Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
Pennsylvania contained the largest concentration of early America's abolitionist leaders and organizations, making it a necessary and illustrative stage from which to understand how national ...
More
Pennsylvania contained the largest concentration of early America's abolitionist leaders and organizations, making it a necessary and illustrative stage from which to understand how national conversations about the place of free blacks in early America originated and evolved, and, importantly, the role that colonization—supporting the emigration of free and emancipated blacks to Africa—played in national and international antislavery movements. This book demonstrates that, in Philadelphia at least, the American Colonization Society (ACS) often worked closely with other antislavery groups to further the goals of the abolitionist movement. It brings a much-needed examination of the complexity of the colonization movement by describing in depth the difference between those who supported colonization for political and social reasons and those who supported it for religious and humanitarian reasons. The book puts the black perspective on emigration into the broader picture instead of treating black nationalism as an isolated phenomenon and examines its role in influencing the black abolitionist agenda.Less
Pennsylvania contained the largest concentration of early America's abolitionist leaders and organizations, making it a necessary and illustrative stage from which to understand how national conversations about the place of free blacks in early America originated and evolved, and, importantly, the role that colonization—supporting the emigration of free and emancipated blacks to Africa—played in national and international antislavery movements. This book demonstrates that, in Philadelphia at least, the American Colonization Society (ACS) often worked closely with other antislavery groups to further the goals of the abolitionist movement. It brings a much-needed examination of the complexity of the colonization movement by describing in depth the difference between those who supported colonization for political and social reasons and those who supported it for religious and humanitarian reasons. The book puts the black perspective on emigration into the broader picture instead of treating black nationalism as an isolated phenomenon and examines its role in influencing the black abolitionist agenda.
Ousmane K. Power-Greene
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479823178
- eISBN:
- 9781479876693
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479823178.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
This book tells the story of African Americans' battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS), founded in 1816 with the intention to return free blacks to its colony Liberia. Although ACS ...
More
This book tells the story of African Americans' battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS), founded in 1816 with the intention to return free blacks to its colony Liberia. Although ACS members considered free black colonization in Africa a benevolent enterprise, most black leaders rejected the ACS, fearing that the organization sought forced removal. As the book shows, these African American anticolonizationists did not believe Liberia would ever be a true “black American homeland.” The book draws on newspapers, meeting minutes, and letters to explore the concerted effort on the part of nineteenth-century black activists, community leaders, and spokespersons to challenge the ACS's attempt to make colonization of free blacks federal policy. The ACS insisted the plan embodied empowerment. The United States, they argued, would never accept free blacks as citizens, and the only solution to the status of free blacks was to create an autonomous nation that would fundamentally reject racism at its core. But the activists and reformers on the opposite side believed that the colonization movement was itself deeply racist and in fact one of the greatest obstacles for African Americans to gain citizenship in the United States. The book synthesizes debates about colonization and emigration, situating this complex and enduring issue into an ever broader conversation about nation building and identity formation in the Atlantic world.Less
This book tells the story of African Americans' battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS), founded in 1816 with the intention to return free blacks to its colony Liberia. Although ACS members considered free black colonization in Africa a benevolent enterprise, most black leaders rejected the ACS, fearing that the organization sought forced removal. As the book shows, these African American anticolonizationists did not believe Liberia would ever be a true “black American homeland.” The book draws on newspapers, meeting minutes, and letters to explore the concerted effort on the part of nineteenth-century black activists, community leaders, and spokespersons to challenge the ACS's attempt to make colonization of free blacks federal policy. The ACS insisted the plan embodied empowerment. The United States, they argued, would never accept free blacks as citizens, and the only solution to the status of free blacks was to create an autonomous nation that would fundamentally reject racism at its core. But the activists and reformers on the opposite side believed that the colonization movement was itself deeply racist and in fact one of the greatest obstacles for African Americans to gain citizenship in the United States. The book synthesizes debates about colonization and emigration, situating this complex and enduring issue into an ever broader conversation about nation building and identity formation in the Atlantic world.
Sara Fanning
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780814764930
- eISBN:
- 9780814760086
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814764930.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
Shortly after winning its independence in 1804, Haiti's leaders realized that if their nation was to survive, it needed to build strong diplomatic bonds with other nations. Haiti's first leaders ...
