Wilmington's Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy

Assess the quality of evidence used by Zucchino to craft his narrative. Are all of the kinds of evidence equally reliable? Are some forms of evidence stronger than others?

How does Zucchino use figurative and connotative language to characterize the historical figures in Wilmington’s Lie? What does his language reveal about his key ideas?

To what extent are the Republican policies of the 2010s in North Carolina similar to those used by Democrats in the 1890s and 1900s? Do you agree with Zucchino’s characterization of their relationship? Why or why not?

How do white supremacist ideologies as described by Zucchino relate to traditional patriarchal norms? What does this suggest about the connection, if any, between patriarchy and white supremacy?

How does Zucchino characterize the white and Black communities of Wilmington? What do the events of 1898 suggest about the tensions and power structures in that community?

What is the role of newspaper reporting and other forms of media in Wilmington’s Lie? What does the book suggest about the nature and power of popular narratives?

Compare and contrast white supremacist leaders Colonel Waddell and Josephus Daniels. How are their motivations and tactics aligned? How are they different?

What impacts of the 1898 Wilmington massacre and coup can still be observed in Wilmington and the greater United States today?