Аннотация

Case studies in local history are still scanty and occasional in the American studies in Russia. In the long run a regional approach provides better understanding of the national politics, which was built predominantly along the regional lines before and after the Civil War. North Carolina Constitutions of 1776, 1835, and 1868 reflected certain specific local tendencies. North Carolina was backward economically, but enjoyed one of the most democratic Constitutions in the whole Southern region. This Upper South State was under strong constitutional influences of the neighboring Northern States. The slaveholding planters’ interests were much weaker there, and percent of free Blacks was high in antebellum years. That is why the Radical Reconstruction policy gained more supporters in this particular State. Vast majority of whites, and the whole Black population were strongly Republican there. Racial equality proved to be one of the most remarkable features of the North Carolina constitutional development after 1868.