{"product_id":"i-freed-myself-african-american-self-emancipation-in-the-civil-war-era-paperback-9781107602496","title":"I Freed Myself; African American Self-Emancipation in the Civil War Era (Paperback \/ softback) 9781107602496","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eI Freed Myself\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eAfrican American Self-Emancipation in the Civil War Era\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis book examines the many ways in which African Americans made the Civil War about ending slavery.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eDavid Williams (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781107602496, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 21 April 2014\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e275 pages, 24 b\/w illus.\u003cbr\u003e22.8 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e'… Williams has provided a potent readable account replete with African American voices: one that reveals their central role in ending slavery and expanding the boundaries of freedom.' Robert Colby, North Carolina Historical Review\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eFor a century and a half, Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation has been the dominant narrative of African American freedom in the Civil War era. However, David Williams suggests that this portrayal marginalizes the role that African American slaves played in freeing themselves. At the Civil War's outset, Lincoln made clear his intent was to save the Union rather than free slaves - despite his personal distaste for slavery, he claimed no authority to interfere with the institution. By the second year of the war, though, when the Union army was in desperate need of black support, former slaves who escaped to Union lines struck a bargain: they would fight for the Union only if they were granted their freedom. Williams importantly demonstrates that freedom was not simply the absence of slavery but rather a dynamic process enacted by self-emancipated African American refugees, which compelled Lincoln to modify his war aims and place black freedom at the center of his wartime policies.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction: following the footsteps of slaves\u003cbr\u003e 1. 'Yes, we all shall be free': pressing the nation toward freedom\u003cbr\u003e 2. 'Shedding the first blood': forcing a war for freedom\u003cbr\u003e 3. 'Ready to die for liberty': expanding the boundaries of freedom\u003cbr\u003e 4. 'Full equality before the law': claiming the rights of freedom\u003cbr\u003e 5. 'All we ask is justice': continuing struggles for freedom.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Slavery \u0026amp; abolition of slavery [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Slavery \u0026amp; abolition of slavery\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Slavery%20\u0026amp;%20abolition%20of%20slavery%20%5BHBTS%5D%22\"\u003eHBTS\u003c\/a\u003e], Early modern history: c 1450\/1500 to c 1700 [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Early modern history: c 1450\/1500 to c 1700\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Early%20modern%20history:%20c%201450\/1500%20to%20c%201700%20%5BHBLH%5D%22\"\u003eHBLH\u003c\/a\u003e], History of the Americas [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of the Americas\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20the%20Americas%20%5BHBJK%5D%22\"\u003eHBJK\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45912975933720,"sku":"9781107602496","price":21.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781107602496i.jpg?v=1696766548","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/i-freed-myself-african-american-self-emancipation-in-the-civil-war-era-paperback-9781107602496","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}