As Louisiana and Cuba emerged from slavery in the late nineteenth century; each faced the question of what rights former slaves could claim. Degrees of Freedom compares and contrasts these two societies in which slavery was destroyed by war; and citizenship was redefined through social and political upheaval. Both Louisiana and Cuba were rich in sugar plantations that depended on an enslaved labor force. After abolition; on both sides of the Gulf of Mexico; ordinary people-cane cutters and cigar workers; laundresses and labor organizers-forged alliances to protect and expand the freedoms they had won. But by the beginning of the twentieth century; Louisiana and Cuba diverged sharply in the meanings attributed to race and color in public life; and in the boundaries placed on citizenship.Louisiana had taken the path of disenfranchisement and state-mandated racial segregation; Cuba had enacted universal manhood suffrage and had seen the emergence of a transracial conception of the nation. What might explain these differences? Moving through the cane fields; small farms; and cities of Louisiana and Cuba; Rebecca Scott skillfully observes the people; places; legislation; and leadership that shaped how these societies adjusted to the abolition of slavery. The two distinctive worlds also come together; as Cuban exiles take refuge in New Orleans in the 1880s; and black soldiers from Louisiana garrison small towns in eastern Cuba during the 1899 U.S. military occupation. Crafting her narrative from the words and deeds of the actors themselves; Scott brings to life the historical drama of race and citizenship in postemancipation societies.
#602501 in Books Belknap Press of Harvard University Press 2004-09-30 2004-08-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .94 x 6.13l; .95 #File Name: 0674016246384 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great starting pointBy J GrimesBerlin's generational and geographical study is well thought out; researched; and written and would make a good starting point and a great primer for anyone interested in the study of slavery. The book is very general and broad in scope; not focusing on one part of the country or one aspect of slavery for too long. If you want to get a good overall picture of slavery over time this book would be a good place to start.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A nice overview of the change in slavery in AmericaBy K PetersonI got this book for a class but it is rather interesting. History tends to focus on the antebellum south when discussing slavery but this book gives you a good look at how slavery was different throughout parts of the US. If you are really interested in the history of slavery; it's definitely worth a look.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great readBy Marsha GrahamGreat read. Recommend it for any one interested in the subject of slavery before the Civil War.
