Africans in the Americas: A History of the Black Diaspora

This book seeks to explore, in a single, short convenient text, the complex relationship between Africa and the Americas from the early sixteenth century through the end of the twentieth century. Beginning with a preview of the relations between Africa and Europe prior to 1500, the work covers chronologically the transatlantic slave trade, domestic slave trading, slave systems, the abolition movements, and the aftermath of emancipation throughout the Americas. Several chapters provide sweeping surveys of broad regions such as British North America, the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, the Andean countries and Latin America. Others deal with specific territories such as the United States, Venezuela, Cuba or Brazil. The book begins with a chapter on African antiquity and early contacts with Europe. It continues with a comparative history of the slave trade and emancipation. Other topics include the role of free blacks throughout the Americas, women and gender relations, and African-American relations with Europeans and Native American populations. Finally, the book concludes with chapters on modern race and economic relations in the Americas and a chapter on the continuing ties between African Americans and Africa.

PART I - Africa, Europe, and the Americas
1. Africa to 1500
2. Africa and Europe before 1700
3. Early African Experiences in the Americas
PART II - The Slave Trade and Slavery in the Americas
4. Africans in the Caribbean
5. Africans in Brazil
6. Africans in Mainland Spanish America
7. Africans in the Thirteen British Colonies
PART III - Ending the Slave Trade and Slavery
8. Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade
9. Emancipation in the Caribbean and Spanish America
10. Emancipation in the United States
11. Emancipation in Brazil
PART IV - Africans in the Americas since Abolition
12. African Americans in Postemancipation Economies
13. Race and Politics in the United States
14. Race and Politics in Latin America
15. The Americas' Continuing Ties with Africa