The Merrill Jensen lectures in constitutional studies
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-206) and index.
Summary
"The most profound crisis of conscience for white Americans at the end of the eighteenth century became their most tragic failure. Race and Revolution is a trenchant study of the revolutionary generation's early efforts to right the apparent contradiction of slavery and of their ultimate compromises that not only left the institution intact but provided it with the protection of a vastly strengthened government after 1788. Reversing the conventional view that blames slavery on the South's social and economic structures, Nash stresses the role of the northern states in the failure to abolish slavery. It was northern racism and hypocrisy as much as southern intransigence that buttressed "the peculiar institution." Nash also shows how economic and cultural factors intertwined to result not in an apparently judicious decision of the new American nation but rather its most significant lost opportunity. Race and Revolution describes the free black community's response to this failure of the revolution's promise, its vigorous and articulate pleas for justice, and the community's successes in building its own African-American institutions within the hostile environment of early nineteenth-century America. Included with the text of Race and Revolution are nineteen rare and crucial documents-letters, pamphlets, sermons, and speeches-which provide evidence for Nash's controversial and persuasive claims. From the words of Anthony Benezet and Luther Martin to those of Absalom Jones and Caesar Sarter, readers may judge the historical record for themselves. 'In reality,' argues Nash, 'the American Revolution represents the largest slave uprising in our history.' Race and Revolution is the compelling story of that failed quest for the promise of freedom." [from the publisher]
Chapters: Movements of the armies prior to the battle of Germantown -- The British occupation of Germantown -- "We are always on the advance Post... our Present One is unpleasant..." -- The 40th regiment and its special position -- Washington plans the attack on Germantown -- The night march to Germantown -- Phase I : the battle begins in Mount Airy -- Phase II : Cliveden becomes a "fortified castle" -- Phase III : Musgrave's "castle" under attack -- Mistaken identity : the collision of Wayne and Stephen -- Retreat and counterattack -- Aftermath of the battle.
Summary
"The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British Army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington. The British victory in this battle ensured that Philadelphia, the capital of the self-proclaimed United States of America, would remain in British hands throughout the winter of 1777-1778. Now part of the city of Philadelphia, Germantown was an outlying community in 1777." [from the publisher]
Vol. 1 includes: Alphabetical index to places of interment of deceased Union soldiers in the various states and territories, as specified in Rolls of honor nos. I-XIII.
Nos. 26-27: "Reprinted with statement of the disposition of some of the bodies of deceased Union soldiers and prisoners of war whose remains have been removed to national cemeteries in the Southern and Western states."
