Slavery and Politics in the Early American RepublicGiving close consideration to previously neglected debates, Matthew Mason challenges the common contention that slavery held little political significance in America until the Missouri Crisis of 1819. Mason demonstrates that slavery and politics were enmeshed in the creation of the nation, and in fact there was never a time between the Revolution and the Civil War in which slavery went uncontested. The American Revolution set in motion the split between slave states and free states, but Mason explains that the divide took on greater importance in the early nineteenth century. He examines the partisan and geopolitical uses of slavery, the conflicts between free states and their slaveholding neighbors, and the political impact of African Americans across the country. Offering a full picture of the politics of slavery in the crucial years of the early republic, Mason demonstrates that partisans and patriots, slave and free--and not just abolitionists and advocates of slavery--should be considered important players in the politics of slavery in the United States. |
Contents
1 | |
9 | |
2 Federalists Republicans and Slavery during the War of 1812 | 42 |
3 Slavery and Partisan Conflict during the Era of Good Feelings | 75 |
4 Slavery in AngloAmerican Relations | 87 |
5 The Political Impact of African Americans | 106 |
6 Defending against Slavery | 130 |
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1st sess abolition abolitionists Adams African Americans antislavery appeal argued arguments asserted Atlantic attack Britain British Centinel century chap concern Congress Constitution continued controversy Convention Crisis danger debates defend domestic e√ect early editor emancipation England Enquirer especially evil example federal Federalists Feelings free blacks freedom Georgia Hartford Hezekiah Niles hoped humanity Ibid Independent influence insisted instance institution interests issue James John Josiah Quincy July June kidnapping late leading Letters liberty masters means Missouri Negro North Northern Northwest Ohio opposition PADA partisan party political population position principles proslavery Quakers question Quincy quotation quoted reasons relation representative Republicans response restriction rhetoric Senate slave representation slave trade slaveholders slavery slavery’s Society South Southern territory tion Union United Virginia vote West white Southerners writer wrote Yankees York
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Page 306 - The Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully held in Bondage, and for Improving the Condition of the African Race," incorporated by Act of Assembly passed the 8th day of December, AD 1789, of which Dr.
Page 308 - Free remarks on the spirit of the federal constitution, the practice of the federal government, and the obligations of the union, respecting the exclusion of slavery from the territories and new states.
Page 307 - The Olive Branch: or, Faults on Both Sides, Federal and Democratic. A Serious Appeal on the Necessity of Mutual Forgiveness and Harmony, to Save our Common Country from Ruin. Philadelphia: M. Carey, 1814. 252 pages 121110. "Defends the alien and sedition laws and abuses Jefferson for his mistakes."— WINSOR.