When we think of slavery in Early America, we often think about the plantations and economies of the South. But slavery was also deeply entrenched in the city of New York.
The early history of African Americans in New York City started with the arrival of the first slaves in 1626, moving through the turbulent years before New York’s emancipation in 1827, and includes in one of the most terrifying displays of racism in U.S. history, the New York City Draft Riots of 1863.
On the latest Ben Franklin’s World podcast Leslie M. Harris, a Professor of History at Northwestern University and author of the book In the Shadow of Slavery: African Americans in New York City, 1626-1863 (University of Chicago Press, 2004), explores the history of Africans and African Americans in early New York City.
You can listen to the podcast here.
Ben Franklin’s World is an award-winning podcast. It’s for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our world. Each episode features an interview with a historian who shares their unique insights into our early American past.
Learn more about slavery in New York State.
See a full list of New York related podcasts.
Illustration: Duke’s Plan of New York, “A description of the towne of Mannados or New Amsterdam as it was in September, 1661…,” 1664, Leventhal Map Center, Boston Public Library.
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