Partisan Imperative: The Dynamics of American Politics before the Civil War

In this provocative reinterpretation of American politics before the Civil War, Joel Silbey argues that local issues, ethnic and religious considerations, and the power of the national political parties were even more important than slavery in animating the political life of the era. He traces the tensions that divided the nation in this critical period and offers intriguing explanations for how and why they developed. These essays significantly contribute to the existing perspectives on the Civil War and also pave the way for new approaches to understanding a vital time in American history.Silbey, Joel H. is the author of 'Partisan Imperative: The Dynamics of American Politics before the Civil War', published 1987 under ISBN 9780195041576 and ISBN 0195041577.