“Waving the Red Shirts of Redemption: Reconstruction Era Politics and the South Carolina Election of 1876”

Reconstruction Era politics was a rough and tumble and occasionally violent affair. National Park Service Historian Nathan Betcher will discuss the political turbulence of the ten years between the end of the Civil War and the election of 1876. Radical Republicans, Independent Republicans, Straight-out Democrats and Fusion Democrats all vied for votes and dominance. Scandals, malfeasance, and charges of voter fraud were rife. Local players included William Whipper and Robert Smalls.  This program is brought to you as an "Historically Speaking" Extra during Summer Reading Program 2023. This free program is a "First Come; First Seated; Doors open 30 minutes ahead of program start time" deal.

About the Speaker:

Nathan Betcher is the Historian for Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort, South Carolina. At the park, he is responsible for research into the people and places of Reconstruction, coordinating activities of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, and is responsible for…