Prairie fires: urban rebellions as black working class politics in three Midwestern cities

This study investigates the social, economic and political upheavals caused by the urban rebellions of the 1960s. Using Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Omaha, Nebraska as case studies, this dissertation argues that the uprisings were historically informed acts of resistance, which demonstrated a Midwestern, gendered, and working-class character. Prairie Fires registers the significant impact the rebellions had not only in transforming the consciousness of African Americans but also in altering the relationship between Blacks, urban communities, and the State as well as highlighting class fractures within Black politics. This interpretative lens validates the black urban rebellions not only as legitimate responses to oppression, but part of an American tradition of working class insurrection.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Howard, Ashley

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cha-Jua, Sundiata K.
• Barrett, James R.
• Lang, Clarence E.
• Greenberg, Cheryl L.

• African Americans
• riots
• rebellion
• Midwestern
• working-class
• Omaha, NE
• Milwaukee, WI
• Cincinnati, OH

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Ashley Howard

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/34444

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/34444