American Slavery, American Freedom Book Summary

In 'American Slavery, American Freedom', Edmund S. Morgan explores the paradoxical relationship between slavery and the development of American liberty. He vividly illustrates how the institution of slavery was deeply entwined with the very fabric of American society and its pursuit of freedom. Morgan argues that the founding ideals of the United States were compromised by the existence of slavery, creating a complex legacy that continues to impact the nation. Through compelling historical narratives, he challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of American history. This insightful examination is a crucial reminder of how competing ambitions of liberty and oppression shaped a nation.

By Edmund S. Morgan

Published: 2003

"Slavery and freedom were intertwined, two sides of the same coin in the American experience, challenging our understanding of liberty and the human spirit."

Book Review of American Slavery, American Freedom

"If it is possible to understand the American paradox, the marriage of slavery and freedom, Virginia is surely the place to begin," writes Edmund S. Morgan in American Slavery, American Freedom, a study of the tragic contradiction at the core of America. Morgan finds the key to this central paradox in the people and politics of the state that was both the birthplace of the revolution and the largest slaveholding state in the country. With a new introduction. Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize and the Albert J. Beveridge Award.

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Slavery and freedom were intertwined, two sides of the same coin in the American experience, challenging our understanding of liberty and the human spirit.

American Slavery, American Freedom

By Edmund S. Morgan