"Alabama's territorial and early statehood years represent a crucial formative period in its past, a time in which the state both literally and figuratively took shape. The story of the remarkable changes that occurred within Alabama as it transitioned from frontier territory to a vital part of the American union in less than a quarter century is one of the most compelling in the state's past. This history is rich with stories of charismatic leaders, rugged frontiersmen, a dramatic and pivotal war that shaped the state's trajectory, raging political intrigue, and pervasive sectional rivalry. Many of Alabama's modern cities, counties, and religious, educational, and governmental institutions first took shape within this time period. It also gave way to the creation of sophisticated trade and communication networks, the first large-scale cultivation of cotton, and the advent of the steamboat. Inside this story of growth and innovation is a parallel story -- the dispossession of Native groups of their lands and the forced labor of slaves, which fueled much of Alabama's early development." -- From publisher's description.