Introduction:

• Story of the Hamburg Massacre on July 4th, 1876, highlighting racial violence and political turmoil during Reconstruction.

1. Background:
   • Post-Civil War Reconstruction efforts aimed to integrate and empower Black people, but faced strong opposition from white Southerners.
2. Hamburg’s Success:
   • Hamburg, South Carolina, a predominantly Black town, symbolized Black progress with businesses, schools, and churches.
3. Incident Spark:
   • On July 4th, a parade led by the Hamburg militia was disrupted by two white men, leading to a confrontation and subsequent false complaints.
4. Escalation:
   • Arrest warrants were issued, and white leaders, including Benjamin Tillman and the Red Shirts, used the incident to provoke violence.
5. Massacre:
   • On July 8th, armed white men attacked the Black militia, leading to a deadly conflict. Many militia members were executed as a message against Black rights.
6. Aftermath:
   • Despite evidence and eyewitness accounts, no one was held accountable. The massacre was part of a broader effort to restore white dominance.
7. Legacy:
   • The Hamburg Massacre highlights the violent resistance to Black progress and the importance of remembering such tragic events in American history.