My book project, Mapping American Authoritarianism: Race, Geography, and the Making of the Jim Crow South , explores the intersection of geography, race, and politics in the post-Civil War South. The research focuses on how many American institutions of representation can be geographically modified. By examining the strategic reconfigurations of counties and other geographic units, I aim to demonstrate how these changes were used to create and amplify political advantages. This book delves into the end of Reconstruction, analyzing the impact of geographic restructuring on the political landscape and the rise of the one-party Jim Crow South.
Through a blend of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, I investigate the creation of new counties, adjustments in state legislative representation, the birth of the racial gerrymander, and the evolution of electoral institutions. These factors, I argue, were crucial in shaping the decline of Reconstruction and the emergence of authoritarian governance in the South. My study extends to the populist movements within the region, offering insights into their development and the broader context of power dynamics during this era. This research seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the period, highlighting the deliberate strategies used to maintain and consolidate power.
My goal with 'Mapping American Authoritarianism' is twofold. First, I hope to demonstrate the concrete role played by geography and electoral institutions in shaping the path from Radical Reconstruction to Jim Crow rule. I hope to offer a perspective on how geographical configurations can be used as tools in political strategy -and how most of these tools are still used today. This book is intended for fellow scholars and students with an interest in the complexities of power, race, and geography in American history.