African American History: From the African Coast to the Civil War

Overview

Relive the astonishing journey of African Americans, from the dehumanizing experience of slavery to the remarkable chronicle of their endurance, resistance, and passionate battle for liberty and justice. This course examines the legacy of slavery and the struggle for fundamental rights.

Course Details

In this 24-lecture series, explore the colonial and antebellum eras of African American history. Key topics covered include:

• The brutality of slave trading and the roots of slavery in colonial society.
• The endurance of enslaved African Americans and their efforts to carve out meaningful lives.
• Armed rebellions and “freedom suits” fought by enslaved people.
• The aftermath of emancipation in the North and the flourishing of African American communities.
• Prominent African American abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth.
• The essential role of Black soldiers in the Civil War and the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Video Lessons

1. The Origins of African Americans (34 min)

• Overview of West African civilizations before European contact.

1. Europe’s Expansion in the Atlantic World (29 min)

• Exploration into European exploration and its impact on the slave trade.

1. The Transatlantic Trade in Humans (28 min)

• The development of the human trafficking system and its effects on Africa.

1. Enslavement from Capture to Sale (26 min)

• Harrowing accounts of the kidnapping and sale of Africans.

1. The Middle Passage (33 min)

• The brutal sea journey of African captives to the Americas.

1. Slavery Takes Root (32 min)

• The establishment of slavery within the British colonies.

1. Slavery in Colonial America (32 min)

• Experiences of enslaved people across the various colonies.

1. Black Culture and Revolt in the Colonies (33 min)

• Retention of African heritage and cultural practices amidst enslavement.

1. Black Protest in the Age of Revolution (32 min)

• The responses of African Americans during the Revolutionary War.

1. Black Enlightenment Thought (31 min)

• Contributions of Black intellectuals like Phillis Wheatley and Benjamin Banneker.

1. Freedom’s Failures (30 min)

• Aftermath of legal emancipation in Northern states.

1. How Cotton Revived Slavery (34 min)

• The expansion of slavery due to the rise of cotton production.

1. Black Culture and Resistance in the South (31 min)

• Ways enslaved individuals created meaningful lives despite hardships.

1. Armed Rebellion in the Antebellum Era (32 min)

• Influences of the Haitian Revolution on American rebellions.

1. Free Black Communities in the North (30 min)

• Challenges faced by newly freed Africans in Northern cities.

1. Black Nationalism and Emigration (33 min)

• Emigration movements among Northern Africans seeking better conditions.

1. From Antislavery to Abolition (30 min)

• The rise of the abolition movement and notable activists.

1. Black Political Thinkers in the North (32 min)

• Major figures who shaped African American political thought.

1. The Black Struggle for Citizenship (29 min)

• Tactics used to fight segregation and advocate for voting rights.

1. Running for Freedom (31 min)

• Stories of fugitives who escaped slavery and sought freedom.

1. Slavery Splinters the Union (33 min)

• Tensions between North and South leading to the Civil War.

1. The Politics of Emancipation (27 min)

• African Americans’ responses to the Civil War and emancipation.

1. Battling the Curse of Slavery (33 min)

• The role of African American soldiers in the Civil War and associated struggles.

1. The Fruits and Failures of Reconstruction (35 min)

• The conditions for African Americans post-Civil War and the challenges they faced.