Christopher James Bonner Bücher

This comprehensive history explores black citizenship in the nineteenth-century United States, a concept that was fluid and often contested. The Constitution left the definition of citizenship ambiguous, leading to ongoing debates about who qualified, how one could attain this status, and the rights it conferred. U.S. Attorney General Edward Bates noted in 1862 that the understanding of citizenship remained as unclear as at the nation’s founding. Amid this confusion, black individuals sought to redefine their freedom by asserting their citizenship and demanding rights. Christopher James Bonner argues that they were central to shaping the meaning of American citizenship. Throughout the nineteenth century, free African Americans utilized newspapers, public gatherings, and conventions to advocate for their rights and clarify the protections and responsibilities of citizenship. Their efforts were crucial in the ongoing struggle to define national belonging. The narrative highlights the diverse ways African Americans, regardless of their social standing, engaged in this vital discourse. By examining various forms of activism, including legal cases and public protests, Bonner reveals the significant debates on rights and identity that not only affected African Americans but also influenced the broader understanding of citizenship in the United States.