream.

Stephen Cresswell is professor of background at West Virginia Wesleyan university and is the writer of Multiparty Politics in Mississippi, 1877-1902 (University Press of Mississippi) and Mormons and Cowboys, Moonshiners and Klansmen: Federal legislations Enforcement within the South and West, 1870-1893.