The Long Reconstruction: The Post-Civil War South in History, Film, and Memory
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Abstract
A century and a half after the Civil War, Americans are still dealing with the legacies of the confl ict and Reconstruction, including the many myths and legends spawned by these events. The Long Reconstruction: The Post-Civil War South in History, Film, and Memory brings together history and popular culture to explore how the events of this era have been remembered. Looking at popular cinema across the last hundred years, The Long Reconstruction uncovers central themes in the history of Reconstruction, including violence and terrorism; the experiences of African Americans and those of women and children; the Lost Cause ideology; and the economic reconstruction of the American South. Analyzing infl uential fi lms such as The Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind, as well as more recent efforts such as Cold Mountain and Lincoln, the authors show how the myths surrounding Reconstruction have impacted American culture. This engaging book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Reconstruction, historical memory, and popular culture.
Publication Title
The Long Reconstruction: The Post-Civil War South in History, Film, and Memory
First Page Number
1
Last Page Number
161
DOI
10.4324/9780203122266
Recommended Citation
Wetta, Frank J. and Novelli, Martin A., "The Long Reconstruction: The Post-Civil War South in History, Film, and Memory" (2013). Kean Publications. 2110.
https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/keanpublications/2110