The Southern Federalists, 1800–1816

Book excerpt: With this definitive study of Federalism in the Jeffersonian South, James H. Broussard makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge of the early political development of the United States and closes the gap in our knowledge of the Federalist party south of the Potomac.In a work grounded in fresh research from original sources, Broussard examines all aspects of Federalism in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. In his broad coverage he shows how the particular political system of each states affected party development, how the Federalists used party organization and newspapers to increase their appeal, and how individual Federalists faced such issues as slavery, judicial reform, and government aid to education and economic development.Using previously unavailable data, The Southern Federalists presents a thorough analysis of the historical, demographic, and economic voter patterns of our first party system. Although national origin, religion, wealth, and support for the Constitution were the bases of Federalism in other areas, the only factor common to southern Federalists was their deep fear of France. When this fear was put tor est by Napoleon's final defeat in 1815, there was no further need for the Federalists to remain a cohesive party.