Jacksonian Antislavery and the Politics of Free Soil, 1824-1854

“Deeply researched, lucidly written, clearly and provocatively argued, and packed with new information.” — Civil War History Journal

“Provides fresh readings of new or underused evidence to make the case that Democratic free soilers were an essential part of the coalition that helped root out slavery in North America.” — Historical New Hampshire

“Provides a welcome and path-breaking look at the origins of the Free-Soil movement and its significant influence on the political realignments of the late 1840s and 1850s. . . . A finely crafted work, carefully weaving together biographies and events at the state and national levels in an engaging and accessible narrative. It makes a strong argument to all students of American political history that antislavery Jacksonians were pivotal figures in bringing about the ultimate destruction of southern slavery.” — North Carolina Historical Review

“Earle writes with style and vigor in an engaging narrative approach.” — Journal of American History

“Jonathan Earle revises the revisionists in this lucid and well-argued demonstration of the vital Jacksonian contribution to the abolition of slavery. Jacksonian Antislavery enriches the literature of the age of Jackson.” — Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

“In this first-rate, path-breaking book, Jonathan Earle engages familiar literature and, much to his credit, takes our understanding of political antislavery into unexplored terrain. He shows persuasively that Free Soil Democrats stood apart from other antislavery activists whose reformist agenda was both broader and infused with evangelical uplift. He illuminates a largely ignored dimension of the Free Soil and Republican parties and, in the process, enriches our understanding of the sectional crisis.” — Michael A. Morrison, Purdue University