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A large group of men in capes and peaked caps march through city streets carrying torches.
"Grand procession of Wide-Awakes at New York on the evening of October 3, 1860," an illustration in Harper's Weekly

Politics by Torchlight: Wide-Awake Clubs in 19th-Century Politics

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They marched through the streets of American cities and towns in 1860: men in uniform, sporting military caps and black capes, arrayed in orderly formations and led by officers, their torches and lanterns lighting up the night, carrying banners bearing the image of a large open eye. Were these U.S. troops? Members of an invading army?

Neither: They were Wide Awakes.

In 1860, political groups called “Wide-Awake Clubs” were active in communities across the U.S. These clubs were dedicated to the preservation of the Union, opposed to the expansion of slavery, and fiercely devoted to electing Abraham Lincoln president. And they were known for their torchlight processions, as well as for their songs, ribbons, and rituals.

A leaflet from the Albany Republican Wide-Awake Club of New York state provides opportunities to explore not only the organization and activities of a Wide-Awake club, but also its political priorities.

A page from a leaflet includes club information in italic script.
Leaflet from the Albany Republican Wide-Awake Club, 1860

Distribute this leaflet to students and allow time for them to read. (Note the option to view “Image w/ Text.”) Then, ask them to:

  • Look at the passages that describe the club’s first parade and its uniform, and identify as many individual visual details as possible in the descriptions. Consider: Why do you think visual appeal was so important to this political club in 1860?
  • Revisit the paragraph on page 3 that begins with “The Organization is not intended alone for torch-light processions.” What Election Day duties does this paragraph mention? Speculate as to what each of these duties might have involved.
  • Do parades and processions like the marches of the Wide Awakes have any equivalents in electoral politics in the 21st century? What are the similarities and differences?
  • Search the historic newspapers in Chronicling America to find articles or advertisements related to Wide Awake clubs. When were these clubs most popular? Why do you think their popularity peaked when it did?

Share any insights related to Wide-Awake clubs or 19th-century elections in the comments!

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Comments (2)

    • Kara, that’s an amazing image! You can really see the shininess of this Wide Awake’s cape.

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