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Defending Slavery: Proslavery Thought in the Old South: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Cultural Editions Series) First Edition Edition

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4.4 out of 5 stars 15 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0312133276
ISBN-10: 0312133278
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Product Details

  • Series: Bedford Cultural Editions Series
  • Paperback: 228 pages
  • Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; First Edition edition (March 5, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312133278
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312133276
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA Glimpse at a Strange, Frightening World
By Kerry Walters VINE VOICE on December 16, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This collection of mid-nineteenth century writings defending American slavery is excellent in both selection and editing. Nearly all of the writings excerpted are either out of print or available only in terribly expensive editions. (The single exception is George Fitzhugh's Cannibals All!, edited by C. Vann Woodward. Woodward's preface is well worth reading.)

Included in this collection are Vice President of the Confederacy Alexander Stephens' "cornerstone speech," in which he categorically declares that the Confederacy is built on the assumption that blacks are racially inferior to whites and ordained for slavery; James Henry Hammond's famous 1858 "cotton is king" speech in which he insists that the southern states are economically independent of their slavery-disapproving neighbors and refers to black slaves as the "mudsill" or inferior foundation (when compared to the "marble" of whites) of society; several "Christian" defenses of slavery, including Thornton Stringfellow's notorious affirmation, which he declares "no man denies," that "Jesus Christ has not abolished slavery by a prohibitory command; ...and has introduced no new moral principle which can work its destruction"; and several documents, including the above-mentioned Fitzhugh's, which purport to prove that blacks are by nature stupid, criminal, lazy, and disease-prone.

Reading these documents is an uncanny experience. On the one hand, they're laughable in both their outrageous racist claims as well as their cultural blindspots. (Stephens, for example, insists that blacks are ordained by God to be slaves, and in the very next paragraph insists that the Confederacy is characterized by its high moral character.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsSuccessful Source Book
By Barrie W. Bracken on May 19, 2007
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Whenever a serious student of history, political science or the law sees a book by Professor Paul Finkelman he is confident it is worth reading and having as a prized possession in his or her library. Paul Finkelman is one of our best illuminators of the American Constitution and this is an invaluable resource for the researcher.
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4.0 out of 5 starsIn light of the recent revelations in poor and inappropriate management of race relations around the country ...
By Alice on April 19, 2015
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In light of the recent revelations in poor and inappropriate management of race relations around the country I was seeking information on the historical defense of such police and judicial action. This book provides a thoughtful selection from historical sources including actual documents.
Subsections include arguments based on religion and on the law, The appendices provides a chronology in the United States from 1619 to 1870.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn important look at an important subject
By JohnCiccone on November 23, 2013
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I thought this book was excellent. Slavery, despite its abolition a century and a half ago, and its legacy still have a powerful influence in American life. Particlarly interesting was Thomas Jefferson's contribution to the salvery's justification through his now infamous Notes on Virginia. A good read and important historical background.
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4.0 out of 5 starsNot what you think
By Joseph A. Truglio on March 5, 2013
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This is not a modern defense of slavery but rather a look back on what the people of that era thought.
Very interesting how they justified the institution of slavery. All the defenses are from prominent southerners.,
It is always wise to read what the 'other side' thought so one can form an educated opinion
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery informative
By Emily17 on March 22, 2013
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Very informative book. A great reading that makes you think about what exactly you are reading. Full of useful and thought provoking information.
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4.0 out of 5 starsGood book
By Chaise Rogers on August 23, 2015
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Ordered for a college class. Good book and easy read.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBelong in every library
By Abeni on January 17, 2016
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Belong in every library
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