The South played a prominent role in early American history, and its position was certainly strong and proud except for the “peculiar institution” of slavery. Thus, it drew away from the rest of an expanding nation, and in 1861 declared secession and developed a Confederacy… that ultimately lost the war. Indeed, for some time it was occupied. Thus, the South has a very mixed legacy, with good and bad aspects, and sometimes the two of them mixed. Which only enhances the need for a careful and balanced approach.
This can be found in the Historical Dictionary of the Old South, which first traces its history from colonial times to the end of the Civil War in a substantial chronology. Particularly interesting is the introduction, which analyzes the rise and the fall, the good and the bad, as well as the middling and indifferent, over nigh on two centuries. The details are filled in very amply in over 600 dictionary entries on the politics, economy, society and culture of the Old South. An ample bibliography directs students and researchers toward other sources of information.
William L. Richter has researched and written extensively in the area of the Antebellum South, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. He is the author of several books including the Historical Dictionary of the Civil War and Reconstruction, second edition (Scarecrow 2011).
Table of Contents
Part 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 Editor's Foreword Part 3 Chronology Part 4 Introduction Part 5 THE DICTIONARY Part 6 Select Bibliography Part 7 Appendixes Chapter 8 A. U.S. Governments during the Antebellum Era, 1790-1861 Chapter 9 B. U.S. and Confederate Governments during the Civil War, 1861-1865 Chapter 10 C. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, 1781 Chapter 11 D. Constitution of the Confederate States of America, 1861 Chapter 12 E. Constitution of the United States of America as of 1860 Part 13 About the Author
