Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism

Virtually no part of the modern United States--the economy, education, constitutional law, religious institutions, sports, literature, economics, even protest movements--can be understood without first understanding the slavery and dispossession that laid its foundation. To that end, historian Gerald Horne digs deeply into Europe's colonization of Africa and the New World, when, from Columbus's arrival until the Civil War, some 13 million Africans and some 5 million Native Americans were forced to build and cultivate a society extolling "liberty and justice for all." The seventeenth century was, according to Horne, an era when the roots of slavery, white supremacy, and capitalism became inextricably tangled into a complex history involving war and revolts in Europe, England's conquest of the Scots and Irish, the development of formidable new weaponry able to ensure Europe's colonial dominance, the rebel merchants of North America who created "these United States," and the hordes of Europeans whose newfound opportunities in this "free" land amounted to "combat pay" for their efforts as "white" settlers.

Centering his book on the Eastern Seaboard of North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and what is now Great Britain, Horne provides a deeply researched, harrowing account of the apocalyptic loss and misery that likely has no parallel in human history. This is an essential book that will not allow history to be told by the victors. It is especially needed now, in the age of Trump. For it has never been more vital, Horne writes, "to shed light on the contemporary moment wherein it appears that these malevolent forces have received a new lease on life."

Practic nicio parte a Statelor Unite moderne - economie, educatie, drept constitutional, institutii religioase, sport, literatura, economie, chiar si miscari de protest - nu poate fi inteleasa fara a intelege mai intai sclavia si deposedarea care au pus bazele sale. In acest scop, istoricul Gerald Horne sapa adanc colonizarea europeana a Africii si a Lumii Noi, cand, de la sosirea lui Columb si pana la Razboiul Civil, aproximativ 13 milioane de africani si aproximativ 5 milioane de nativi americani au fost fortati sa construiasca si sa cultive o societate care ridica „libertatea” si Justitie pentru toti." Secolul al XVII-lea a fost, potrivit lui Horne, o epoca in care radacinile sclaviei, suprematia alba si capitalismul au devenit indisolubil incurcate intr-o istorie complexa care implica razboi si revolte in Europa, cucerirea Angliei a scotienilor si a irlandezilor, dezvoltarea unor formidabile noi arme. capabili sa asigure dominatia coloniala a Europei, negustorii rebeli din America de Nord care au creat „aceste Statele Unite” si hoardele de europeni ale caror noi oportunitati in acest tinut „liber” se ridicau la „plata de lupta” pentru eforturile lor de colonisti „albi”.