Let the oppressed go free : abolitionism in colonial and revolutionary America / Nicholas P. Wood.

Author/creator Wood, Nicholas P. author.
Format Book
EditionFirst edition.
PublicationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania Press, [2025]
Description371 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Subjects
Antislavery movements--United States. --History. --17th century.
Antislavery movements--United States. --History. --18th century.
Slavery--Religious aspects. --History. --17th century.
Slavery--Religious aspects. --History. --18th century.
Quakers--Political activity. --United States. --History. --17th century.
Quakers--Political activity. --United States. --History. --18th century.
Quaker abolitionists--United States. --History. --17th century.
Quaker abolitionists--United States. --History. --18th century.
Puritans--Political activity. --United States. --History. --17th century.
Puritans--Political activity. --United States. --History. --18th century.
Pacifism--United States. --History. --18th century.
Society of Friends--United States. --History. --17th century.
Society of Friends--United States. --History. --18th century.
Society of Friends--Relations. --Puritans.
Puritans--Relations. --Society of Friends.
United States--History. --Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
United States--History. --Revolution, 1775-1783. --Religious aspects.

Portion of title Abolitionism in colonial and revolutionary America
SeriesEarly American studies
Early American studies http://id.loc.gov/resources/hubs/b6297cdf-3c7a-24d8-f45d-c318977c5e31 ^A375699
Abstract "In Let the Oppressed Go Free, Nicholas Wood presents the opponents of slavery who sustained and expanded the antislavery movement during the American Revolution in the face of widespread hostility. These early abolitionists were inspired by antislavery theology: the view that slavery was a sinful form of oppression that would provoke God's wrath against slaveholding societies. These principles were first advanced by a handful of Quakers and Puritans as early as the 1600s, but they did not become widespread until the second half of the eighteenth century. Quakers embraced antislavery theology during the French and Indian War, which they interpreted as divine chastisement for the sin of colonial slavery. Citing the prophet Isaiah, they pledged to please the Lord by letting the oppressed go free. Antislavery theology became even more prominent during the American Revolution. When Parliament provoked an imperial crisis in the 1760s, abolitionists argued it was further evidence of God's anger over slavery. The outbreak of war in 1775 made these arguments increasingly persuasive. Let the Oppressed Go Free demonstrates that antislavery activism during the Revolution by Quakers, African Americans, and evangelical patriots was more sophisticated and influential than historians have recognized. The northern states that began abolishing slavery during the Revolution did so in response to tenacious agitation and generally described their actions as designed to earn God's blessing. Let the Oppressed Go Free challenges many common assumptions about abolitionism and the American Revolution. Wood demonstrates that religion remained central to abolitionism rather than being displaced by "secular" arguments about natural rights. And whereas some have argued that the Revolutionary War hindered antislavery progress and fueled racism, Wood shows that the war accelerated reform"--Publisher's description.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
Issued in other formebook version : 9781512828337
LCCN 2025023018
ISBN9781512828320
ISBN1512828327 hardcover
ISBNelectronic book
ISBNelectronic book

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