Slavery and the Early American Economy

University of Richmond President Edward Ayers, who still teaches one history class each year, has a prominent Civil War-anniversary role in a city that’s full of the symbolism from that war, including Monument Avenue, along which stand grand statues of Confederate generals and admirals. (University of Richmond)

In this lecture Edward Ayers, President, University of Richmond, tackles myths about slavery and describes how it grew into an American -- not just Southern -- institution. He discusses slavery's integral role in driving the global economy in the early 1800s.

Edward Ayers: Slavery and the Early American Economy

Edward Ayers: Slavery and the Early American Economy from The Gilder Lehrman Institute on Vimeo.