Red Rebellion

From Turtledove

The Red Rebellion occurred from 1915-1916 in the early years of the Great War when many blacks, influenced by both Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln revolted against the oppressive government of the Confederate States and attempted to form socialist republics. Possibly about 10% of the 10 million blacks in the Confederacy were involved. With the help of the United States, the rebellion became a major problem, diverting precious Confederate manpower and resources, including units from the frontlines, to the crush the uprisings. One notable republic was the Congaree Socialist Republic whose leaders mainly came from Anne Collerton's Marshlands plantation and this particular Republic lasted longer than most, if not all the others owing to the effective leadership of its ruling junta. During the post-war time era in the CSA, especially after the rise to power of the Freedom Party, blacks generally were scapegoated by blaming them for the rebellion and the Confederacy's defeat during the Great War.

The small amount of liberties that the Blacks had gained post-War of Secession was lost after this rebellion. The post-war hatred toward blacks helped the rise of the hardliner Freedom Party and their leader Jake Featherston. Once assuming power, the new regime began a genocidal campaign on the black population, designed to provoke them into armed conflict. As this process began many blacks began to take arms once again, usually attacking in small raids and using guerrilla warfare. This gave Jake Featherston the excuse to begin rearming the CSA first by breaking the limitations on arms, then reintroducing conscription. This fighting continued into the Second Great War.