S8E6 - When Baptism Threatened Slavery: Christianity and Power in the Caribbean and Atlantic

This episode explores the complex intersections of Christianity, colonialism, and slavery in the 17th–18th century Caribbean and Atlantic world. Historian Catherine Gerbner discusses her book, Christian Slavery, shedding light on how baptism and shared worship challenged the institution of slavery and unsettled slaveholders. The episode delves into the legal and racial shifts from identifying freedom by being 'Christian' to being 'white,' and the impactful roles of Quakers, Moravians, and other missionaries in the region.

Listeners interested in Caribbean history, family genealogy, and heritage will gain practical guidance on using diverse church and missionary records to un...