Abstract

The case of Darien, Georgia, illustrates how democracy can be fostered rather than imposed, even among persons raised in slavery, who, initially, lacked economic resources and political experience. Darien is the exception that proves the rule. In this small community on the Atlantic coast of Georgia, between Savannah and the Florida border, Radical Reconstruction was relatively successful, even though the Freedman's Bureau and the Republican Party did not follow through on their plans to establish an economic and political foundation for fostering democracy in the South (Foner 1990). Perhaps the Republican Party might still learn something from this one case where Radical Reconstruction actually worked. Perhaps they might learn that democracy can be fostered but not imposed.