The Problem of Slavery as History: A Global Approach (The David Brion Davis Series)

Why did slavery—an accepted evil for thousands of years—suddenly become regarded during the eighteenth century as an abomination so compelling that Western governments took up the cause of abolition in ways that transformed the modern world? Joseph C. Miller turns this classic question on its head by rethinking the very nature of slavery, arguing that it must be viewed generally as a process rather than as an institution. Tracing the global history of slaving over thousands of years, Miller reveals the shortcomings of Western narratives that define slavery by the same structures and power relations regardless of places and times, concluding instead that slaving is a process which can be understood fully only as imbedded in changing circumstances. "Why did slavery--an accepted evil for thousands of years--suddenly become regarded during the eighteenth century as an abomination so compelling that Western governments took up the cause of abolition in ways that transformed the modern world? Joseph C. Miller turns this classic question on its head by rethinking the very nature of slavery, arguing that it must be viewed generally as a process rather than as an institution. Tracing the global history of slaving over thousands of years, Miller reveals the shortcomings of Western narratives that define slavery by the same structures and power relations regardless of places and times, concluding instead that slaving is a process which can be understood fully only as embedded in changing circumstances."--Publisher's website Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 The Problem of Slavery as History -- 2 History as a Problem of Slaving -- 3 Slavery and History as Problems in Africa -- 4 Problematizing Slavery in the Americas as History -- Appendix: Schematic Historical Sequences of Slaving -- Notes -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z Tracing the global history of slaving over thousands of years, this title reveals the shortcomings of Western narratives that define slavery by the same structures and power relations regardless of places and times, concluding instead that slaving is a process which can be understood fully only as imbedded in changing circumstances. The Problem Of Slavery As History -- History As A Problem Of Slaving -- Slavery And History As Problems In Africa -- Problematizing Slavery In The Americas As History -- Appendix: Schematic Historical Sequences Of Slaving. Joseph C. Miller. Includes Bibliographical References (p.173-209) And Index.