Politics and Welfare in Birmingham, 1900-1975

             This well-written volume explores the relationships between politics and welfare programs for low-income residents in Birmingham during four periods in the 20th century:

• 1900-1917, the formative period of city building when welfare was predominantly a responsibility of the private sector;

•1928-1941, when the Great Depression devastated the local economy and federal intervention became the principal means of meeting human need;

•the mid 1950s, when the lasting impacts of the New Deal could be assessed and when matters of race relations became increasingly significant;

•1962-1975, when an intense period of local government reform, the Civil Rights movement, federal intervention in the form of the War on Poverty, and increasing demands for citizen participation all reinforced one another.

            From the time of its founding in 1871, Birmingham has had a biracial population, so the theme of race relations runs naturally throughout the narrative. LaMonte pays particular attention to those efforts to achieve a more harmonious biracial community, including the failed effort to establish an Urban League in the 1940s, the progressive activities of the Community Chest’s Interracial Division in the 1950s, which were abruptly terminated, and the dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, when local events were elevated to international significance.

This well-written volume explores the relationships between politics and welfare programs for low-income residents in Birmingham during four periods in the 20th century: 1900-1917, the formative period of city building when welfare was predominantly a responsibility of the private sector; 1928-1941, when the Great Depression devastated the local economy and federal intervention became the principal means of meeting human need; the mid 1950s, when the lasting impacts of the New Deal could be assessed and when matters of race relations became increasingly significant; 1962-1975, when an intense period of local government reform, the Civil Rights movement, federal intervention in the form of the War on Poverty, and increasing demands for citizen participation all reinforced one another. From the time of its founding in 1871, Birmingham has had a biracial population, so the theme of race relations runs naturally throughout the narrative. LaMonte pays particular attention to those efforts to achieve a more harmonious biracial community, including the failed effort to establish an Urban League in the 1940s, the progressive activities of the Community Chest's Interracial Division in the 1950s, which were abruptly terminated, and the dramatic events of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, when local events were elevated to international significance. The analysis of politics for each of the four time periods reviews the form of government, who held office, and the routine performance of government in terms of what tasks were done and who benefited. LaMonte explores the critical decisions made during these periods and also the changes in the form of local government, detailing the causes and effects on participants and beneficiaries. The analysis of welfare for these same periods examines the decision-makers, services, recipients of services, and changes in the welfare arena in the 20th century. Politics and welfare in Birmingham are compared with those of other citi

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Studies the relationships between politics and welfare programs for low income residents in Birmingham, Alabama during four periods in the 20th century: 1900-1917--the formative period of city building; 1928-1941--when the Great Depression devastated the local economy; the mid 1950s--when the lasting impacts of the New Deal could be assessed and when race relations came to the forefront; and 1962- 1975--an intense period of local government reform. A thorough work with a clear focus on a neglected subject. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Edward Shannon LaMonte is Vice-President of Administration and Howell Heflin Professor of Political Science at Birmingham-Southern College.