Wilmington Insurrection of 1898

The Wilmington Insurrection of 1898 was a violent coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, where white supremacists forcibly overthrew the elected local government, predominantly African American. Led by white voters and paramilitary groups, they attacked Black neighborhoods, killed residents, and ousted the Black mayor and officials. This event dismantled a successful Black-led government, eliminated political power for Black residents, and established white dominance through intimidation and violence. It is considered one of the world's only successful coup d'état in a municipal election and significantly reinforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement in the South.