Smith explores Hayek’s views on intellectuals, whom Hayek called professional secondhand dealers in ideas.

Smith discusses the importance of Garrison’s call for the free states to secede from the Union, and the eventual disagreement with Frederick Douglass.

Smith discusses Birney’s eventual opposition to the American Colonization Society and why he embraced abolitionism instead.

Smith discusses the interesting case of James Birney, who freed his slaves and became a prominent abolitionist.

Smith discusses some circumstances that led to the formation of the abolitionist Liberty Party in 1840.

Smith explains how some Southerners defended chattel slavery by contrasting it favorably with “wage slavery” in the North. 

How was the abolitionist Moncure Conway widely criticized by other American abolitionists for his peace proposal that would end the Civil War?

Smith discusses the doctrine of state sovereignty, as defended by Alexander Stephens, Thomas Jefferson, and John C. Calhoun.

Smith discusses plans for the abolition of slavery by radical members of the Republican Party.

Smith discusses some of the very few abolitionists who defended the right of southern states to secede from the Union.

Smith examines Lincoln’s views on slavery and some of his many disagreements with abolitionists.

Smith summarizes the arguments of delegates as to whether the slave trade should be prohibited in the Constitution.

Smith explains some features of the slave trade and the constitutional provision that it would not be banned in America for at least 20 years.

Smith discusses some controversies over slavery during the framing of the Constitution, especially the three-fifths clause.

Smith discusses some early justifications of slavery and how they repudiated natural rights.

Smith details the scholarly debate between Lysander Spooner and Wendell Phillips over the constitutionality of slavery.

Smith discusses the schism in the abolitionist movement over the constitutionality of slavery, and he begins his analysis of Lysander Spooner’s arguments in The Unconstitutionality of Slavery.

Smith begins his explanation of why so many abolitionists joined the crusade for the legal prohibition of alcohol.