For these practical reasons, the planters power over his slaves was far from absolute. The authors purpose in writing this book was to present a different prespective of history that had previously been unavailable. This volume deserves the attention of economic historians. Taking into account the major recent studies, this volume presents an updated analysis of the life of the black slavehis african heritage, culture, family, acculturation, behavior, religion, and personality. Blassingame uses literary artifacts, such as slave narratives, autobiographies, rhetorical writings, and historical data to relay a story of enterprise and human degradation. It was one of the first history books that offers an interpretation of the history of slavery using mostly sources written by slaves. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Plantation life in the antebellum south 2 by blassingame, john w.
They lived in constant fear of being sold in the internal slave trade. Blassingame was born in covington, georgia, in 1940. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. John w blassingame this volume is one of the first historical studies of.
The book centers on the argument that historians have always neglected and never have they steadily investigated the life occurrences of the american slaves. Russell wigginton, university of illinois this is probably the best introduction to american slavery available, perfectly suited to undergraduates, and indispensable to anyone interested in the subject. Published by oxford university press, new york 1979. This is one of the watershed works concerning slavery in the us one of the first th taking into account the major recent studies, this volume presents an updated analysis of the life.
American counterpoint is the work of a distinguished white history professor at yale, who is now over sixty years of ageand who was born in arkansas. Plantation life in the antebellum south provides a unique perspective of the cultural and personal development of the africanamerican slave on plantations during the. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. This book was the first time that any historian has written according to the slaves perspective rather than the slave owners.
Plantation life in the antebellum south revised and enlarged edition blassingame, john w. Rent the slave community plantation life in the antebellum south 2nd edition 9780195025637 and save up to 80% on textbook rentals and 90% on used textbooks. Russell wigginton, university of illinois this is probably the best introduction to american slavery available, perfectly suited to undergraduates, and indispensable to anyone interested in the. The slave community plantation life in the antebellum south. Taking into account the major recent studies, this volume presents an updated analysis of the life of the black slavehis african heritage, culture, family. While the subtitle indicates that the book focuses on plantation slavery a plantation being defined as a unit with twenty or more slaves, the generalizations seem intended to apply to the total slave community. Blassingame, 9780195025637, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. This impacted the psychological health of the slaves. Published in 1972, it is one of the first historical studies of slavery in the united states to be presented from the perspective of the enslaved.
Examines black precivil war culture and the slave family, detailing sexual attitudes, courtship practices and wedding ceremonies, childrearing, familial roles, language, and discipline from inside the book. Slaves were bought in the upper south and sold to the deep south. Reviews has excellent chapters to use regarding slave culture and community. The book the slave community, written by american historian john w. I saw this book in the movie antwone fisher starring denzel washington and had to get. John w blassingame examines black precivil war culture and the slave family, detailing sexual attitudes, courtship practices and wedding ceremonies, childrearing, familial roles, language, and discipline. This book analyzes the experience of slaves in the south during misjudgement and confusion. Examines black precivil war culture and the slave family, deta. Blassingame, 1980, oxford university press edition, in english revised and enlarged ed. A lot of attention made by scholars looking into the stereotypes of slaves has been made primarily on the idea of nat and sambo. The book contradicted others who suggested that african american slaves were in largepart submissive. This book was the first time that any historian has written according to the slaves perspective rather than the slave.
The slave community, originally published in 1972, represents serious research documenting slave life. We were introduced to jack, as well, so why is it that not as much attention is made on jack. Books, images, historic newspapers, maps, archives and more. Plantation life in the antebellum south, author john blassingames theme, focused on the history of african slave experience throughout the american south. Blassingame is the first book about slavery written by a historian in the viewpoint of slaves rather than slave owners. Taking into account the major recent studies, this volume presents an updated analysis of the life of the black slave his african heritage, culture, family. Important and useful as it is, the slave community is a disappointing book. Chapters 34 cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. Plantation life in the antebellum south has 2 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Plantation life in the antebellum south by blassingame, john w abebooks.
As a slave of captain anthony and colonel lloyd, douglass survives on meager rations and is often cold. Taking into account the major recent studies, this volume presents an updated analysis of the life of the black slave his african heritage, culture, family, acculturation, behavior, religion, and personality. Examines black precivil war culture and the slave family, detailing sexual attitudes, courtship practices and wedding ceremonies, childrearing, familial roles, language, and discipline. A year later john blassingamealso a yale faculty historian emerges with his study, the slave community. He witnesses brutal beatings and the murder of a slave, which goes unnoticed by the law or the community at large. The 1979 edition added data on african impacts on american culture and the influence of southern churches, which blassingame called the key institution to an understanding of antebellum society. The slave community is a qualitative study of slavery and the intimate life of the slave. After 1808, the slave trade was no longer legal, but there was still a need for slaves. Has excellent chapters to use regarding slave culture and community. The scenes she describes of children being wrenched from their mothers arms and sold to new masters must have a powerful impact on her, because when she becomes a mother she does everything in her power to save her children from a similar fate.
Indeed one of the striking things about the book is the way in which it demonstrates how warfare among both european nations and african societies affected the. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Blassingame joined the faculty of yale university in 1970, where he taught in the african american studies, history and african departments. Throughout the next several chapters, douglass describes the conditions in which he and other slaves live. There were numerous autobiographies written in the 19th century by runaway slaves, and these are what the slave community is based on. Plantation life in the antebellum south and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Start studying blassingame the slave community chapter 1.
The slave community is one of blessingames more recognized books that he has written. After much research, the author said in the preface that most historians focused more on the planter instead of the slave. Study 11 terms blassingame the slave community chapter. This wellresearched volume documents all aspects of life for the plantation slave before the civil war.
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