Historical Dictionary of the Old South [Hardcover]

The South played a prominent role in early American history, and its position was certainly strong and proud except for the peculiar institution of slavery. Thus, it drew away from the rest of an expanding nation, and in 1861 declared secession and developed a Confederacy& that ultimately lost the war. Indeed, for some time it was occupied. Thus, the South has a very mixed legacy, with good and bad aspects, and sometimes the two of them mixed. Which only enhances the need for a careful and balanced approach.

This can be found in the Historical Dictionary of the Old South, which first traces its history from colonial times to the end of the Civil War in a substantial chronology. Particularly interesting is the introduction, which analyzes the rise and the fall, the good and the bad, as well as the middling and indifferent, over nigh on two centuries. The details are filled in very amply in over 600 dictionary entries on the politics, economy, society and culture of the Old South. An ample bibliography directs students and researchers toward other sources of information.

In this volume, the second edition of the title, Old South refers to presecession South (17901861). Richter, who is referred to in the foreword as an academically trained historian retired from his own horseshoeing business, has written other volumes on the topic, including the first edition of this title. The volume offers a chronology, an introduction (which serves as a historical overview and an explanation of the authors standpoint), 600 brief alphabetically arranged entries, and a bibliography. Coverage includes a range of topics including people, economics, politics, law, society, and culture. StanlÁ