The era of slavery in the United States is the subject of this scholarly 3-volume reference set. Covering some 250 years in the nation's history, Milestone Documents of U.S. Slavery includes 100 critical primary sources, from essays, speeches, and letters to government documents such as legislation and court opinions. In each case, the primary source is paired with in-depth commentary from numerous scholars and historians. Edited by acclaimed slavery scholar Paul Finkelman, Milestone Documents of U.S. Slavery is an essential resource for anyone researching the development, features, and eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.
Features and Benefits
Milestone Documents of U.S. Slavery is a useful reference for students and researchers exploring critical events, people, and issues in U.S. slavery. It supports a wide range of courses at the high school and college level and is an ideal starting point for research projects and papers. In addition, the scholarly commentary assists students and researchers in engaging with primary documents, analyzing textual sources, and comparing and contrasting historical texts, events, eras, and movements.
Organization and Format
The set is organized chronologically in three volumes. Within each volume, entries likewise are arranged chronologically by year.
Each entry in Milestone Documents of U.S. Slavery follows the same structure using the same standardized headings. The entries are divided into three main sections: Fact Box, Commentary and Analysis, and Document Text. Following is the full list of entry headings:
- The Fact Box includes the basic facts of the document: the year it was created, the author, the document type, and a statement summarizing the historical significance.
- Overview gives a brief summary of the document and its importance in history.
- Context places the document in its historical framework.
- About the Author presents a brief biographical profile of the person or persons who wrote the document, if known.
- Explanation and Analysis of the Document consists of a detailed examination of the text, generally in section-by-section or paragraph-by-paragraph format.
- Questions for Further Study proposes study questions for students.
- Further Reading lists books, articles, and websites for further research.
- Document Text includes the full or abridged text of the document. Abridgements of the text are indicated by ellipses.
- Glossary defines important, difficult, or unusual terms in the document text
Each entry features the byline of the scholar who wrote the commentary.
