Originating with the birth of the nation itself; in many respects; the story of the domestic slave trade is also the story of the early United States. While an external traffic in slaves had always been present; following the American Revolution this was replaced by a far more vibrant internal trade. Most importantly; an interregional commerce in slaves developed that turned human property into one of the most valuable forms of investment in the country; second only to land. In fact; this form of property became so valuable that when threatened with its ultimate extinction in 1860; southern slave owners believed they had little alternative but to leave the Union. Therefore; while the interregional trade produced great wealth for many people; and the nation; it also helped to tear the country apart. The domestic slave trade likewise played a fundamental role in antebellum American society. Led by professional traders; who greatly resembled northern entrepreneurs; this traffic was a central component in the market revolution of the early nineteenth century. In addition; the development of an extensive local trade meant that the domestic trade; in all its configurations; was a prominent feature in southern life. Yet; this indispensable part of the slave system also raised many troubling questions. For those outside the South; it affected their impression of both the region and the new nation. For slaveholders; it proved to be the most difficult part of their institution to defend. And for those who found themselves commodities in this trade; it was something that needed to be resisted at all costs. Carry Me Back restores the domestic slave trade to the prominent place that it deserves in early American history; exposing the many complexities of southern slavery and antebellum American life.
#149716 in Books 2003-03-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.32 x 1.19 x 9.56l; #File Name: 0195153472376 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Unique thought provoking view of American historyBy RkGreat book. Very interesting perspective. Cultures around the world should read and reflect upon this book. Sadly I am sure they won't.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. History Covered from a Different AngleBy R. DelPartoRoger G. Kennedy examines the steps that were taken by Thomas Jefferson to secure the Louisiana Territory from Spanish acquisition. MR. JEFFERSON'S LOST CAUSE: LAND; FARMERS; SLAVERY; AND THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE covers the pivotal years of 1802 and 1820 and other years connected to Kennedy's study. His main premise is to prove that if constrictions did not exist for Yeomen and slaves; if Jefferson's personal character; arrogance and pessimism; did not interfere with the decisions he made; concessions could have been made before and after the execution of the Louisiana Purchase that may have prevented the US Civil War and the issue of slavery.MR. JEFFERSON'S LOST CAUSE is a unique examination that Kennedy narrates with extreme detail. But one of the unfortunate aspects of his narration is that some of the passages are so intense with historical data that one loses his point; or forget what the book is about. As Director Emeritus of the National Museum of American History and the National Park Service; Kennedy attempts to creatively intertwine his knowledge and fondness for biological; geological; ecological history; Early American and Roman history as it relates to the activities that occurred with the land. However; they appear out of place and somewhat disconnected to the main subject at hand - Jefferson; the land; slavery; and the Louisiana Purchase. For example; readers may become lost if they do not know about geology; and the different periods that existed; the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods; which he uses as analogies to explain John Marshall's Dartmouth College decision of 1819 and how it ties in with the phases of capitalism and corporate growth as well as the introduction to chapter 13 where he begins his discussion with a short biology lesson about organisms. In addition; this is yet another book where the main character disappears amongst the immense amount of information. Kennedy dedicates a chapter or two on several key contributors to the Louisiana Purchase; Alexander McGillvray and Fulwar Skipwith.So in essence; what can be learned from reading MR. JEFFERSON'S LOST CAUSE? Kennedy emphasizes that Jefferson was the "father of the land;" but did use his experience of Plantation management to the best of his ability to provide balanced relations with the Yeomen. The story and analysis of this historical event was told from a different angle; but may have been enriching if the narrative moved laterally. While reading the book; memories of the past come to mind when I used to have to write and revise papers for my history classes; and had to constantly remind myself what my thesis was. Otherwise; the bibliography is a helpful source to understand the foundation of Kennedy's research.19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating History of the American SouthBy Scott SnyderThis book had strong content and very weird organization.On the plus side: Kennedy puts together a commanding set of facts to show that while Jefferson's words rang strong and true; the man himself was hamstrung by his allegiance to his class and could not affect any change regarding slavery in America.One reviewer called Kennedy's work a Marxist critique of southern history. I would argue precisely the opposite. The "lost cause" of the title was the idea that yeoman farmers; tending their own farms for their own benefit would lead to a strong; engaged and committed citizenry. This was originally a Roman idea shared by men such as Adam Smith; James Oglethorpe; George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. This practice was in place in the Northern colonies and later the Northwest Territory; and led to economic development and economic independence from Great Britain; industrialization; wealthy citizens and a diversified economy.In the South; the plantation system meant large farms run by absentee landlords who exploited and ruined the soil; enslaved and robbed people of self-initiative (those people being the slaves); stifled diversification (all hail King Cotton); discouraged industrialization; and prolonged dependence and subservience to textile manufacturers in Liverpool and Manchester. Since the people actually working the land did not have a stake in it; or in the care of the tools they used; the factors of economic production - capital; land; tools and labor -all were "run into the ground."The lasting effect of the plantation system - low wages; demoralized citizens lacking entrepreneurial spirit; ruined tools; ruined fields; death and suffering - strongly parallel the effects of 60+ years of Communism in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; and before that the effects of British absentee ownership of Ireland. Indeed only in the past couple decades; a full century after the fall of the plantation system; is the South now reviving with manufacturing; entrepreneurship and economic diversification. Post Communist Eastern Europe has strong resemblances to the Reconstruction South.Therefore; if anything; Kennedy's book affirms the social; moral and economic benefits of the Capitalist market system of small time farmers and business owners over the ruin that stems from collectivization of any sort - Communist or Plantation.The rest of the book is a wonderful excursion through the history of the deep South. This is what I enjoyed about the book.On the negative side: the book needs a new title; the current one is misleading. The book is not really about the Louisiana purchase as much as it is about how Jefferson; Madison; Monroe and their cohorts lead the nation down a path to a condition that would only be rectified with much bloodshed in the 1860s.The book needs better organization (this is the worst organized book I've ever encountered).It needs a new appendix. The book mentions Aaron Burr and his doings; trial; conspiracy; sentencing; exile; etc. without provide some sort of appendix to tell us about Aaron Burr. All I know about the man is that he dueled with Alexander Hamilton and won. I think the author presume much to much on the readers part when it comes to Burr. That was troublesome.The matter of how and why the Louisiana Purchase came to be is found in ONE obscure paragraph buried deep in the book: Napoleon's real interest was the income from sugar plantations in Haiti - Louisiana served only as a source of material to operate the plantations in Haiti -- and when Haitian rebels took over (sound familiar?) France was forced out of the sugar business and found a better use for Louisiana: cash it in - cheap.Finally; the book comes together only on the final page when Kennedy sums up Jefferson's accomplishments and failings; especially how his ideas finally came to fruition under Lincoln and in the various Homestead Acts.All in all; despite its numerous faults; I highly recommend this book. It is a very interesting and engrossing history of the US acquisition of Florida; Alabama; Mississippi and Texas; the personalities of Jefferson; Washington; Madison; Monroe; Native American-African American-European and American relations and quite a bit more. Lots of food for thought here. Great book.
