The Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation was a silent film released in 1915. The movie was directed by D.W. Griffith, a famous filmmaker and director who was well-known in his day. It depicted the Ku Klux Klan as almost heroic figures, sparking a whirlwind of controversy in many places in the United States. The film was created in two parts, with an intermission in between. The film and shooting techniques were considered highly innovative for that time period. The movie was based around the Civil War era and the first half introduces the viewers to two families, one from the North and one from the South. The two families' lives are intertwined, as the movie tells the story of the war up to Lincoln's assassination.

In the second part of the film, the Reconstruction era is emphasized. It shows the black citizens holding elections and taking over the streets. A plan is created by Ben, one of the main characters of the film, when he becomes inspired after seeing children acting like ghosts to scare the black children away. Soon, this plan grows into something much larger, and Ben is a major player in creating the KKK. In between the main plot of the war and the Klan are stories of love, betrayal, violence, murder, and politics. Such an intense film for an early age made The Birth of a Nation a controversial movie. At that time many Caucasian actors wore black face to portray black characters, but this became a serious issue later on in American history, and is considered to be racist and humiliating today.

In many major cities, riots broke out when the film was shown. Some of these cities include Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston, where violence and race-gang related riots were prevalent. Some larger cities, such as St. Louis, refused to play the film at all due to its controversial nature. Even President Woodrow Wilson received a private screening of the film, and although it disturbed him, he tended to agree with Griffith's portrayal of race relations and of the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. Many white critics dismissed the film, while black critics actually embraced it. It sparked a serious discussion among Americans about different topics, such as how the United States was formed and how blacks and whites coexisted. Many black activist groups today despise the film and contest the portrayal of the role of African Americans during the war. The Birth of a Nation will always be one of the country's most significant, albeit controversial, movies of all time.

For more information about The Birth of a Nation, please refer to the following websites:

• Review – An in-depth review of the film.
• Talking Points – Some important points and discussion questions about the film, as well as background on its creation.
• Black Protests – The movie and how it created large pockets of protest throughout the country.
• Controversy – How and why the film was so controversial.
• Lesson Plan - Guidelines for teachers who want to use the film as a teaching tool.
• Overview – Plot synopsis and related works by D.W. Griffith.
• IMDB Page – The movie's IMDB page with actor names and information.
• Commentary – Opinion piece on the film and the era when many believed Hollywood glorified the KKK.
• Review from 1915 – An original review from film critic in 1915.
• Race and Film – How the movie has led the way for others to portray race in their films.
• Protesting the Movie – More information about how the film encouraged people to protest.
• NAACP & Rights – A helpful lesson plan to show how the movie has affected race relations in America.
• About D.W. Griffith – His film may have sparked controversy, but was he really a racist?
• Griffith Biography – Information about the famous filmmaker.