More
Shortly after winning its independence in 1804, Haiti's leaders realized that if their nation was to survive, it needed to build strong diplomatic bonds with other nations. Haiti's first leaders looked especially hard at the United States, which had a sizeable free black population that included vocal champions of black emigration and colonization. In the 1820s, President Jean-Pierre Boyer helped facilitate a migration of thousands of black Americans to Haiti with promises of ample land, rich commercial prospects, and most importantly, a black state. His ideas struck a chord with both blacks and whites in America. Journalists and black community leaders advertised emigration to Haiti as a way for African Americans to resist discrimination and show the world that the black race could be an equal on the world stage, while antislavery whites sought to support a nation founded by liberated slaves. Black and white businessmen were excited by trade potential, and racist whites viewed Haiti as a way to export the race problem that plagued America. By the end of the decade, black Americans migration to Haiti began to ebb as emigrants realized that the Caribbean republic wasn't the black Eden they'd anticipated. This book documents the rise and fall of the campaign for black emigration to Haiti, drawing on a variety of archival sources to share the rich voices of the emigrants themselves. Using letters, diary accounts, travelers' reports, newspaper articles, and American, British, and French consulate records, this text profiles the emigrants and analyzes the diverse motivations that fueled this unique early moment in both American and Haitian history.Less
Shortly after winning its independence in 1804, Haiti's leaders realized that if their nation was to survive, it needed to build strong diplomatic bonds with other nations. Haiti's first leaders looked especially hard at the United States, which had a sizeable free black population that included vocal champions of black emigration and colonization. In the 1820s, President Jean-Pierre Boyer helped facilitate a migration of thousands of black Americans to Haiti with promises of ample land, rich commercial prospects, and most importantly, a black state. His ideas struck a chord with both blacks and whites in America. Journalists and black community leaders advertised emigration to Haiti as a way for African Americans to resist discrimination and show the world that the black race could be an equal on the world stage, while antislavery whites sought to support a nation founded by liberated slaves. Black and white businessmen were excited by trade potential, and racist whites viewed Haiti as a way to export the race problem that plagued America. By the end of the decade, black Americans migration to Haiti began to ebb as emigrants realized that the Caribbean republic wasn't the black Eden they'd anticipated. This book documents the rise and fall of the campaign for black emigration to Haiti, drawing on a variety of archival sources to share the rich voices of the emigrants themselves. Using letters, diary accounts, travelers' reports, newspaper articles, and American, British, and French consulate records, this text profiles the emigrants and analyzes the diverse motivations that fueled this unique early moment in both American and Haitian history.
Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.003.0010
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This introductory chapter provides an overview of the book's main themes. This book aims to clarify the distinctions between political antislavery and the social movement known as abolition. It shows ...
More
This introductory chapter provides an overview of the book's main themes. This book aims to clarify the distinctions between political antislavery and the social movement known as abolition. It shows how colonization as a movement relied on both of these currents in order to thrive in Pennsylvania. In making the claim that colonization was clearly an antislavery movement, it addresses a debate that arose within decades of the American Colonization Society's founding in 1817. The book also shows exactly how resettlement—the desire to transport free blacks from the United States to Africa—fit into Pennsylvania antislavery. It is the first to draw clear connections between the Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS), the Pennsylvania Colonization Society (PCS), and the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society (PASS).Less
This introductory chapter provides an overview of the book's main themes. This book aims to clarify the distinctions between political antislavery and the social movement known as abolition. It shows how colonization as a movement relied on both of these currents in order to thrive in Pennsylvania. In making the claim that colonization was clearly an antislavery movement, it addresses a debate that arose within decades of the American Colonization Society's founding in 1817. The book also shows exactly how resettlement—the desire to transport free blacks from the United States to Africa—fit into Pennsylvania antislavery. It is the first to draw clear connections between the Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS), the Pennsylvania Colonization Society (PCS), and the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society (PASS).
Ousmane K. Power-Greene
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479823178
- eISBN:
- 9781479876693
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479823178.003.0001
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
This book explores African Americans' organized resistance to colonization, and specifically their battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS) and those who believed that African ...
