Mixed History
America was founded by imperfect men. But many of the forefathers of America believed they were led by the God Who Created the world and the nations in it—led by Him to the places they settled, led by Him to form the governments and constitution we have, and led by Him to establish civil institutions.
So how than can the institution of slavery and the racism that followed have been a part of American life? How do we respond today to that legacy from the past?
Benjamin Franklin’s word to the Constitutional Convention, as they struggled for guidance, were, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of man….”
Can we leave our questions under that same truth and seek our answers there?
An Historic Debate
From the time before the American War for Independence, black Americans served as elected officials in local politics. Following the Civil War, hundreds more were elected to state and federal office. Read An Historic Debate from WallBuilders
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database has information on almost 36,000 slaving voyages that forcibly embarked over 10 million Africans for transport to the Americas between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The actual number is estimated to have been as high as 12.5 million. The database and the separate estimates interface offer researchers, students and the general public a chance to rediscover the reality of one of the largest forced movements of peoples in world history. Visit the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
Obama: Black history museum tells “richer and fuller” story of America
President Obama officially opened the National Museum of African American History and Culture Saturday, delivering a moving address on the importance of the newest Smithsonian venue and its role in providing “context for the debates of our times.” View article on CBS News Website
The History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Hear the untold stories of enslaved people and learn about historical and contemporary slavery. Visit National Museums Liverpool's History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
The abolition of the slave trade: Christian conscience and political action by John Coffey
The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by the British Parliament. The campaign for abolition was spearheaded by devout Christians, and it stands to this day as perhaps the finest political achievement of what would now be called faith-based activism. But who were the abolitionists, and how did their Christianity motivate them to campaign against the slave trade? This paper examines the Christian mind of the abolitionists, and ponders the lessons for today. Dr John Coffey trained as a historian at Cambridge University. His [...]