Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

History

Major Professor

Paul Bergeron

Committee Members

Lori Glover, John Muldownly

Abstract

The secession of southern states in 1860-61 appears, on the surface, to be a rebellion against the Constitution and government of the United States. This study investigates the interpretations of and beliefs about the Constitution from its creation through secession for a prominent southern locale throughout that time period, Richmond, Virginia. Richmond, with the wealth of newspapers and manuscripts available to the researcher, provides a microcosm for the study of such broad concepts. Richmond served as Virginia's capital throughout the time period of study and offered leadership to the state, the region, and the entire country through its native statesmen, its extensive commentary on national issues, and its initiative during crises. When the Constitution was created in 1787 and debated by Richmond in 1788, Richmond demonstrated great concern with the established balance of power between the state and federal governments. The city sought to affirm the continued sovereignty of the states which would be voluntarily bound under the Constitution for mutually beneficial purposes. This philosophy represented a consistency of thought dating back before the War for American Independence when Thomas Jefferson declared the right of any party to a governing compact to withdraw when the compact ceased to protect—and perhaps began to destroy—essential rights such as life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness. Richmond demonstrated a loyalty to this principle from 1787 through 1861 at which point Richmond citizens determined that the Constitution no longer provided adequate safeguards for their rights. After having exhausted all means within the Union to reestablish needed security, Richmond chose secession as the only option which could preserve such long- and dearly-held principles. Virginia's secession was not a rebellion against the Constitution, but a protest against its misinterpretation by other parties to the contract, represented in the federal government. Such "revolutionary" action actually highlighted Richmond's consistency and conservatism in its interpretation of the Constitution throughout 1787-1861.

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