No Hollywood film distorted the history of Reconstruction more than D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation.
Several generations of Americans understand the time period primarily through this film, so the film's influence
is significant and is still felt today.
Watch several scenes from the film that focus on the portrayal of African Americans in an inaccurate and racist
way.
The whole movie and clips are available for free on websites such as YouTube.com. The Reconstruction
scenes are in the second half of The Birth of a Nation. The DVD is available at many libraries and is in the
streaming format on Netflix and Films on Demand.
One of the scenes that best exemplifies historical distortion and racism is the segment from the South Carolina
statehouse. Other good examples are scenes with the KKK, whose members are portrayed as heroes.
The Birth of a Nation, South Carolina statehouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4v_yRFf4-Y (Links to an external site.)
The Birth of a Nation, scene with the KKK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX9nLttjVTA (Links to an external site.)
Also read this short essay from the Library of Congress about the film and its controversy.
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/94/9413/nation.html (Links to an external site.)
Discussion Activities:
After viewing the film, answer the following questions:
Describe the actions of the African-American politicians in The Birth of a Nation's South Carolina statehouse
scene. How does this compare to what you are reading in Chapter 15 of the Foner textbook about black
officeholders?
Discuss the actions and portrayal of the KKK in the film. How do they differ from Foner's research?
In the film clips you have watched, what appear to be the fears that white southerners have about the exslaves? Which of these fears is the biggest concern for whites?
According to Griffith's film, what is the legacy of Reconstruction? Compare that to Foner's assessment of
Reconstruction.
Why do you think more people get their history from Hollywood films than from a history book?
After the film's release in 1915, the NAACP and others tried to have the film banned or censored. Discuss the
First Amendment issues that arose from the film's release. Should The Birth of a Nation be shown in public
today?
Sample Solution