Slavery in America

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although both books cover the same historical period, Elkins' "Slavery" looks at the roots of American slavery; whereas, Raboteau's "Slave Religion" looks at how slaves were converted to Christianity and what it meant in their lives. The author points out that Elkins believes that American slavery was decidedly unique and did not follow the pattern of slavery in other parts of the world; while Raboteau's thesis explores black American religion, which he calls the "invisible institution" rather than the "peculiar institution" that Southerners used to refer to slavery itself. The paper relates that Raboteau employs personal memoirs, which makes his book seem more nearly real and emotional to the reader; Elkins' book seems more scholarly because he uses a wide variety of primary and secondary sources.

From the Paper:

"Raboteau goes on to describe various parts of black religious services that resemble some of their African cultural practices, from "ring dances" to shouting and singing during services. He also discusses folk beliefs and even voodoo, and their importance in black religion, always tying the information into the roots of black culture in Africa. ... He shows that African religion did not, for the most part, remain in the slave culture, but portions of it influence worship, belief, and churches to this day."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Elkins, S. M. (1959). Slavery: A problem in American institutional and intellectual life. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
• Raboteau, A. B. (1978). Slave religion: The 'invisible institution' in the Antebellum South. New York: Oxford University Press.

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