Jefferson Cowie

Jefferson Cowie, the James G. Stallman Professor of History at Vanderbilt University and author of Freedom's Dominion, shares profound insights into white resistance to federal authority through the lens of Barbour County, Alabama. He reveals how freedom has been weaponized historically to oppose federal power and highlights its complex meanings in American politics. The conversation dives into themes of states' rights, racial dynamics post-Civil War, and even suggests mandatory voting to enhance democracy, making the past resonate with contemporary struggles.

Jefferson Cowie, a historian at Vanderbilt University and author of 'Freedom's Dominion,' delves into the intricate history of white resistance to federal authority in Alabama. He highlights the manipulative use of 'freedom' throughout significant events from Indian Removal to the Civil Rights Movement. The discussion navigates complex themes like the paradox of Andrew Jackson's land policies, the intersection of local and federal dynamics, and the duality of paternalism in labor practices. Cowie's insights shed light on Alabama's tumultuous political evolution and its lasting legacy.