Description
Book SynopsisDuring the long decade from 1848 to 1861 America was like a train speeding down the track, without an engineer or brakes. The new territories acquired from Mexico had vastly increased the size of the nation, but debate over their status—and more importantly the status of slavery within them—paralyzed the nation.
Trade Review“Anyone looking for a summary of the Compromise and its impact on antebellum politics would be hard-pressed to do better than these two chapters from two of its best and most celebrated historians (Michael Holt and Paul Finkelman).” * Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society *
“Paul Finkelman—perhaps the foremost legal historian of slavery and U.S. politics during this period—wrote the introduction, one of the essays, and coedited this impressive volume with the series editor, Donald R. Kennon…. I recommend this volume for those teaching classes that cover the origins of America’s bloodiest and, arguably, most important war.” * Journal of American History *
