Minstrel shows lost popularity for several reasons: flashy vaudeville shows with lavish costumes and extravagant productions attracted more audiences; variety shows also competed for audiences; and the portrayal of women on stage, sometimes scantily clad, became more common and appealing. During and after the Civil War, minstrel shows tried to remain popular by taking a less humorous tone and including more patriotic songs of comfort during mourning; and some highlighted anti-slavery views in an effort to change with the social views in the North and South.

1.  
By: Anna Schiess

2.  Authenticity
o Songs were written about stories from
lives of real slaves
Minstrel Show Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfiNT6AK
G0s 3:05-3:50
-reenactment of Minstrel opening act done in
the 1950s
J. H. Haverly : “I’ve got only one method, and
that is to find out what the people want and
then give them that thing. There’s no use
trying to force the public into the theater”.

3.  The Price of Humor: Racism
o Making fun of opposite races
o Making fun of your own race
“I ketch hold of Cuffee, I take him by de wool,
I ketch hold of Cuffee, he try away to pull
But I up wid a foot, and kick him on de shin,
Which put him breafless on de floor and make de nigger grin.”
 Minstrel shows kept their audiences coming by involving
humble characters, song, dance, and humor into every minute
of their performances.
 Dance, Variety Show, and Plantation Scene (slaves got the
better of their owners)

4.  First Opponent: New Transportation
o Variety Shows
 Second Opponent: Sex Sells, Not Men
o Outside the Minstrel stage, women portrayed women and were
even scantily clad many times.
o Lavish and extravagant shows and costumes attracted more
audiences.
 Third Opponent: Flashy Vaudeville shows
o Alternatively to the low key sets and slapstick humor, Vaudeville
offered more of a lavish extravaganza of a show that kept
audiences coming.

5.  Bribed Audiences
 Playbills became more colorful and eye-catching
 Serenaded newspaper offices in hopes of getting “plugs”
for their shows
 Offered door prizes to audience members
 Slowly began having flashier shows
o Lavish sets
o Props
o Scenery
o glamour

6.  Many shows highlighted
opinions of the North
 Minstrel groups felt they
were in danger
 Christy’s Minstrels did a
heavily anti-slavery show
in Charleston, NC
(southern beliefs)
 Christy’s minstrels were
trying to make light of the
recent war and bloodshed
 To respect loss of fellow
countrymen in war
 Took away over the top
humor
 Songs of patriotism
If I was President in these times, I
know what I would do.
I’d do as Andrew Jackson did,
Stand by the Union too.
 More mournful during the
time of war due loss of
soldiers

7.  The Civil War made way for
Vaudeville.
 The art form transformed by blacks
in America has changed society,
over time, for the better.
 Instead of mocking others
repeatedly, minstrel shows
changed during the Civil War to be
a source of comfort.
 Ultimately, the demise of
minstrelsy was accompanied with
the birth of equal rights for all
races.

8.  In your words, why did
Minstrelsy lose popularity?
 Name two ways Minstrelsy
made an effort to make it
last after the Civil War.