African American History and Literature

These flashcards cover key concepts and themes from the history of Blacks in America and African American literature, highlighting important figures, movements, and cultural practices.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

A historical trade route in the 16th century that dramatically affected the presence of Blacks in America.

Eugenics

A social and scientific movement aimed at improving the human species through selective breeding and controlling reproduction.

African American Literature

Literature produced by Black Americans that reflects their collective response to disenfranchisement and segregation.

Collective Identity

The shared sense of identity among African Americans formed through common experiences of subordination.

Vernacular Language

The everyday language and dialect spoken by a particular group, reflecting cultural significance and shared history among Black Americans.

Slave Narratives

Historical documents that provide firsthand accounts of slave life in the South, often focusing on the loss of identity and family relationships.

Oral Traditions

The early form of African American literature, consisting of spirituals and folktales that addressed themes of faith and liberation.

Civil Rights

The struggle for the rights of African Americans, particularly with regard to citizenship, voting rights, and social integration following the Civil War.

Cultural Resistance

The use of literature and vernacular language as a means of asserting identity and resisting dominant cultural narratives.

Phillis Wheatley

The first published African American poet, whose works advocate against slavery and promote equality, published in 1773.