Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk by William Dusinberre
Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk by William Dusinberre PDF, ePub eBook D0wnl0ad
James Polk was President of the United States from 1845 to 1849, a time when slavery began to dominate American politics. Polk's presidency coincided with the eruption of the territorial slavery issue, which within a few years would lead to the catastrophe of the Civil War. Polk himself owned substantial cotton plantations-- in Tennessee and later in Mississippi-- and some 50 slaves. Unlike many antebellum planters who portrayed their involvement with slavery as a historical burden bestowed onto them by their ancestors, Polk entered the slave business of his own volition, for reasons principally of financial self-interest. Drawing on previously unexplored records, Slavemaster President recreates the world of Polk's plantation and the personal histories of his slaves, in what is arguably the most careful and vivid account to date of how slavery functioned on a single cotton plantation. Life at the Polk estate was brutal and often short. Fewer than one in two slave children lived to the age of fifteen, a child mortality rate even higher than that on the average plantation. A steady stream of slaves temporarily fled the plantation throughout Polk's tenure as absentee slavemaster. Yet Polk was in some respects an enlightened owner, instituting an unusual incentive plan for his slaves and granting extensive privileges to his most favored slave. Startlingly, Dusinberre shows how Polk sought to hide from public knowledge the fact that, while he was president, he was secretly buying as many slaves as his plantation revenues permitted. Shortly before his sudden death from cholera, the president quietly drafted a new will, in which he expressed the hope that his slaves might be freed--but only after he and his wife were both dead. The very next day, he authorized the purchase, in strictest secrecy, of six more very young slaves. By contrast with Senator John C. Calhoun, President Polk has been seen as a moderate Southern Democratic leader. But Dusinberre suggests that the president's political stance toward slavery-- influenced as it was by his deep personal involvement in the plantation system-- may actually have helped precipitate the Civil War that Polk sought to avoid.From reader reviews:
Ronda Hagerty:
As we know that book is vital thing to add our understanding for everything. By a book we can know everything we want. A book is a group of written, printed, illustrated or even blank sheet. Every year had been exactly added. This guide Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk was filled about science. Spend your time to add your knowledge about your research competence. Some people has different feel when they reading any book. If you know how big advantage of a book, you can feel enjoy to read a guide. In the modern era like at this point, many ways to get book that you just wanted.
John Bonilla:
As a student exactly feel bored to help reading. If their teacher inquired them to go to the library or to make summary for some publication, they are complained. Just minor students that has reading's internal or real their leisure activity. They just do what the instructor want, like asked to the library. They go to presently there but nothing reading significantly. Any students feel that studying is not important, boring and can't see colorful photographs on there. Yeah, it is to be complicated. Book is very important in your case. As we know that on this period of time, many ways to get whatever we wish. Likewise word says, many ways to reach Chinese's country. Therefore this Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk can make you feel more interested to read.
Diana Erickson:
E-book is one of source of knowledge. We can add our know-how from it. Not only for students but in addition native or citizen need book to know the upgrade information of year to help year. As we know those books have many advantages. Beside we all add our knowledge, could also bring us to around the world. By the book Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk we can acquire more advantage. Don't you to definitely be creative people? To get creative person must prefer to read a book. Merely choose the best book that appropriate with your aim. Don't possibly be doubt to change your life by this book Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk. You can more inviting than now.
Read Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk by William Dusinberre for online ebook
Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk by William Dusinberre Free PDF d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books, online books, books online, book reviews epub, read books online, books to read online, online library, greatbooks to read, PDF best books to read, top books to read Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk by William Dusinberre books to read online.
Komentar
Posting Komentar