Nothing More than Freedom: The Failure of Abolition in American Law

The book "Nothing More than Freedom" explores the long and complex legal history of Black freedom in the United States, from the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 until the end of Reconstruction in 1877. It highlights the 700 lawsuits associated with the struggle for Black freedom and equal citizenship, which triggered debates about racial identity, civil rights, and national belonging. The verdicts in these cases established that slavery remained actionable in American law well after its ostensible demise, undermining ongoing efforts for abolition and equality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Nothing More than Freedom delves into the intricate and protracted legal legacy of Black freedom in the United States. Spanning from the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 until the conclusion of Reconstruction in 1877, supreme courts in former slave states adjudicated approximately 700 legal disputes related to the quest for Black liberation and equal citizenship. This extensive litigation, predominantly conducted through private law, raised profound questions about American liberty and reevaluated the nation's legal and political framework in the aftermath of the Civil War. The judicial rulings established the parameters for discussions on racial identity, civil rights, and national belonging, and firmly established that slavery, both as a legal institution and a social practice, continued to have legal standing in American law long after it was purportedly abolished. The outcomes of these cases significantly impacted ongoing efforts for abolition and the pursuit of equality. Insightful and compelling, this work constitutes a significant contribution to the history of post-Civil War law.

ISBN-13: 9781009219198