Christian Slavery

Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Discrimination & Race Relations, History, British, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Christian Slavery by Katharine Gerbner, University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Katharine Gerbner ISBN: 9780812294903
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc. Publication: February 7, 2018
Imprint: University of Pennsylvania Press Language: English
Author: Katharine Gerbner
ISBN: 9780812294903
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.
Publication: February 7, 2018
Imprint: University of Pennsylvania Press
Language: English

Could slaves become Christian? If so, did their conversion lead to freedom? If not, then how could perpetual enslavement be justified? In Christian Slavery, Katharine Gerbner contends that religion was fundamental to the development of both slavery and race in the Protestant Atlantic world. Slave owners in the Caribbean and elsewhere established governments and legal codes based on an ideology of "Protestant Supremacy," which excluded the majority of enslaved men and women from Christian communities. For slaveholders, Christianity was a sign of freedom, and most believed that slaves should not be eligible for conversion.

When Protestant missionaries arrived in the plantation colonies intending to convert enslaved Africans to Christianity in the 1670s, they were appalled that most slave owners rejected the prospect of slave conversion. Slaveholders regularly attacked missionaries, both verbally and physically, and blamed the evangelizing newcomers for slave rebellions. In response, Quaker, Anglican, and Moravian missionaries articulated a vision of "Christian Slavery," arguing that Christianity would make slaves hardworking and loyal.

Over time, missionaries increasingly used the language of race to support their arguments for slave conversion. Enslaved Christians, meanwhile, developed an alternate vision of Protestantism that linked religious conversion to literacy and freedom. Christian Slavery shows how the contentions between slave owners, enslaved people, and missionaries transformed the practice of Protestantism and the language of race in the early modern Atlantic world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Could slaves become Christian? If so, did their conversion lead to freedom? If not, then how could perpetual enslavement be justified? In Christian Slavery, Katharine Gerbner contends that religion was fundamental to the development of both slavery and race in the Protestant Atlantic world. Slave owners in the Caribbean and elsewhere established governments and legal codes based on an ideology of "Protestant Supremacy," which excluded the majority of enslaved men and women from Christian communities. For slaveholders, Christianity was a sign of freedom, and most believed that slaves should not be eligible for conversion.

When Protestant missionaries arrived in the plantation colonies intending to convert enslaved Africans to Christianity in the 1670s, they were appalled that most slave owners rejected the prospect of slave conversion. Slaveholders regularly attacked missionaries, both verbally and physically, and blamed the evangelizing newcomers for slave rebellions. In response, Quaker, Anglican, and Moravian missionaries articulated a vision of "Christian Slavery," arguing that Christianity would make slaves hardworking and loyal.

Over time, missionaries increasingly used the language of race to support their arguments for slave conversion. Enslaved Christians, meanwhile, developed an alternate vision of Protestantism that linked religious conversion to literacy and freedom. Christian Slavery shows how the contentions between slave owners, enslaved people, and missionaries transformed the practice of Protestantism and the language of race in the early modern Atlantic world.

More books from University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.

Cover of the book Forgotten Genocides by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Of Gardens by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Women in Frankish Society by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book The Language of Fruit by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book A Legacy of Leadership by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Becoming the People of the Talmud by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book How We Elected Lincoln by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Sister Carrie by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Zamumo's Gifts by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Dice, Cards, Wheels by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Madhouses, Mad-Doctors, and Madmen by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Misogyny by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book English Letters and Indian Literacies by Katharine Gerbner
Cover of the book Beat Cop to Top Cop by Katharine Gerbner
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy