African-American Activism before the Civil War

"In the years leading up to the Civil War, African Americans in the North fought through legal and popular prejudice to change their situation and that of all African Americans in the United States. While not forgotten, the role of northern black American activists in the antebellum period was not considered a central piece of American history until the mid-twentieth century. African-American Activism before the Civil War gathers together the most influential scholarly essays on the topic published since 1965. Incorporating both classic pieces and new voices in an evolving field of study, editor Patrick Rael has carefully selected and organized the essays and anchored them with a comprehensive introduction." "African-American Activism before the Civil War is an invaluable collection for anyone interested in this vital minority whose efforts at community building and radical protest acted as a critical force in helping bring about the end of slavery, and set the precedent that inspired the next generation of activists."--Jacket.