GBH Openvault
Africans In America; Revolution (1750–1805); Interview with John Riley, 1997
Part of Africans in America.
11/25/1997
John Riley is interviewed about George Washington's views on slavery, his low opinion of slaves, his position in 18th century Virginia society, his decision not to break up families by selling slaves, his marriage to Martha and her dowry, how the tobacco economy contributed to the Revolution, free blacks and armed slaves in the Revoutionary War, how Washington tried to stay out of politics, the freeing of his slaves in his will.
License Clip
- Series
- Africans In America
- Program
- Revolution (1750–1805)
- Program Number
102
- Title
Interview with John Riley, 1997
- Series Description
Broadcast: October 1998 This series explores the central paradox that is at the heart of the American story: a democracy that declared all men equal but enslaved and oppressed one people to provide independence and prosperity to another. The series opens in the 16th century on Africa's Gold Coast with the European and African trade, and ends on the eve of the American Civil War in 1861. Africans in America examines the economic and intellectual foundations of slavery in America and the global economy that prospered from it. The series reveals how the presence of African people and their struggle for freedom transformed America. Series release date: 10/1998
- Program Description
102 Revolution (1750–1805)--While the American colonies challenge Britain for independence, American slavery is challenged from within as men and women fight to define what America will be. When the War of Independence is won, black people, both enslaved and free, seize on the language of freedom even while the new nation's Constitution codifies slavery and oppression as a national way of life. Producer: Noland Walker.
- Duration
01:03:51
- Asset Type
Raw video
- Media Type
Video
- Genres
- Interview
- Topics
- History
- Race and Ethnicity
- Creators
- Smith, Llewellyn (Series Producer)
- Contributors
- Riley, John (Interviewee)
- Publication Information
- WGBH Educational Foundation
- Rights Summary
Rights Holder: WGBH Educational Foundation
- Citation
- Chicago: “Africans In America; Revolution (1750–1805); Interview with John Riley, 1997,” 11/25/1997, GBH Archives, accessed April 25, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BACB58AC3D44C6197CD713E48246384.
- MLA: “Africans In America; Revolution (1750–1805); Interview with John Riley, 1997.” 11/25/1997. GBH Archives. Web. April 25, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BACB58AC3D44C6197CD713E48246384>.
- APA: Africans In America; Revolution (1750–1805); Interview with John Riley, 1997. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BACB58AC3D44C6197CD713E48246384