More
This book explores African Americans' organized resistance to colonization, and specifically their battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS) and those who believed that African colonization was the best way to “deal” with free blacks who lived outside the slave South. Focusing on free black struggle against colonization in Britain, Africa, Haiti, and Canada, the book examines the efforts of activists and reformers who opposed the colonization movement because they saw it as a major obstacle to African Americans' efforts to gain citizenship in the United States. It considers the participation of many whites and free blacks in the post-1830 abolition movement and their denunciation of the ACS and settlement in Liberia for fear that colonization to Liberia would become national policy. It also discusses emigrationism as an ideology of empowerment for African Americans who were fighting racism. Finally, it explains how anticolonization discourse and activism reaffirmed African Americans' faith in republican and democratic ideals.Less
This book explores African Americans' organized resistance to colonization, and specifically their battle against the American Colonization Society (ACS) and those who believed that African colonization was the best way to “deal” with free blacks who lived outside the slave South. Focusing on free black struggle against colonization in Britain, Africa, Haiti, and Canada, the book examines the efforts of activists and reformers who opposed the colonization movement because they saw it as a major obstacle to African Americans' efforts to gain citizenship in the United States. It considers the participation of many whites and free blacks in the post-1830 abolition movement and their denunciation of the ACS and settlement in Liberia for fear that colonization to Liberia would become national policy. It also discusses emigrationism as an ideology of empowerment for African Americans who were fighting racism. Finally, it explains how anticolonization discourse and activism reaffirmed African Americans' faith in republican and democratic ideals.
Ousmane K. Power-Greene
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479823178
- eISBN:
- 9781479876693
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479823178.003.0005
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
This chapter examines the rebirth of the American Colonization Society (ACS) and the colonization movement in America during the period 1840–1854. As the 1850s approached, colonization gathered ...
More
This chapter examines the rebirth of the American Colonization Society (ACS) and the colonization movement in America during the period 1840–1854. As the 1850s approached, colonization gathered strength and whites united across class lines in support of the ACS project, turning colonizationism into a moderate position in a nation divided over slavery. The ACS gained new adherents in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, thus giving the organization a new lease of life. This chapter considers how colonization ideology was utilized by pro-colonization forces, particularly in the Midwest and West, to undermine the ability of African Americans to gain citizenship status in the newly formed states. It also shows how anticolonization emerged as a crucial factor in free blacks' struggle against white racist policy.Less
This chapter examines the rebirth of the American Colonization Society (ACS) and the colonization movement in America during the period 1840–1854. As the 1850s approached, colonization gathered strength and whites united across class lines in support of the ACS project, turning colonizationism into a moderate position in a nation divided over slavery. The ACS gained new adherents in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, thus giving the organization a new lease of life. This chapter considers how colonization ideology was utilized by pro-colonization forces, particularly in the Midwest and West, to undermine the ability of African Americans to gain citizenship status in the newly formed states. It also shows how anticolonization emerged as a crucial factor in free blacks' struggle against white racist policy.
Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.003.0002
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This chapter examines the growth of the colonization movement. The American Colonization Society (ACS) initially received a lukewarm reception in Pennsylvania, but within a decade of its founding in ...
More
This chapter examines the growth of the colonization movement. The American Colonization Society (ACS) initially received a lukewarm reception in Pennsylvania, but within a decade of its founding in 1817, national ACS leaders were desperately seeking the support of the middle states and began to agitate in earnest for converts to the cause. The chapter shows how, through an effective marketing plan, the organization tapped into Pennsylvanians' existing fears of retribution and racial mixing, while emphasizing the humanitarian aspects of colonization in an all-out push to win support in Pennsylvania. By the end of the 1820s the ACS had gained many important members.Less
This chapter examines the growth of the colonization movement. The American Colonization Society (ACS) initially received a lukewarm reception in Pennsylvania, but within a decade of its founding in 1817, national ACS leaders were desperately seeking the support of the middle states and began to agitate in earnest for converts to the cause. The chapter shows how, through an effective marketing plan, the organization tapped into Pennsylvanians' existing fears of retribution and racial mixing, while emphasizing the humanitarian aspects of colonization in an all-out push to win support in Pennsylvania. By the end of the 1820s the ACS had gained many important members.
Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This chapter tells the story of former Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) member Mathew Carey. Carey was a Philadelphia printer and Catholic exile from Ireland who opposed bondage and oppression of ...
