Focus: Du Bois analyzes the period from 1638 to 1870, delving into the rise and eventual suppression of the slave trade. He argues that:
- Moral arguments: Abolitionist sentiments, fueled by Enlightenment ideals and religious critiques of slavery, gradually gained traction.
- Economic factors: Southern dependence on the slave trade waned as cotton production shifted from the Upper to the Lower South, making other labor sources more attractive.
- Political shifts: The nascent American nation's ideological conflicts, culminating in the Civil War, ultimately led to the abolishment of slavery and the trade that sustained it.
Unique Perspectives:
- Black agency: Du Bois emphasizes the role of enslaved and free Black people in resisting and actively fighting against slavery, highlighting their agency and contributions to the abolitionist movement.
- Critique of American hypocrisy: He exposes the moral contradictions inherent in a nation founded on ideals of freedom while perpetuating slavery, challenging the prevailing narrative of the founding fathers as solely advocates for liberty.
Sign
- Seminal work: "The Suppression..." is considered a foundational text in African American history and slavery studies, influencing generations of scholars and activists.
- Challenging narrative: Du Bois's nuanced analysis offers a critical perspective on American history, exposing the complexities and moral struggles underlying the abolishment of the slave
