Southern slaveholders proudly pronounced themselves orthodox Christians; who accepted responsibility for the welfare of the people who worked for them. They proclaimed that their slaves enjoyed a better and more secure life than any laboring class in the world. Now; did it not follow that the lives of laborers of all races across the world would be immeasurably improved by their enslavement? In the Old South but in no other slave society a doctrine emerged among leading clergymen; politicians; and intellectuals-- "Slavery in the Abstract;" which declared enslavement the best possible condition for all labor regardless of race. They joined the Socialists; whom they studied; in believing that the free-labor system; wracked by worsening class warfare; was collapsing. A vital question: to what extent did the people of the several social classes of the South accept so extreme a doctrine? That question lies at the heart of this book.
#351337 in Books John Thornton 1998-04-28 1998-07-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .91 x 5.98l; 1.20 #File Name: 0521627249380 pagesAfrica and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World 1400 1800
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Wealth of Information on early African ColonialsBy DJ19 Africans were brought to the new World in this ships Treasurer and White Lion the first privateers in 1619.They were more or less traded for victuals for the return trip to England. John Rolfe commented. 11 of the 19 ended up in the hands of George Yeardley and Abraham Piercy; whose connections with the Earl of Warwick may have given them better access to purchase slaves from his privateers. 11 Africans found at Piercy's Flowerdew Hundred in 1624. Eventually they found their way to Captain Samuel Matthews's estate in 1629.P146.The Africans had personal and social relations with each other. One of the first cases mention John Gaeween.The Authors lay out the history of Portuguese Angola from 1472; to the 160 time frame.The fact that the 19 were probably well educated and were Catholic. Most retained their Christian names. Edward kept his unusual name Mozingo and is the forebear of all the descendants of that surname in America. They both helped the Mozingo research with information.The Africans retained their Creole Culture and elements of European language. The book puts the English Colonies within the framework of the Atlantic Economy and Historical framework; of the Americas; Europe and the African Atlantic Coast.They are the forebears and the foundation of all that historically followed.There were many documents in all these countries and Archives researched. It is extensive in it's scope and actually took 2 books.John Thornton also wrote Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World; 1400-1800Both Books are a must read for understanding ethnic cultures in early America.In the Appendix of the book are many lists of Slave names found in early Colonial Virginia Records and is a wealth of information for researchers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy RyanControversial thesis; suggesting Slavery was Afro-centric. Slightly dense to read; but very detailed and thorough arguments throughout.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Cortney RDry in parts but overall a good overview on the beginning of the slave trade
