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."
"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
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Edmund S. Morgan (1916-2013) was a distinguished American historian, renowned for his influential scholarship on early American history and constitutional development. He is best known for his notable works, including 'American Slavery, American Freedom' and 'The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89', which explore the complex interplay between liberty and slavery in the founding of the United States. Morgan's writing is characterized by its clarity and rigor, skillfully blending narrative and analysis to engage both scholarly and general audiences. His contributions have significantly shaped the understanding of America's historical landscape, earning him numerous accolades throughout his academic career.
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