African America and Haiti - (Contributions in American History) by Chris Dixon (Paperback)

About the Book

While much has been written about the antebellum African American interest in emigration to Africa, the equally significant interest in Haitian emigration has been largely overlooked. Although free blacks spurned attempts by the American Colonization Society to return them to Africa, during the 1820s, and again during the 1850s and early 1860s, as conditions for African Americans became ever more precarious, thousands of blacks left the U.S. for Haiti searching for civic freedom and economic opportunity in the world's first independent black republic. Such prospects caught the attention of not only the African American leadership but of the black populace as well. In discussing the growing interest in Haitian emigration, Dixon provides ongoing discussions concerning black nationalism as an ideology.

While Haiti was a potent example of the possibility of black liberation, for black leaders such as James T. Holly, the island republic had not reached its true potential and was, therefore, an imperfect example of black nationalism. By carrying Christian civilization to Haiti, these African Americans hoped to transform it into an exemplar of black nationhood. There was, as Dixon argues, a clearly emerging ideology of black nationalism during the nineteenth century. However, the main principles of that ideology were marked by definite condescension toward non-American blacks that reflected many of the racial values of white America. Anticipating material comfort and political equality in their adopted nation, many emigrants instead encountered disease and suffering.

Book Synopsis

While much has been written about the antebellum African American interest in emigration to Africa, the equally significant interest in Haitian emigration has been largely overlooked. Although free blacks spurned attempts by the American Colonization Society to return them to Africa, during the 1820s, and again during the 1850s and early 1860s, as conditions for African Americans became ever more precarious, thousands of blacks left the U.S. for Haiti searching for civic freedom and economic opportunity in the world's first independent black republic. Such prospects caught the attention of not only the African American leadership but of the black populace as well. In discussing the growing interest in Haitian emigration, Dixon provides ongoing discussions concerning black nationalism as an ideology.

While Haiti was a potent example of the possibility of black liberation, for black leaders such as James T. Holly, the island republic had not reached its true potential and was, therefore, an imperfect example of black nationalism. By carrying Christian civilization to Haiti, these African Americans hoped to transform it into an exemplar of black nationhood. There was, as Dixon argues, a clearly emerging ideology of black nationalism during the nineteenth century. However, the main principles of that ideology were marked by definite condescension toward non-American blacks that reflected many of the racial values of white America. Anticipating material comfort and political equality in their adopted nation, many emigrants instead encountered disease and suffering.

Review Quotes

.,."a well-researched, finely written study...[a] superb piece of scholarship."-Choice

?...a well-researched, finely written study...[a] superb piece of scholarship.?-Choice

?Scholars working in the nineteenth century, in African American history, or in the African diaspora should read this important book.?-Australasian Journal of American Studies

?Well written and documented, African American and Haiti will benefit any scholar, teacher, or citizen interested in the complexities of the black struggle for justice in the nascent stages of the civil rights movement.?-The Journal of American History

..."a well-researched, finely written study...Ýa¨ superb piece of scholarship."-Choice

..."a well-researched, finely written study...[a] superb piece of scholarship."-Choice

"Scholars working in the nineteenth century, in African American history, or in the African diaspora should read this important book."-Australasian Journal of American Studies

"Well written and documented, African American and Haiti will benefit any scholar, teacher, or citizen interested in the complexities of the black struggle for justice in the nascent stages of the civil rights movement."-The Journal of American History

About the Author

CHRIS DIXON teaches American History at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He has also held positions at the University of Sydney and Massey University, New Zealand. His other works include Perfecting the Family: Antislavery Marriages in Nineteenth-Century America (1997).