Whiskey, Women, and War: How the Great War Shaped Jim Crow New Orleans - Paperback

World War I's Impact on Jim Crow New Orleans

This comprehensive historical account examines the intersection of World War I, civil liberties, and racial politics in early 20th century New Orleans. As the United States entered the Great War in 1917, the city's French heritage created strong cultural ties to the Allied forces, while German-American residents faced harassment from American Protective League volunteers.

Wartime Mobilization and Cultural Transformation

As a major port city, New Orleans underwent dramatic cultural shifts during the war years. French-speaking Louisianans provided technical assistance to the US military, leveraging the city's unique linguistic heritage. The wartime period saw significant changes to the city's vice districts, with jazz musicians dispersing outward and influencing national culture in ways that would reshape American music.

Anti-Vice Crusade and Storyville Closure

The book details the anti-vice crusade designed to safeguard American war efforts, including the implementation of Prohibition and the controversial closure of Storyville, New Orleans's infamous red-light district. These measures fundamentally altered the city's social landscape and had lasting effects on its cultural identity.

Women's Suffrage and the Gordon Sisters

The volume examines the contentious political battle over women's suffrage in New Orleans, focusing on the Gordon sisters who demanded voting rights while simultaneously advocating for the preservation of white supremacy. This complex historical moment reveals the contradictions inherent in Progressive Era reform movements.

Race Relations Under Jim Crow

Despite the rigid enforcement of Jim Crow laws, African Americans were integrated into the city's war effort and cultural landscape in significant ways. The book analyzes these contradictions, exploring how Black New Orleanians navigated wartime mobilization while facing systematic segregation and discrimination.

Political Machine Leadership

The narrative examines how a dynamic political machine boss supervised the city's response to World War I demands, including war bond sales, military enlistments, and civilian mobilization. This leadership shaped how New Orleans confronted the challenges of the Great War period.