The Journal of Negro History, Volume 1, January 1916

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

13642

Title

The Journal of Negro History, Volume 1, January 1916

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This seminal 1916 journal, edited by Carter G. Woodson, chronicles the history of African Americans in Cincinnati prior to the Civil War and reviews key scholarly works on slavery, Reconstruction, and Indigenous history.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in January 1916, the first volume of *The Journal of Negro History*, edited by Carter G. Woodson, offers a profound examination of Black life and intellectual contributions during the antebellum and Reconstruction eras. The volume opens with Woodson's seminal essay, "The Negroes of Cincinnati Prior to the Civil War," which chronicles the trajectory of the Black community in Ohio from 1800 to 1861. Initially tolerated as a negligible presence, the Cincinnati population faced escalating persecution beginning in 1826 due to Southern pressure and anti-immigration sentiment. This hostility manifested through restrictive "Black Laws" that barred free people of color from voting, serving on juries, or attending public schools, alongside severe economic barriers that forced many into menial drudgery or migration. A pivotal moment occurred during the violent riots of 1829, which drove approximately a thousand residents to Canada West, where they established the settlement known as Wilberforce. Despite these hardships, the narrative highlights the community's resilience through self-established schools, churches, and skilled trades. The second half of the volume features comprehensive book reviews covering diverse historical topics. Annie Heloise Abel presents an analysis of slaveholding Indians during the Civil War, revealing their strategic importance to both the Union and Confederacy. James Z. George provides a political history of slavery from 1619 to Reconstruction, arguing that sectional conflict stemmed largely from efforts to maintain a balance of power between North and South rather than simple hostility toward Black people. Additionally, Floyd Barzilia Clark offers a legal treatise on Justice John Marshall Harlan's constitutional doctrines, particularly his dissents regarding the Equal Protection Clause and the rights of states. Finally, C. Mildred Thompson presents a social, economic, and political study of Reconstruction in Georgia, moving beyond controversial justifications to address the full scope of labor, education, and justice during that turbulent period. Collectively, these pieces offer a comprehensive look at the struggle for freedom, the complexities of sectional conflict, and the vital intellectual contributions of Black scholars who sought to document their history against a backdrop of systemic oppression.

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Categories

• History