History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2 / Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21851

Title

History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2 / Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Washington Williams chronicles the African American experience from 1800 to 1880, covering the expansion of slavery, the War of 1812, the abolitionist movement, and the Civil War. Written with profound empathy, this volume documents the valor of Black soldiers, the brutality of insurrections, and the struggle for citizenship, aiming to elevate the race's historical standing.

Summary up to 500 words

In the second volume of his comprehensive history, George Washington Williams chronicles the tumultuous era of the African American experience from 1800 to 1880. The narrative opens with the 'Conservative Era,' detailing the complex legal and political struggles regarding the restriction versus extension of slavery. Williams highlights the paradoxical participation of Black troops in the War of 1812 and the service of Black sailors in the Navy, noting that while their valor was recognized in battle, they remained legally classified as chattel property upon peace. The text then shifts to the burgeoning anti-slavery agitation. Williams provides a sober account of the efforts by Quakers to ameliorate the condition of enslaved people and the rise of powerful leaders like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. He extensively covers the Underground Railroad and the legal battles surrounding the *Amistad* captives, who were eventually returned to their native Africa. The volume also addresses the tragic insurrections led by Gabriel Prosser and Nat Turner, as well as the harsh 'Black Laws' enacted in border states that restricted the rights of free Negroes. The narrative culminates in the Civil War, focusing on the enlistment of Black soldiers and their heroic conduct at battles such as Milliken's Bend and Fort Wagner. Williams does not shy away from the tragedy of the Fort Pillow massacre, where Black soldiers were brutally killed. The work concludes with the Reconstruction era, analyzing both its noble intentions and its eventual errors, including the ratification of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Throughout, Williams employs a tone of honest inquiry and deep sorrow, utilizing statistics and personal testimonies to expose the evils of slavery and celebrate the resilience of the Black community. His goal is to lift the Negro race to its proper pedestal in American history, documenting their strides from bondage to citizenship.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History