Remaking the Republic: Black Politics and the Creation of American Citizenship

Citizenship in the nineteenth-century United States was a complex and evolving concept,with Black people playing a crucial role in shaping its definition. Christopher James Bonner's book "Remaking the Republic" explores how African Americans used newspapers, public gatherings, and conventions to argue for their rights and create a sense of belonging in the nation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Citizenship in the nineteenth-century United States was a complex and ever-evolving concept, lacking precise definition in the Constitution. This ambiguity left lawmakers, citizens, and legal scholars to grapple with fundamental questions regarding the criteria for citizenship, the pathways to acquiring it, and the specific privileges it afforded. Even as late as 1862, U.S. Attorney General Edward Bates noted that citizenship was still widely misunderstood and subject to debate and speculation, mirroring its state at the founding of the Government.

This ambiguity had a particularly detrimental impact on Black people, who sought to assert their nominal freedom and gain specific rights. By claiming citizenship in their demands, Black individuals played a pivotal role in shaping the very definition of American citizenship. Christopher James Bonner argues that their efforts to assert their rights were central to the creation of the concept of American citizenship itself.

In the decades preceding and following Bates's lament, free African Americans utilized various platforms, including newspapers, public gatherings, and conventions, to articulate their perspectives on citizenship. They argued about who should be considered a citizen, the protections and obligations that came with citizenship, and the terms of belonging within the nation. These discussions were crucial in the long and contentious process of determining who belonged in the United States and the rights and responsibilities that accompanied that membership.

Remaking the Republic: African Americans and the Making of American Citizenship delves into the diverse ways African Americans from various social backgrounds in the North sought to define and assert their citizenship rights throughout the nineteenth century. By examining a range of sources, including newspapers, state and national conventions, public protest meetings, legal cases, and fugitive slave rescues, Bonner uncovers a vibrant and spirited debate about rights and belonging among African Americans. The stakes of this debate were high, as it could determine their place in U.S. society and shape the terms of citizenship for all Americans.

Through their activism and advocacy, Black individuals contributed to the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in the United States. Their efforts to claim citizenship and assert their rights laid the foundation for the broader African American community and paved the way for subsequent generations to fight for their rights and dignity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781512824735