How partisan politics lead to the Civil War What brought about the Civil War? Leading historian Michael F. Holt convincingly offers a disturbingly contemporary answer: partisan politics. In this brilliant and succinct book; Holt distills a lifetime of scholarship to demonstrate that secession and war did not arise from two irreconcilable economies any more than from moral objections to slavery. Short-sighted politicians were to blame. Rarely looking beyond the next election; the two dominant political parties used the emotionally charged and largely chimerical issue of slavery's extension westward to pursue reelection and settle political scores; all the while inexorably dragging the nation towards disunion.Despite the majority opinion (held in both the North and South) that slavery could never flourish in the areas that sparked the most contention from 1845 to 1861-the Mexican Cession; Oregon; and Kansas-politicians in Washington; especially members of Congress; realized the partisan value of the issue and acted on short-term political calculations with minimal regard for sectional comity. War was the result.Including select speeches by Lincoln and others; The Fate of Their Country openly challenges us to rethink a seminal moment in America's history.
#627658 in Books 2010-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.22 x 1.15 x 6.17l; 1.56 #File Name: 0807871311496 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent DiscussionBy WarrenThis book is an iconic work on the first day's battle of Gettysburg. I had read Pfanz's Second Day work and it provided excellent coverage so naturally I had to read his First Day book. I highly recommend it. As a side note it is unfortunate that Mr. Pfanz passed away before he could produce a volume on the Third Day's battle.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. My only criticism of The First Day is that it would benefit from a few more maps to better illustrate the flow of the fights asBy CustomerAll of Mr. Pfanz's Gettysburg works; including "The First Day"; are absolutely essential studies of the battle. Well researched; with helpful footnotes and generous bibliographies; they are all eminently authoritative and readable.My only criticism of The First Day is thatit would benefit from a few more maps tobetter illustrate the flow of the fights as described in the text. Also; regarding themaps that do appear; some are very awkward to use as they are not orientedwith north at the top of the illustration. Were I not familiar with the actual field; this would present a real confusion.On the positive side; the summary of the campaign leading up to the battle (essentially a distillation of the premier Gettysburg work by Coddington) is most helpful in setting the stage.Mr. Pfanz is to be praised and thanked for this fine work.Also; the many reproduced period images of principals and secondary figures from the text are helpful.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. BrilliantBy DemostheneseThis is so well researched !!! Most Civil War buffs know all about Little Round Top on Day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg; and everyone knows the story of Pickett's charge on Day 3. But Day 1 remains a mystery to most. And the stories told about it are conflicting and confusing. Harry Pfanz puts it all down on paper. He knows where every unit was and when they were there. He tells us that the Confederates knew that the Union army was in Gettysburg already; but Generals Harry Heth and A.P. Hill just didn't believe the reports that they received from General Johnston Pettigrew of North Carolina. In they went; and for the next 3 days the war hung in the balance. This is a great book; very informative. So informative; in fact; that I might have to read it again. I hated to put it down !!!
