Bibliograph

The press and slavery in America, 1791-1859, the melancholy effect of popular excitement, Brian Gabrial

Type

Label

The press and slavery in America, 1791-1859, the melancholy effect of popular excitement, Brian Gabrial

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [165]-232) and index

Illustrations

mapsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The press and slavery in America, 1791-1859

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

923665342

Responsibility statement

Brian Gabrial

Sub title

the melancholy effect of popular excitement

Summary

"Slavery remains one of the United States' most troubling failings, and its complexities have shaped American ideas about race, economics, politics, and the press since the first days of settlement. Brian Gabrial's The Press and Slavery in America, 1791-1859 examines those intersections at times when the nation and the institution of slavery were most stressed, namely when slaves revolted or conspired to revolt. Such events frightened slave-owning society to its core and forced public discussions about slavery at times when supporters of the peculiar institution preferred silence. Gabrial closely reads the mainstream press during the antebellum years, identifying shifts in public opinion about slavery and changes in popular constructions of slaves and other black Americans, a group voiceless and nearly invisible in the nation's major newspapers. He reveals how political intransigence rooted in racism and economics set the country on a perilous trajectory toward rebellion and self-destruction."--Page [4] of cover

Table Of Contents

Introduction: Racism and slavery in America -- Part I: The press and slave troubles in America. Haiti in 1791, Gabriel Prosser's 1800 conspiracy, and the 1811 German Coast slave revolt -- Denmark Vesey's 1822 conspiracy and Nat Turner's 1831 slave revolt -- Slavery, the press, and America's transformation, 1831-59 -- John Brown's "Greatest or principal object" -- From madman to martyr: John Brown's transformation in the northern antislavery press -- Part II: Media discourses about slavery. Dealing with slavery's enemies -- A racial panic -- Maintaining slavery -- Slavery divides the nation -- Slavery's immorality and destruction of civil liberties -- Slavery destroys freedom of the press -- Conclusion: The press and slavery's legacy

resource.variantTitle

Melancholy effect of popular excitement

Classification