‘“There must be a new world if there is to be any world at all!”’: Thomas Carlyle’s illiberal influence on George Fitzhugh

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Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of British writer Thomas Carlyle on the Southern intellectual George Fitzhugh. While other scholars have emphasized Carlyle’s contri- butions to Southern slavery, they have so far omitted the broader scope of his illiberal effects. The author argues that Thomas Carlyle influenced George Fitzhugh’s belief in a reborn Southern nation with authoritarian characteristics. Carlyle’s writings over the decay of democratic societies along with his works on Prussia informed Fitzhugh’s beliefs in a reborn nation and what attributes this new society should uphold. Fitzhugh repeatedly turned to Carlyle to attack liberal democracy, to promote uni- versal slavery, and authoritarian leadership. Even after the American Civil War, Fitzhugh continued to use Carlyle as a source of inspiration in the Reconstruction period. This study advances the literature in delineating the multifaceted legacy of Carlyle’s impact in the American South. Furthermore, this article highlights the importance of tracing transnational illiberal networks to correct the image of Southern provincialism.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-97
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Political Ideologies
Volume29
Issue number1
Early online date12 Jan 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2024

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