Virginia's Attitude Toward Slavery and Secession

"Virginia's Attitude Toward Slavery and Secession" by Beverley B. Munford is a historical exploration of Virginia's reasons for leaving the Union and its complicated relationship with slavery before the Civil War. Munford argues that Virginians were not necessarily pro-slavery but were driven by a desire for independence and the right to govern themselves, believing the federal government was acting unfairly; the book examines the historical background and political atmosphere of Virginia before the war to show that the state valued freedom and was willing to fight against what it saw as unconstitutional actions, suggesting that Virginia's choice to secede was about protecting state rights more than supporting slavery.