Jim Crow North: The Struggle for Equal Rights in Antebellum New England

The struggle to overcome Jim Crow was part of a larger movement for equal rights in antebellum New England. Using sit-ins, boycotts, petition drives, and other initiatives, African American New Englanders and their white allies attempted to desegregate schools, transportation, neighbourhoods, churches, and cultural venues. They worked to secure the franchise, improve educational opportunities, enlarge employment prospects, remove prohibitions against mixed marriages, and protect fugitive slaves from recapture. Above all they sought to be respected and treated as equals in a reputedly democratic society. This work examines this topic.

Part I. Jim Crow in New England -- The world of Hosea Easton and David Walker -- New England's peculiar institution -- Emancipation and free African Americans -- Part II. Girding up -- Unity and uplift -- Advanced education -- Intimidation, assaults, and riots -- Part III. Towards equality -- Riding the rails with Jim Crow -- Forward steps -- Part IV. Mixed marriages -- Repealing the law -- Breaking a barrier -- Part V. Hitting the wall -- Fugitives -- Inching ahead -- The wall -- Part VI. Epilogue -- Miles to go