Sacred debts : state Civil War claims and American federalism, 1861-1880 / Kyle S. Sinisi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sinisi, Kyle S., 1962-

Series:

North's Civil War ; no. 23.

The North's Civil War series, 1089-8719 ; no. 23

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Federal government.

History.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Claims.

United States.

Claims.

United States--Politics and government--1861-1865.

Politics and government.

United States--Politics and government--1865-1900.

Federal government--United States--History--19th century.

Physical Description:

xvi, 208 pages ; 24 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Fordham University Press, 2003.

Summary:

In this innovative book, Kyle Sinisi explores a little-known chapter in the history of American politics--the struggle between states and the federal government over the costs of fighting the Civil War. At stake was the disposition of some $468 million. Focusing on Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri, Sinisi explores the process by which states were reimbursed by Washington in the most expensive intergovernmental contact of the 19th century. Recasting our understanding of governance, he shows that traditional sources of influence--courts and political parties--were less important in settling claims than adjutants general and private agents who fought for cash bonanzas. These power brokers helped shape the federal bureaucracy--and the process of state building.

Contents:

Origins of the Civil War claims system

Missouri's precedents and lobbyists

Memory and claims in Kentucky

Kansas and intergovernmental operations in the newly created state.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [189]-203) and index.

ISBN:

0823222594

OCLC:

52109255