Let Us Die to Make Men Free: American Slavery and Civil War in Global Perspective

The most startling fact about the American Civil War is that it happened at all. In a world filled with slavery, secession, and war, it was unique. In no other country did enslavers start a war to protect slavery. Why were U.S. planters willing to risk their fortunes, sacrifice their lives, and destroy their country while enslavers elsewhere were not?

Most books about slavery and the American Civil War focus solely on events within the United States. In contrast, this book presents these to...