“This book is about the relationship between the Civil War generation and the founding generation;†Timothy S. Huebner states at the outset of this ambitious and elegant overview of the Civil War era. The book integrates political; military; and social developments into an epic narrative interwoven with the thread of constitutionalism—to show how all Americans engaged the nation's heritage of liberty and constitutional government. Whether political leaders or plain folk; northerners or southerners; Republicans or Democrats; black or white; most free Americans in the mid-nineteenth century believed in the foundational values articulated in the Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the Constitution of 1787—and this belief consistently animated the nation's political debates. Liberty and Union shows; however; that different interpretations of these founding documents ultimately drove a deep wedge between North and South; leading to the conflict that tested all constitutional faiths. Huebner argues that the resolution of the Civil War was profoundly revolutionary and also inextricably tied to the issues of both slavery and sovereignty; the two great unanswered questions of the Founding era.Drawing on a vast body of scholarship as well as such sources as congressional statutes; political speeches; military records; state supreme court decisions; the proceedings of black conventions; and contemporary newspapers and pamphlets; Liberty and Union takes the long view of the Civil War era. It merges Civil War history; US constitutional history; and African American history and stretches from the antebellum era through the period of reconstruction; devoting equal attention to the Union and Confederate sides of the conflict. And its in-depth exploration of African American participation in a broader culture of constitutionalism redefines our understanding of black activism in the nineteenth century. Altogether; this is a masterly; far-reaching work that reveals as never before the importance and meaning of the Constitution; and the law; for nineteenth-century Americans.
#576179 in Books Univ Pr of Kansas 2011-09-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.10 x 6.10l; 1.70 #File Name: 0700617922342 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A good book with some interesting surprisesBy Ricky HerringA good book with some interesting surprises. One of the biggest surprises is that with all of the photos I did not see a single picture of a Confederate flag. I did however see numerous American flags. It makes you wonder if the tag "hate symbol" that the left so often attaches to the Confederate flag and to it alone is totally justified.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. this is one of the best books written on the connection between religionBy Shreena GandhiThis is a meticulously researched and clearly written book on the intertwined relationship between white Protestantism and the KKK. I have assigned the entire book in my upper level classes; and recently taught the chapter on motherhood and the KKK in my Religion in America class. Students learned a lot from the chapter; and many were eager to read more. To; this is one of the best books written on the connection between religion; US nationalism; white supremacy and the construction of whiteness. I recommend this book to anyone interested in better understanding US religious history and race/racism/racialization.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. And just when you thought it was safe to walk down the streetBy C. WagnerA decidedly white Protestant (not liberal Protestant) organization strived to protect America from immigrants; Catholics; and other minorities while rewriting history to suit its needs. KKK demanded more God in public education and railed against religious schools; which did not meet its needs threshold and prided itself on good works. Also advocated were the protection of white women's virtue and growing youth into mature "real" Americans. This book is somewhat of a slow read and specifically covers a brief time period. However; the final chapter "Passing the torch" makes it all worthwhile. Are surviving splinter groups still maintaining political power? Have the ideals of the twentieth century Klan been absorbed into various twenty-first century political and religious units? This is all interesting stuff; and I am not going to tell you the author's conclusion. You will have to buy the book and read for yourself. I just will say these few pages leave a great deal to think about. Readers may also be interested in "Citizen Klansman" by Leonard Joseph Moore and "Klansville; U.S.A." by David Cunningham.
