This is a history of the US from the stand point of secessionists. It starts
from before the constitution, through our history. Napoleon sold the Louisiana
purchase because he thought such a large country would split up naturally. The
various states had secessionist sentiments as well. Rhode Island, New York,
and N Carolina were late to ratify and each claimed the right to secede later
if they wished. The Aaron Burr conspiracy to form a country out of the Western
States is reviewed as well as South Carolina and their nullification crisis as
well as early New England secessionist schemes , especially at the time of the
War of 1812. Vermont seceded from New York, was an independent Republic for
awhile.
There are 486 pages of this sort of history which has mostly been suppressed,
because it never went very far until the civil war or since. That said, it
makes our current disruption seem more of the same than something new.
When you think of England's history and Wales, Scotland, and Irish troubles, I
guess our own story is not that unexpected. It is a long read, from a
different perspective. The claim that the federal government exploits one
section of the country to help others persists, and was behind the Southern
opposition to FDR's New Deal. Kreitner concludes that secession is likely to
grow in importance in our present dark times.
I hope that he is all wrong.
Beware, if you decide to read this book
Doug Everett