Building Toward the Civil War: Generational Rhythms in American Politics - Hardcover

Elazar, Daniel J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0819183490 ISBN 13: 9780819183491

Publisher: University Press of America, 1992

Synopsis

In the years between 1846 and 1861, foundations were laid for new forms of political organization in the United States. Unfortunately, these foundations were not strong enough to prevent civil war.

About this title

Synopsis

In the years between 1846 and 1861, foundations were laid for new forms of political organization in the United States. However, the convergence of various social, political and economic factors resulted in the breakdown of democratic politics and finally to civil war. Co-published with the Center for the Study of Federalism, this book examines the impact of the Civil War era on American government on both state and national levels. The author takes a look at the collapse of the political process and the subsequent disruption of the union. He then analyzes how the country rebuilt its governmental structure to go on to meet the challenges and demands of industrialization and the American frontier. Elazar illustrates that the implications of this crucial period of US history went beyond the immediate questions of the coming of the war.

From the Back Cover

In the years between 1846 and 1861, foundations were laid for new forms of political organization in the United States. Unfortunately, these foundations were not strong enough to prevent civil war. Daniel Elazar, one of the world's leading authorities on constitutional issues, goes beyond the usual discussion of the southern slave economy and the northern disapproval of the slave trade, to get to the root of the problem. He describes a fast-changing culture underpinning explosive political differences and examines the specific social, political, and economic changes that were occurring at the time - changes that tore communities and families apart, drove northern and southern states into conflict and eventually led the nation into a bloody civil war.

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of America
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0819183490
• ISBN 13: 9780819183491
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 238