Disunion!: the coming of the American Civil War, 1789-1859

The language of terrifying prophecy : disunion debates in the early republic

We claim our rights : the advent of abolitionism

Ruinous tendencies : the anti-abolition backlash

The idea will become familiar : disunion in the era of mass party politics

Oh for a man who is a man : debating slavery's expansion

That is revolution! : the crisis of 1850

Beneath the iron heel : fugitive slaves and bleeding Kansas

To consummate its boldest designs : the slave power confronts the republicans

War to the knife : images of the coming fight

Epilogue: The Rubicon is passed : the war and beyond.