It was no coincidence that the Civil War occurred during an age of violent political upheaval in Europe and the Americas. Grounding the causes and philosophies of the Civil War in an international context; Andre M. Fleche examines how questions of national self-determination; race; class; and labor the world over influenced American interpretations of the strains on the Union and the growing differences between North and South. Setting familiar events in an international context; Fleche enlarges our understanding of nationalism in the nineteenth century; with startling implications for our understanding of the Civil War.Confederates argued that European nationalist movements provided models for their efforts to establish a new nation-state; while Unionists stressed the role of the state in balancing order and liberty in a revolutionary age. Diplomats and politicians used such arguments to explain their causes to thinkers throughout the world. Fleche maintains that the fight over the future of republican government in America was also a battle over the meaning of revolution in the Atlantic world and; as such; can be fully understood only as a part of the world-historical context in which it was fought.
#2675659 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2003-11-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.20 x 6.24 x 9.76l; 1.58 #File Name: 0807828041416 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Love of Money Caused the Civil WarBy Zezelia BrooksAfter years of slavery and political deliberations about slavery in Congress; what moved the Southern States particularly; South Carolina; to calculate it was time to secede from the United States? James Huston delineates that when historians add to the calculation property rights of slaves; you find the catalyst. "At the root of the controversy over slavery was the wealth invested in slavery. Remove the wealth; and the controversy; like a Cheshire Cat; fades away with a knowing grin" (66). Like the Biblical root of evil; money was at the root of the Civil War. This book continues Huston's theory developed in "Securing the Fruits of Labor." These are landmark books that helped me as an American Black understand the period surrounding the Civil War. Huston is to be applauded for scholarship that heals national tensions by using excellent research; primary sources and by developing within his book a theory that includes all peoples. His theory developed in appendices AB deserves an award.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A fresh approach to the Civil War .By Hill Country AdjunctHuston brings thorough; thoughtful research and very suggestive themes to his work. Every student of the Civil War needs to consider his opinions. Both sides of the debate will find this volume useful.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. The heart of the questionBy James W. DurneyWhat caused the Civil War? Debates on this question occur; with passion; daily on blogs and boards across the Internet. Slavery; states' rights; industrial vs. agricultural; Southern expansion or Northern morality is the cause. Each has supporters and detractors; convinced that the other side is comprised of thickheaded fools or worse. A widely held view is slavery caused the South refusal to accept Lincoln's election in 1860 and secession lead to war. A problem with this idea is why the South refused to accept the results of the 1860 election in the face of Republican statements not attempting to change the status of existing slave states.James L. Huston steps into the arena fully prepared to answer questions and defend his position. Without taking a moral stance; he demonstrates the South's reason for making secession the answer in the years leading to 1860. This is not one sided; the author follows the North's logical paths to a position that makes secession popular in the South. While the idea that we fight wars for high moral purposes is comforting; the truth is that self-interest; fear and political advantage are the major reasons for war. The author clearly demonstrates that the South had realistic fears of the majority depriving them of their property in slaves. These fears are understandable in light of the North's increasing anti-slavery position. The book traces the myriad logical paths the North followed to this position. The most common being the fact that slave labor reduced wages for and debased free labor's standing in the community. Hard economic and social reality is bolstered by the idea of slavery violation of the natural rights to the fruits of one's labor.A complex book containing many ideas makes for a slow but not a dull read. You will want to take the time to study the many charts graphs; check the footnotes and consider the author's positions. The writing is academic in style but is not unreadable or boring. The book looks at the critical period from 1840 to Lincoln's election. The problems of westward expansion; fall of the Whigs; rise of Abolition and Secession are in a cohesive narrative bolster by charts and graphs. This makes for a challenging and thought provoking reading experience that will leave you richer for the effort.
