Slave Country tells the tragic story of the expansion of slavery in the new United States. In the wake of the American Revolution; slavery gradually disappeared from the northern states and the importation of captive Africans was prohibited. Yet; at the same time; the country's slave population grew; new plantation crops appeared; and several new slave states joined the Union. Adam Rothman explores how slavery flourished in a new nation dedicated to the principle of equality among free men; and reveals the enormous consequences of U.S. expansion into the region that became the Deep South. Rothman maps the combination of transatlantic capitalism and American nationalism that provoked a massive forced migration of slaves into Louisiana; Alabama; and Mississippi. He tells the fascinating story of collaboration and conflict among the diverse European; African; and indigenous peoples who inhabited the Deep South during the Jeffersonian era; and who turned the region into the most dynamic slave system of the Atlantic world. Paying close attention to dramatic episodes of resistance; rebellion; and war; Rothman exposes the terrible violence that haunted the Jeffersonian vision of republican expansion across the American continent. Slave Country combines political; economic; military; and social history in an elegant narrative that illuminates the perilous relation between freedom and slavery in the early United States. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in an honest look at America's troubled past.
#682857 in Books 2003-10-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.40 x .94 x 5.98l; 1.07 #File Name: 0674012348360 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. North American History 101By Arnie Tracey"Slave Patrols" is an outstandingly researched; and well written book; rarely dry.American soil was certainly neither a gift nor a land grant from the original inhabitants. America was seized by extreme violence.Slaves were not puppets. Their labor was extracted by ultra; up close and personal violence.Such violence has to be a 24 hour/day occupation. Therefore; night-patrols are not optional.Ms Hadden does every American a great service by documenting this propensity; this need for never-ending vigilance as a required adjunct to land theft; as well as theft of the fruits of slaves' labor. The latter theft being enabled by a willingness to employ both murder and torture; i.e.: whipping rape.Unfortunately the line from colonial militias and antebellum slave patrols ends at today's police forces.And so it (violence) goes.5 stars. Should be read by all.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ESSENTIALBy CustomerSlave Patrols: Law and Violence in Virginia and the Carolinas by Sally Hadden provided much needed context for the relationship between law enforcement and people of color. Hadden’s book specifically provided historical background for the relationship between African Americans and law enforcement. Although the nature of slave patrols is quite grim; we learn that slave patrols were established by government institutions to enforce codes. These codes also known as slave and black codes; served to control behaviors of minorities. With Hadden’s knowledge we are able to understand law enforcement’s relationship with communities of color in a larger context. We can no longer take instances of racial bias as mutually exclusive. It’s crucial to understand that instances of racial bias from law enforcement has historical significance.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. suggesting that these patrols were the beginning of some of the worst crimes committed against BlacksBy student01The goal of this book is to highlight the importance of pervasive southern slave patrols; another example in history where Whites policed Black bodies. While most readers have heard of slave codes that emerged during slavery throughout the South; rarely is it mentioned that the state was a powerful force in ensuring the adherence to these racist laws and regulations. Hadden expertly details the origins; maintenance; and implications of these groups; suggesting that these patrols were the beginning of some of the worst crimes committed against Blacks; including those perpetrated by vigilantes and the KKK.
