The Routledge Atlas of African American History

Book excerpt: Now in its second edition, The Routledge Atlas of African American History traces the epic journey of African Americans’ four hundred years in North America. With more than 75 full-color maps, charts, and illustrations, this volume illuminates the myriad of contributions from Black Americans to the nation’s political, economic, cultural, and social history. Jonathan Earle begins the sweeping story with the African roots of Black America and moves through important developments such as the Underground Railroad, Emancipation and the Civil War, African Americas in the U.S. Armed Forces, the spread of Jim Crow Laws, and the long Civil Rights Movement. This updated edition also introduces new essays on Black Seminoles, the National Women’s Club Movement, Black political realignment and the rise of Barack Obama, and Black Lives Matter protests. Other diverse topics include: The AME Church Buffalo Soldiers Historically Black colleges and universities Black nationalism Racial violence and white supremacy. Examining both the geographical and historical context of the African American experience, this book is an indispensable reference for students of American history and African American history, and anyone interested in the Black experience.