More
This chapter tells the story of former Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) member Mathew Carey. Carey was a Philadelphia printer and Catholic exile from Ireland who opposed bondage and oppression of any class of people. At the same time, however, he was an ardent supporter of the political aspects of colonization and was enticed by the movement's promise that it would be a modernizing force for the young republic. The story of his life and of his work for the American Colonization Society (ACS) illustrates the political side of the movement. For Carey colonization was a way to ride the nation of an outdated system of production. It would also encourage cultural uniformity and solidify the bonds of interest between farmers, merchants, and manufacturers. His writings offer a clear picture of the America he envisioned and the role of colonization in it.Less
This chapter tells the story of former Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) member Mathew Carey. Carey was a Philadelphia printer and Catholic exile from Ireland who opposed bondage and oppression of any class of people. At the same time, however, he was an ardent supporter of the political aspects of colonization and was enticed by the movement's promise that it would be a modernizing force for the young republic. The story of his life and of his work for the American Colonization Society (ACS) illustrates the political side of the movement. For Carey colonization was a way to ride the nation of an outdated system of production. It would also encourage cultural uniformity and solidify the bonds of interest between farmers, merchants, and manufacturers. His writings offer a clear picture of the America he envisioned and the role of colonization in it.
Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This chapter tells the story of Elliott Cresson, a staunch proponent of the colonization movement. Cresson began working for the American Colonization Society (ACS) diligently in 1829 and continued ...
More
This chapter tells the story of Elliott Cresson, a staunch proponent of the colonization movement. Cresson began working for the American Colonization Society (ACS) diligently in 1829 and continued his efforts until he died in 1854, but the high point of his involvement came in the 1830s. He joined the movement because he saw the scheme as the only realistic way to end slavery in the United States. The image of fellow human beings waiting in chains and groaning under the lash galvanized Cresson and his colleagues into action, and this group of philanthropists became Pennsylvania's most diehard colonizationists. Thanks to their efforts the ACS went from sending mostly free blacks to Liberia to sending mainly manumitted slaves. This change was due largely to Cresson's determination that colonization was founded on the humanitarian principles of antislavery and black uplift.Less
This chapter tells the story of Elliott Cresson, a staunch proponent of the colonization movement. Cresson began working for the American Colonization Society (ACS) diligently in 1829 and continued his efforts until he died in 1854, but the high point of his involvement came in the 1830s. He joined the movement because he saw the scheme as the only realistic way to end slavery in the United States. The image of fellow human beings waiting in chains and groaning under the lash galvanized Cresson and his colleagues into action, and this group of philanthropists became Pennsylvania's most diehard colonizationists. Thanks to their efforts the ACS went from sending mostly free blacks to Liberia to sending mainly manumitted slaves. This change was due largely to Cresson's determination that colonization was founded on the humanitarian principles of antislavery and black uplift.
Beverly C. Tomek
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814783481
- eISBN:
- 9780814784433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814783481.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This chapter examines the contributions of Philadelphia's Benjamin Coates, a young white Quaker who shared most of Elliott Cresson's vision and played an important role in shifting Pennsylvania ...
More
This chapter examines the contributions of Philadelphia's Benjamin Coates, a young white Quaker who shared most of Elliott Cresson's vision and played an important role in shifting Pennsylvania colonization's focus from freeing slaves to uplifting the black race through the Free Produce movement. He also provided an important bridge between gradualism and colonization because he remained an important figure in both the Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) and the Pennsylvania Colonization Society (PCS), fighting for black education and uplift through each organization. He also brought an economic agenda into the colonization movement, combining a dream of cotton cultivation in Africa with Cresson's emphasis on spreading Christianity.Less
This chapter examines the contributions of Philadelphia's Benjamin Coates, a young white Quaker who shared most of Elliott Cresson's vision and played an important role in shifting Pennsylvania colonization's focus from freeing slaves to uplifting the black race through the Free Produce movement. He also provided an important bridge between gradualism and colonization because he remained an important figure in both the Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) and the Pennsylvania Colonization Society (PCS), fighting for black education and uplift through each organization. He also brought an economic agenda into the colonization movement, combining a dream of cotton cultivation in Africa with Cresson's emphasis on spreading Christianity.
