Under the Flags of Freedom: Slave Soldiers and the Wars of Independence in Spanish South America (Pitt Latin American Studies)
“Under the Flags of Freedomis essential reading for historians of Latin American slavery and independence movements. Peter Blanchard convincingly demonstrates that the Spanish American revolutions undermined slavery in South America; at the same time, war gave enslaved persons the openings to fight for their freedom. Yet despite the new opportunities to claim freedom, the dismantling of slavery was protracted, conflictive, and uncertain. Blanchard brings to light the numerous conflicts over slavery and freedom that shaped the era's broader struggle for emancipation and independence.”—Christopher Schmidt-Nowara, Fordham University“An outstanding study that sheds new light upon the wars of Independence in South America.”—Military History”Impressively researched. Blanchard certainly achieves his goal of ensuring that slaves are given their proper due for securing Spanish America’s independence; his book is a fine resource for both students of Spanish America’s independence struggle and scholars interested in the process of abolition in the Atlantic World.”—American Historical Review“The subject matter is fascinating, and the research impressive,  giving grounds for optimism that we can still go deeper into the  exploration of the black experience in nineteenth-century South  America.”—Bulletin of Spanish Studies