In The Conversation , 28th May: Jeremy D. Popkin discusses his new book, The First Emancipation: The Forgotten History of Abolition in Revolutionary France, published by Princeton University Press. Professor Popkin's book is to be released in the U.K. on 16th June.
"As a longtime expert on French history, I believe the role of revolutionary France in confronting slavery has long been overshadowed by subsequent trans-Atlantic movements for abolitionism. But as I show in my new book, “The First Emancipation,” it is in France where a national government first outlawed slavery – and indeed made steps toward racial equality.
What is also striking about this period beyond the remarkably swift achievements for Black people living under French rule, however, is the fragility of the nature of progress. Within a decade, Napoleon would reimpose slavery in French colonies – and shut the door on abolitionism for several decades."
THE CONVERSATION: The forgotten story of abolition in revolutionary France – the first emancipation
The First Emancipation | Princeton University Press
Jeremy D Popkin | University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences
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