Daniel Lindsay Russell became the 49th Governor of North Carolina in 1896. Although Russell was born to a prominent family who enslaved Black people, grew up on a plantation, and served for a brief time in the Confederate Army, his dissatisfaction with southern leadership led to his joining the Republican Party in 1867. Russell was considered a leader in the party and had a unique perspective as he was one of the few members who had roots in the plantation elite. He served in several positions prior to becoming governor. He was a superior court judge at only 22 years old and served one term in Congress before being elected to the governorship.
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This lesson explores the Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état of 1898 by examining the events and political environment leading up to and the people and groups involved in the massacre and coup.
