American Experience

Race and the West Virginia Mine Wars

To meet the growing demand for coal in the early 20th century, West Virginia companies needed more miners. African Americans mixed with European immigrants and native Appalachians in the mines and the coal towns. Coal operators felt that diversity would keep unionization at bay.

Race and the West Virginia Mine Wars

2m 59s

  • Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP

    S37 E1 - 1h 52m

    The civil rights movement was set in motion by activists of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. While some of its leaders are familiar, Walter White — NAACP head from 1929 to 1955 and one of America’s most influential Black men — has been all but forgotten. This film traces the fascinating and complex life of this neglected civil rights hero. From AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

  • American Coup: Wilmington 1898: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    American Coup: Wilmington 1898

    S36 E7 - 1h 51m

    American Coup: Wilmington 1898 tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898. Stoking fears of “Negro Rule,” self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically-elected, multi-racial government.

  • The American Vice President: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The American Vice President

    S36 E6 - 52m 36s

    The American Vice President tells the little-known story of the second-highest office in the land, tracing its evolution from a constitutional afterthought to a position of political consequence. Focusing on the fraught period between 1963 and 1974, the film examines the passage and first uses of the 25th Amendment and offers a fresh perspective on succession in the executive branch.

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