Minstrelsy and American Pop Music in the 19th Century

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to minstrelsy and American popular music in the 19th century.

Minstrel Shows

Theatrical performances featuring white actors in blackface, depicting caricatures of African American life, which helped shape early American popular culture.

Jim Crow

A character created by Thomas Rice in the 1820s, symbolizing racial stereotypes and caricatures of African Americans.

Dan Emmett

A prominent figure in the minstrel genre known for creating an entire show of blackfaced performers in the 1840s.

Blue-Tail Fly

A song written by Dan Emmett that reflects the minstrel tradition, depicting the life of a slave in a sentimental manner.

Stephen Foster

An influential songwriter of the 19th century known for his plantation songs, including 'Oh! Susanna' and 'My Old Kentucky Home'.

Copyright Issues

During the mid-19th century, songwriters like Stephen Foster struggled with copyrights, impacting their financial success.

Charles Harris

The songwriter of 'After the Ball,' which became immensely popular following its performance at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

'After the Ball'

A sentimental song that became a major hit in 1892, recognized as the first mega-hit in sheet music sales.