Disenfranchisement and Democracy in the Old Line State, 1900-1915

Abstract

This thesis investigates the complex day-by-day account of the development and resistance towards disenfranchisement measures in early 20th century Maryland. Through primary source newspaper articles published by the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Afro-American and others, this study examines the growth of the three disenfranchising amendments in 1905, 1909, and 1911. It also examines Black resistance against voter suppression, the lack of cooperation between Black and White organizations working to combat the amendments, and the ability of White framers to enact limited disenfranchisement at the municipal level. Disenfranchisement in Maryland was not a simple affair with a foregone conclusion of its defeat. Democratic Party framers actively investigated the failure of each disenfranchisement attempt and tailored each subsequent attempt. This required the Black anti-disenfranchisement movement to constantly evolve and develop new means of resistance. Although local disenfranchisement also faced resistance, it was typically only in court after the laws were successfully passed. Local disenfranchisement remained the primary means by which Black Marylanders were disenfranchised from 1900-1915, as municipal measures avoided the visibility and red tape that led to resistance of the state-wide amendments.