About the book
What prompted southern secession in the winter of 1860–61 and why did secession culminate in the American Civil War?
Politicians and opinion leaders on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line struggled to formulate coherent responses to the secession of the deep South states. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in mid-April 1861 triggered civil war and the loss of four upper South states from the Union. The essays by three senior historians in Secession Winter explore the robust debates that preceded these events.
For five months in the winter of 1860–1861, Americans did not know for certain that civil war was upon them. Some hoped for a compromise; others wanted a fight. Many struggled to understand what was happening to their country. Robert J. Cook, William L. Barney, and Elizabeth R. Varon take approaches to this period that combine political, economic, and social-cultural lines of analysis. Rather than focus on whether civil war was inevitable, they look at the political process of secession and find multiple internal divisions—political parties, whites and nonwhites, elites and masses, men and women. Even individual northerners and southerners suffered inner conflicts.
The authors include the voices of Unionists and Whig party moderates who had much to lose and upcountry folk who owned no slaves and did not particularly like those who did. Barney contends that white southerners were driven to secede by anxiety and guilt over slavery. Varon takes a new look at Robert E. Lee's decision to join the Confederacy. Cook argues that both northern and southern politicians claimed the rightness of their cause by constructing selective narratives of historical grievances.
Secession Winter explores the fact of contingency and reminds readers and students that nothing was foreordained.
Editions of Secession Winter
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781421408958
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781421408965
- EBook
- ISBN 9781421408972
Read an Excerpt
What prompted southern secession in the winter of 1860–61 and why did secession culminate in the American Civil War?
Politicians and opinion leaders on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line struggled to formulate coherent responses to the secession of the deep South states. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in mid-April 1861 triggered civil war and the loss of four upper South states from the Union. The essays by three senior historians in Secession Winter explore the robust debates that preceded these events.
For five months in the winter of 1860–1861, Americans did not know for certain that civil war was upon them. Some hoped for a compromise; others wanted a fight. Many struggled to understand what was happening to their country. Robert J. Cook, William L. Barney, and Elizabeth R. Varon take approaches to this period that combine political, economic, and social-cultural lines of analysis. Rather than focus on whether civil war was inevitable, they look at the political process of secession and find multiple internal divisions—political parties, whites and nonwhites, elites and masses, men and women. Even individual northerners and southerners suffered inner conflicts.
The authors include the voices of Unionists and Whig party moderates who had much to lose and upcountry folk who owned no slaves and did not particularly like those who did. Barney contends that white southerners were driven to secede by anxiety and guilt over slavery. Varon takes a new look at Robert E. Lee's decision to join the Confederacy. Cook argues that both northern and southern politicians claimed the rightness of their cause by constructing selective narratives of historical grievances.
Secession Winter explores the fact of contingency and reminds readers and students that nothing was foreordained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Secession Winter about?
What prompted southern secession in the winter of 1860–61 and why did secession culminate in the American Civil War?
Politicians and opinion leaders on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line struggled to formulate coherent responses to the secession of the deep South states. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in mid-April 1861 triggered civil war and the loss of four upper South states from the Union. The essays by three senior historians in Secession Winter explore the robust debates that preceded these events.
For five months in the winter of 1860–1861, Americans did not know for certain that civil war was upon them. Some hoped for a compromise; others wanted a fight. Many struggled to understand what was happening to their country. Robert J. Cook, William L. Barney, and Elizabeth R. Varon take approaches to this period that combine political, economic, and social-cultural lines of analysis. Rather than focus on whether civil war was inevitable, they look at the political process of secession and find multiple internal divisions—political parties, whites and nonwhites, elites and masses, men and women. Even individual northerners and southerners suffered inner conflicts.
The authors include the voices of Unionists and Whig party moderates who had much to lose and upcountry folk who owned no slaves and did not particularly like those who did. Barney contends that white southerners were driven to secede by anxiety and guilt over slavery. Varon takes a new look at Robert E. Lee's decision to join the Confederacy. Cook argues that both northern and southern politicians claimed the rightness of their cause by constructing selective narratives of historical grievances.
Secession Winter explores the fact of contingency and reminds readers and students that nothing was foreordained.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Secession Winter?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history
Where can I read a sample of Secession Winter?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781421408958
How long is Secession Winter and how many pages does it have?
Secession Winter has 136 page(s)
Is Secession Winter part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series The Marcus Cunliffe Lecture Series
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Secession Winter?
Robert J. Cook
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Secession Winter is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781421408958) and paperback(ISBN 9781421408965) and ebook(ISBN 9781421408972)
Where can I buy Secession Winter online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Secession Winter from below
Where can I buy Secession Winter?