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The life of John Archibald Campbell reflects nearly every major development of 19th-century American history. He participated either directly or indirectly in events ranging from the Indian removal process of the 1830s, to sectionalism and the Civil War, to Reconstruction and redemption. Although not a defender of slavery, he feared that abrupt abolition would produce severe economic and social dislocation. He urged southerners to reform their labor system and to prepare for the eventual abolition of slavery. In the early 1850s he proposed a series of reforms to strengthen slave families and to educate the slaves so as to prepare them for assimilation into society as productive citizens. These views distinguished him from many southerners who steadfastly maintained the sanctity of the peculiar institution. In this first full biography of Campbell, Saunders reveals the prevalence of anti-secession views prior to the Civil War and covers both the judicial aspects and political history of this crucial period in southern history.
About the author
Robert Saunders Jr., is an assistant dean of administration and associate professor of history at Troy University.
Summary
Presents the first full biography of the southern US Supreme Court justice who championed both the US Constitution and states' rights. In this first full biography of Campbell, Robert Saunders, Jr., reveals the prevalence of anti-secession views prior to the Civil War and covers both the judicial aspects and the political history of this crucial period in southern history.
