American Experience (1988)

Episode Overview

American Coup: Wilmington 1898 uncovers the harrowing account of a violent race massacre and a meticulously planned uprising in North Carolina’s largest city, marking the only successful coup d'état in U.S. history. Fueled by fears of "Negro Rule," self-identified white supremacists employed intimidation and brutality to dismantle Black political and economic influence, ultimately toppling Wilmington’s democratically elected, multi-racial government. Numerous Black individuals were killed, and thousands were forced to flee. For decades, this tragic chapter was kept hidden, but descendants and scholars have since begun to explore the truth, with many—both Black and white—now seeking to unveil this intentionally obscured history.