Slavery and Politics in the Early American Republic

“Slavery and Politics in the Early American Republic is based on extensive research, broad in scope, clearly organized, and well written. Mason has made a significant contribution to the history of the Early Republic and of American slavery.” — Georgia Historical Quarterly

“Elegantly written . . . benefit[s] from copious research.” — New England Quarterly

“This well-crafted monograph . . . revises our understanding of the early national debates over slavery. . . . Scholars of slavery and early national politics will want to read Mason’s work.” — Journal of Southern History

“After reading this interesting book, few historians can deny that slavery was an important, indeed integral, component of the politics of the early American republic.” — Civil War History

“[A] careful and complex depiction of the variety of ways in which slavery entered the politics of the period. . . . A major contribution to our understanding of the significant role the institution of slavery had in the politics of the early republic.” — Journal of the Early Republic

“Scholars and general readers alike will profit from this book. . . . Recommended.” — CHOICE

“Mason unapologetically restores politics to the center stage. . . . [He] has a mastery of the secondary literature. . . . This is a bird’s-eye view that leaves plenty of scope for future researchers.” — Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

“Extensive and persuasive. . . . Adds rich and valuable texture to our understanding of early national politics and the Missouri Crisis.” — William and Mary Quarterly

“Mason’s historical argument is a powerful one. . . . In a revisionist vein, it shows how the 1808-1820 years were not really the lull before the antebellum storm.” — American Historical Review

“Mason has done an excellent job of assembling and presenting a wealth of evidence in a clear, coherent fashion.” — Indiana Magazine of History