The Great Resistance: A Panoramic Account of the Fight to End Slavery

In "The Great Resistance," Carrie Gibson presents a comprehensive narrative of the struggle for freedom by enslaved Africans and their descendants across the Americas from the 1500s to the 1800s. Gibson's work spans 500 pages and encompasses a wide array of events, including escapes, armed uprisings, and revolutions. The book highlights significant figures such as Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who led the Haitian Revolution, alongside lesser-known individuals like King Claes and Breffu, who played pivotal roles in resistance efforts.

The Guardian

Gibson emphasizes that the fight against slavery was not solely characterized by large-scale rebellions but also included everyday acts of defiance, such as theft and sabotage. These small acts were crucial for survival and represented a form of "great resistance." The author notes that while rebellion was infrequent due to the risks involved, the fear among enslavers of violent uprisings was palpable. The final chapters of the book explore the gradual abolition of slavery across the Americas, noting the varying timelines and methods of emancipation.

The Guardian

The Haitian Revolution is portrayed as a transformative event that shifted the dynamics of resistance from localized uprisings to a broader quest for freedom. Gibson describes it as a "volcanic explosion" that ignited further resistance across the Caribbean. However, the author refrains from providing a detailed analysis of how these uprisings influenced the abolition movement, instead opting for a narrative style that presents a multitude of characters and events without a clear overarching explanation.

The Guardian

Gibson critiques the nature of abolition, pointing out that many white-led efforts came with significant caveats, such as the £20 million compensation awarded to British slaveholders in the 1833 emancipation act. She argues that while enslaved people sought freedom through various means, the ultimate goal of universal freedom was often undermined by compromises that favored enslavers. In her conclusion, Gibson asserts that true freedom must encompass all individuals, or it remains a hollow promise.

The Guardian

While Gibson acknowledges the contributions of black abolitionists like Samuel Sharpe, who led a major uprising in Jamaica, she notes that the dialogue between enslaved rebels and abolitionists was complex and often unequal. The book highlights the influence of transatlantic networks that connected the political cultures of enslaved people with reformist ideas, yet it stops short of fully exploring these interactions.

The Guardian

• “one that stretches the entire length and breadth of the Americas.” — Carrie Gibson, Author

The Guardian

• “Freedom had to be for everyone, otherwise it was a lie.” — Carrie Gibson, Author

The Guardian

• “As Gibson points out, enslavers were terrified at the very real prospect of the people they treated as “property” responding to the violence of slavery by seeking violently to free themselves.” — Carrie Gibson, Author

The Guardian

• “Gibson does note the significance of the Haitian Revolution, describing it as “a volcanic explosion”, the “hot ash and glowing embers” of which ignited “more blazes” across the Caribbean and beyond.” — Carrie Gibson, Author

The Guardian

Gibson's "The Great Resistance" serves as a significant contribution to the understanding of the multifaceted struggle against slavery, though it invites further analysis of the connections between resistance movements and the eventual abolition of slavery across the Americas.

The Guardian