The First Migrants: How Black Homesteaders’ Quest for Land and Freedom Heralded America’s Great Migration
Description
This illuminating history recovers the story of Black homesteaders who moved west after the Civil War in pursuit of land, independence, and safety from racial violence. Drawing on archival research and the experiences of families who built communities across the Great Plains, it shows how homesteading became both a practical strategy for freedom and a powerful act of resistance. The book connects these early migrations to the larger movement of African Americans north and west in the twentieth century, revealing the deep roots of the Great Migration. Rich in historical detail and human perspective, it offers a fresh account of Black resilience, community-building, and the enduring struggle for economic self-determination.
Available Editions
paperback
University of Nebraska Press
Published Jan 1, 2023
508 pages
ISBN: 9781496230843
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Details
First Published
2023
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The First Migrants: How Black Homesteaders’ Quest for Land and Freedom Heralded America’s Great Migration by Richard Edwards, Jacob K. Friefeld, Angela Bates.