Walter Johnson, a renowned historian, has authored several influential works that have shaped the study of American history, particularly in the context of slavery and capitalism. His publications have provided new insights and challenged traditional narratives, making significant contributions to historical scholarship. This article explores some of Johnson's notable works and their impact.
Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market
"Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market" is
one of Walter Johnson's most acclaimed works. Published in 1999, the book offers a detailed examination of the U.S. slave trade, focusing on the New Orleans slave market. Johnson's research draws on a variety of sources, including court records, personal accounts, and economic documentation, to explore the dynamics of the slave market and the identities of slaveholders.
The book places the question of capitalism at the heart of the investigation, highlighting how slaveholders' identities were intertwined with their slaves. By examining the master-slave dialectic and the relationship between slaveholding households and the market, Johnson provides a nuanced understanding of the economic and social dynamics of the time. "Soul by Soul" has received numerous awards and is considered a seminal work in the historiography of U.S. slavery.
River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom
In 2013, Johnson published "River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom," further exploring the connections between slavery and capitalism. The book examines the material and economic spaces of the cotton South, the Atlantic World, and the imagined space of white supremacy and pro-slavery imperialism.
"River of Dark Dreams" seeks to empirically substantiate arguments made in Johnson's earlier articles, resituating the historiography of 19th-century slavery within the context of the global economy. The book has been recognized with awards such as the SHEAR Book Prize and has been praised for its synthesis of scholarship and new insights into the history of slavery and capitalism.
The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States
Johnson's 2020 book, "The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States," explores the history of racial capitalism through the lens of St. Louis. The book examines how racism has been used as a technique for exploitation and division, providing a case study of its pervasiveness and longevity outside the formal boundaries of slavery.
Through his publications, Walter Johnson has made significant contributions to the understanding of American history, particularly in the context of slavery and capitalism. His works continue to influence scholars and students, offering new perspectives and challenging established narratives.
