Date of Award

Fall 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

Committee Director

Michael C. Carhart

Committee Member

Elizabeth Fretwell

Committee Member

Timothy Orr

Abstract

This thesis examines how African and Afro Creole men utilized the availability of and demand for forced and voluntary militia service under French, Spanish, and American governance as a mode of resistance to discrimination and repression within the social structures of the region. The influence and connections built through militia service were engaged to protect and preserve rights, customs, and opportunities for the Afro Creole community. From the establishment of the Louisiana colony until the Civil War, African and Afro Creole men utilized the service required in defense of their new home to gain freedoms, expand their personal and community rights, and build networks with fellow active militia, veterans, and their families. Examining the usage of that service during each period of Louisiana colonial and antebellum history demonstrates the dominant influence that engagement in military service held within the community and how that shaped antebellum independence and activism that stood ready to step immediately into Reconstruction roles at local, state, and national levels. Regimes in Louisiana changed but the influence of Afro Creole militia service remained.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/hgz3-9v58

ISBN

9798302862280

ORCID

0009-0001-4203-6277

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