Thread by @pptsapper

Always good to remember that the US Army "broke the Klan's back" in the early 1870s. But the compromise to end Reconstruction 1876-77 and begin "Reconciliation" allowed them right back in, and the terror and intimidation began again

When we say "institutionalized racism" we mean a world where a traitor can become Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court in the 20th century and use that position to ensure the continuation of segregation. He was 1 of 3 ex-Confederates to serve on SCOTUS after the war

Until you realize and accept that 1865-1964 was a continuation of the Civil War via an insurgency from outside the political system (KKK, paramilitary violence, lynching) and inside it, you cannot hope to understand the United States of today

I know I didn't, until I began diving into Reconstruction. It is very hard to read. You have these amazing moments, of plurality, racial equality egalitarianism, & American values, brought about by Federal action - & often military force - & then watch it lost in a bloody tide

I'm pretty sure that's why white Americans remain mostly ignorant of this time period, especially in comparison to the Civil War itself. Because we lost. We gave up. It was too hard, too depressing.

And so we allowed violence to chip away at the hard-won gains in the south

We allowed "rifle clubs" of paramilitary organizations made up of former rebels like the Red Shirts & the White Shirts to conduct campaigns of voter intimidation & terror, while black politicians & white supporters were assassinated or unseated from power

We allowed former members of the Confederate government and military into positions of authority in the US government and military. And by 1900, Jim Crow was in effect & the Supreme Court had neutered the 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments

The promise of freedom was diminished

Small wonder that this is an era white Americans would like to forget

But it is from this era that we have to learn. To learn from those who wouldn't be silent, like Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois. To remember that there are always those speaking for justice - & to listen

That been my lesson, at least. To shut up and learn. I guess that's my path as historian, as well, as I broaden my base of knowledge and try to figure out just who we really are, and if we can be the nation our ideals say that we are

I think we can.

We've got work to do, tho.