The Union As It Is

Constitutional Unionism and Sectional Compromise, 1787-1861

By Peter B. Knupfer

304 pp., 6 x 9

  • Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8078-5741-0
    Published: May 2011
  • E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-0-8078-6255-1
    Published: November 2000
  • E-book PDF ISBN: 979-8-8908-8569-2
    Published: November 2000

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The first scholar to trace the meaning and importance of the idea of political compromise from the founding of the Republic to the onset of the Civil War, Knupfer shows how recurring justifications of sectional compromise reflected common ideas about the way governments were supposed to work.

Originally published in 1991.

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Reviews

"An imaginative treatment of a major theme in American political history, displaying wide learning and careful thought. Knupfer has made his mark as a rising historian."--Daniel Walker Howe, University of California, Los Angeles

"The Union As It Is reopens a neglected chapter in the history of American political discourse in which the terms 'compromise' and 'moderation' filled the writings and informed the actions of constitutional unionists like Henry Clay, Francis Lieber, and a host of statesmen, publicists, and civic educators. This intelligent, sympathetic, and overdue account of antebellum moderates deserves the attention of historians, political scientists, and other citizens concerned with America's civic culture."--James Farr, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

"This intelligent, sympathetic, and overdue account of antebellum moderates deserves the attention of historians, political scientists, and other citizens concerned with America's civic culture."--James Farr