47 pages • 1 hour read
Edmund S. MorganAmerican Slavery, American Freedom: The Ordeal of Colonial Virginia
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1975A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
American Slavery, American Freedom by Edmund S. Morgan explores how America's Founding Fathers, particularly in Virginia, advocated for freedom while owning slaves. Morgan examines the unlikely development of slavery due to the failure to enslave Indigenous populations and indentured servants, analyzing the economic and social transition towards racial slavery. The book, divided into four parts, details the colony's early struggles, development, societal divisions, and eventual embrace of slavery influenced by racism and populist movements. The account highlights the intertwined relationship between freedom and slavery in colonial Virginia, culminating in the insights of Thomas Jefferson. Topics related to slavery, racism, and colonial exploitation are discussed in depth.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Edmund S. Morgan's American Slavery, American Freedom is praised for its thorough research and compelling argument linking the development of American slavery with the creation of American democracy. Critics appreciate its insightful analysis and engaging prose, though some find its thematic focus narrow. Overall, it is considered a significant contribution to historical scholarship.
Who Should Read American Slavery, American Freedom?
A reader who would enjoy American Slavery, American Freedom by Edmund S. Morgan is likely an academic or history enthusiast interested in the intersection of racial and economic developments in Colonial America. Comparable to the audience of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Eric Foner's Reconstruction.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1560L