Title
The Forgotten Fifth: African Americans in the Age of Revolution (The Nathan I. Huggins Lectures),Used
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As the United States gained independence, a full fifth of the country's population was African American. The experiences of these men and women have been largely ignored in the accounts of the colonies' glorious quest for freedom. In this compact volume, Gary B. Nash reorients our understanding of early America, and reveals the perilous choices of the founding fathers that shaped the nation's future.Nash tells of revolutionary fervor arousing a struggle for freedom that spiraled into the largest slave rebellion in American history, as blacks fled servitude to fight for the British, who promised freedom in exchange for military service. The Revolutionary Army never matched the British offer, and most histories of the period have ignored this remarkable story. The conventional wisdom says that abolition was impossible in the fragile new republic. Nash, however, argues that an unusual convergence of factors immediately after the war created a unique opportunity to dismantle slavery. The founding fathers' failure to commit to freedom led to the waning of abolitionism just as it had reached its peak. In the opening decades of the nineteenth century, as Nash demonstrates, their decision enabled the ideology of white supremacy to take root, and with it the beginnings of an irreparable national fissure. The moral failure of the Revolution was paid for in the 1860s with the lives of the 600,000 Americans killed in the Civil War.The Forgotten Fifth is a powerful story of the nation's multiple, and painful, paths to freedom.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'The Forgotten Fifth'? A: 'The Forgotten Fifth' explores the experiences of African Americans during the Revolutionary era, focusing on their struggle for freedom and the impact of their participation in the fight for independence.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Gary B. Nash, a historian known for his work on early American history and social issues.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'The Forgotten Fifth' is available in a hardcover binding, providing durability and a quality feel.
- Q: When was 'The Forgotten Fifth' published? A: This book was published on February 28, 2006.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is in new condition, ensuring that it is free from wear and defects.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Forgotten Fifth' have? A: The book contains a total of 235 pages.
- Q: Is there any specific edition of the book? A: 'The Forgotten Fifth' is a first edition, which may be of interest to collectors.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: The book is categorized under 'Revolution & Founding', making it suitable for readers interested in American history.
- Q: What is the significance of the book's title? A: The title 'The Forgotten Fifth' refers to the one-fifth of the American population during the Revolutionary period that was African American, highlighting their overlooked contributions and struggles.
- Q: What themes are discussed in the book? A: The book discusses themes of freedom, slavery, revolutionary fervor, and the moral implications of the founding fathers' decisions regarding race and equality.