Slavery, Religion, and Race in Antebellum Missouri: Freedom from Slavery and Freedom from Sin

Missouri's location at the intersection of North, South, and West allows for an examination of regionalism and the role of religion in the antebellum United States. Slavery transformed evangelical Christianity in the South from an influence on eroding slavery into an institution that supported it. African Americans used conjure to gain control over their lives and practical tools, and Christianity provided them with a belief system that affirmed the sinfulness of slavery and confirmed their right to be free.

Format: Hardback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Missouri's strategic location at the crossroads of North, South, and West offers a unique opportunity to explore regionalism within the United States. With its diverse characteristics, Missouri serves as a microcosm of the various regions that makeup the country. Moreover, the state provides a window into the role of religion in the antebellum United States, shedding light on how it shaped the lives of individuals during this period.

One of the most significant transformations that occurred in the South during the antebellum era was the institution of slavery. Prior to the arrival of African slaves, evangelical Christianity had held considerable influence in the region, with some scholars suggesting that it had the potential to erode slavery. However, as slavery became more entrenched, Christianity evolved into a powerful institution that served as a bulwark for slavery.

For African Americans, religion played a crucial role in their cultural resistance against the dehumanization of slavery. They turned to their traditional religion, conjure, to seek control over their own lives and practical tools to navigate the challenges they faced. Conjure was a belief system that incorporated elements of magic, spirituality, and tradition, and it provided African Americans with a sense of empowerment and agency.

Through conjure, African Americans sought to exert control over their own destiny and to find solutions to the everyday issues they encountered. They believed that they could harness the power of spirits and other supernatural forces to achieve their goals and protect themselves from harm. Conjure also served as a means of preserving their cultural heritage and traditions, which were often threatened by the dominant white culture.

In addition to its role in cultural resistance, Christianity also provided African Americans with control over their destiny and a belief system that affirmed the sinfulness of slavery and confirmed that it was their right and their destiny to be free. Many African Americans became Christians as a result of their experiences with slavery, and they saw the religion as a means of overcoming the oppression and discrimination they faced.

Christianity provided African Americans with a sense of hope and a future that was beyond the confines of slavery. It offered them a belief system that affirmed their worth and value as human beings and that promised them a better life in the afterlife. Christianity also provided a community and a network of support that helped them to survive and thrive in the face of adversity.

Despite the challenges and hardships that African Americans faced during the antebellum era, their religious beliefs and practices continued to be a source of strength and resilience. They used their faith to inspire them to fight for their rights and to work towards a better future for themselves and their descendants. Today, the legacy of African American religion and culture in Missouri is a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.

In conclusion, Missouri's location at the intersection of North, South, and West provides a unique opportunity to explore regionalism and the role of religion in the antebellum United States. The state's diverse characteristics and its historical significance make it an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers interested in understanding the complex and multifaceted history of the region. Through its exploration of regionalism and the role of religion, Missouri serves as a reminder of the importance of examining the past to inform the present and to work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666916997