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One important tradition in political science conceives of the Civil War in the United States serving as the functional equivalent of the English and French Revolutions, bringing with it the victory of liberal democratic industrialism over aristocratic agriculturalism. From this perspective, the Civil War is notable for its impact on the American state. Surprisingly however, little attention has been paid to the distinguishing features of this historic rupture in American politics.
Through primary source research and the re-analysis of the rich historical literature about the antebellum era and the causes of the Civil War, Lawrence A. Anderson explores the relationship between federalism and the movement for secession in the United States during the pre-civil war era. Focusing primarily on South Carolina, Anderson carefully revisits theory on institutional analysis of political development to expose what caused secession in the United States.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The American State and Early Challenges to Central State Authority Chapter 3: States’ Rights in South Carolina: From Nullification to the First Secession Crisis Chapter 4: South Carolina Secedes Chapter 5: The Path of Secession in the Three Souths Chapter 6: The Past and Future of Federalism and Secession
About the author
Lawrence M. Anderson is an associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He teaches mainly in the area of American politics. His research interests include federalism and secessionism.
Summary
Through primary source research and the re-analysis of the rich historical literature about the antebellum era and the causes of the Civil War, Lawrence A. Anderson explores the relationship between federalism and the movement for secession in the United States during the pre-civil war era.
