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Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Emergence of Involuntary Servitude in America

John Updike

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Published in Slavery By Another Name: The Re Enslavement Of Black Americans From The Civil War To World War II

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Slavery by Another Name is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas A. Blackmon that chronicles the history of convict leasing in the United States from the end of the Civil War to the early 20th century. Blackmon argues that convict leasing was a form of slavery that was used to replace the labor of enslaved people after the abolition of slavery. The book has been praised for its meticulous research and its powerful indictment of the American criminal justice system.

Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II

by Douglas A. Blackmon

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4063 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	498 pages

The Origins of Convict Leasing

The origins of convict leasing can be traced back to the Reconstruction era, when the United States was struggling to rebuild after the Civil War. The South had been devastated by the war, and there was a shortage of labor. To fill this void, Southern states began to lease out convicts to private companies. These companies used the convicts to work on plantations, in mines, and in factories.

Convicts were leased out for a variety of reasons. Some states used convict leasing to generate revenue. Others used it to control the African American population. And still others used it to punish criminals. Whatever the reason, convict leasing quickly became a widespread practice in the South.

The Conditions of Convict Leasing

The conditions of convict leasing were often brutal. Convicts were typically housed in overcrowded and unsanitary prisons. They were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions. And they were often subjected to beatings and other forms of abuse.

The death rate among convicts was high. In some states, more than 10% of convicts died each year. And those who survived their sentences were often left with permanent physical and psychological scars.

The Abolition of Convict Leasing

The convict leasing system eventually came to an end in the early 20th century. This was due to a number of factors, including the growing public outcry against the practice, the rise of labor unions, and the passage of federal laws that prohibited the use of convict labor.

However, the legacy of convict leasing still lingers today. The mass incarceration of African Americans in the United States can be traced back to the convict leasing system. And the private prison industry continues to profit from the exploitation of prisoners.

Slavery by Another Name is a powerful indictment of the American criminal justice system. Blackmon's book shows how the convict leasing system was used to replace the labor of enslaved people and to control the African American population. The book is a reminder that slavery is not a thing of the past, but a continuing legacy that continues to haunt the United States today.

A Group Of Convicts Working On A Plantation During The Convict Leasing Era Slavery By Another Name: The Re Enslavement Of Black Americans From The Civil War To World War II