Treason, Abolition and the Long Seminole War

Former black studies professor Opio Sokoni has produced a short but riveting book entitled, “Treason, Abolition and the Long Seminole War: North America’s Largest Black Insurrection Leading to the Civil War.” It takes the reader on a historical journey from the second Seminole War to the Civil War. Opio argues that Seminoles and Blacks were successful in their quest to remain self sufficient during the longest Indian war this country has fought.

He states that the Seminole Wars were a mixture of an Indian removal plan and the capturing of free Blacks in Florida for the purpose of servitude. These U.S. government activities had a major effect leading up to the Civil War.