Beyond 1619: The Atlantic Origins of American Slavery

Beyond 1619 offers a fresh perspective on the origins of American slavery by examining the year 1619 in a broader Atlantic and hemispheric context. It highlights the need to consider multiple empires, regions, peoples, and cultures in understanding the rise of racial slavery in the Americas and provides a historical framework for discussions of slavery, racism, antiracism, freedom, and enduring inequalities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Beyond 1619 is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the year 1619 as a pivotal moment in the history of American slavery and the beginnings of the Black experience in what would become the United States. By situating the roots of racial slavery in a broader, comparative context, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex web of factors that contributed to the development of slavery in the Americas.

In recent years, there has been an extensive public dialogue regarding the long shadow of racism in the United States, pushing Americans to confront the insidious history of race-based slavery and its aftermath. 1619 has emerged as a focal point for this dialogue, as it marks the year that the first recorded enslaved persons of African descent arrived in British North America. However, this narrow focus on the U.S. context has inadvertently limited our understanding of slavery, race, and their repercussions.

To address this issue, Beyond 1619 brings together a diverse group of scholars from various fields, including history, sociology, anthropology, and literature, to examine and put into conversation multiple empires, regions, peoples, and cultures. By painting racial slavery's emergence on a hemispheric canvas, the book provides historical context beyond the 1619 moment for discussions of slavery, racism, antiracism, freedom, and lasting inequalities.

One of the key strengths of Beyond 1619 is its ability to showcase the fruitful results when scholars examine and put into conversation multiple empires, regions, peoples, and cultures. The book provides a comprehensive view of the rise of racial slavery in the Americas, highlighting the interconnectedness of different regions and the complex web of factors that contributed to its development. Contributors to the book include John N. Blanton, Jesse Cromwell, Erika Denise Edwards, Rebecca Anne Goetz, Rana Hogarth, Chloe L. Ireton, Marc H. Lerner, Paul J. Polgar, Brett Rushforth, Casey Schmitt, Jenny Shaw, and James Sidbury.

Each contributor brings their unique expertise and perspective to the table, contributing to a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic. The book is organized into four parts, each exploring different aspects of the rise of racial slavery. Part I provides an overview of the historical context, including the development of slavery in Africa, the transatlantic slave trade, and the arrival of enslaved persons in the Americas. Part II explores the social and economic consequences of slavery, including the impact on African societies. Part III examines the political and legal dimensions of slavery, including the resistance and resilience of enslaved peoples. Part IV examines the legacy of slavery, including its impact on contemporary society.

Throughout the book, Beyond 1619 employs a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, cultural analysis, and comparative analysis, to shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of racial slavery. The book also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary scholarship and the need to bridge different fields of study to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

In conclusion, Beyond 1619 is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the year 1619 as a pivotal moment in the history of American slavery and the beginnings of the Black experience in what would become the United States. By situating the roots of racial slavery in a broader, comparative context, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex web of factors that contributed to the development of slavery in the Americas. The book's interdisciplinary approach and rich array of contributions make it an essential read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the history and legacy of racial slavery.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781512825015