Facts on File Slavery in the United States (Issues and Controversies in American History)

Often called America's "original sin," slavery is arguably the greatest stain on the nation's history. From their introduction in 17th-century Virginia to their emancipation in 1865, unfree African and African-American laborers contributed to the growth and development of the country. Despite its pervasiveness, slavery differed from region to region and era to era, and, in spite of the horrors of the institution, enslaved people carved out lives and created unique cultures and distinct traditions that enabled their survival. The cultural residue of slavery remains with us today in the modern United States, as Americans continue to struggle with issues of race and race relations born out of the era of bondage.Slavery in the United States examines numerous controversies related to the history of slavery, including slavery and the American Revolution, the Constitution and Bible as pro- or antislavery documents, the transatlantic slave trade, colonization of free blacks, abolition, slave resistance and uprisings, slavery and western expansion, and whether escaping slaves should be accepted by Union forces during the Civil War. This volume answers any question high school and college students may have on the conflicts surrounding slavery in this country and how they were resolved. From the Back Cover These brand-new volumes answer any questions high school and college students may have on debates in this country and how they were resolved. Designed to spark discussion, these new resources are essential for anyone interested in these topics and how they have affected America.Each volume features black-and-white illustrations, maps, chronologies, primary sources, and much more to get students interested in these fascinating topics.The new Issues and Controversies in American History series focuses on the conflicts and questions Americans have confronted and how they were eventually resolved. Each volume focuses on a single topic and includes 1012 stand-alone chapters on specific controversies. Each chapter opens with a highlight box stating the issue and describing the conflict, followed by a narrative essay providing historical background. An exposition of the two competing sides is also included, with each side supported by primary sources (610 per chapter). The final outcome is also examined, and a counterfactual "what if" section suggests what could have happened had Americans chosen differently. Designed to foster debate and spark discussion, this series shows students that history is not inevitable but based on the actions and decisions that people make.