The Only Things You Will Find in the Middle of the Road Are Double Yellow Lines, Dead Frogs, and Electoral Leverage: Mid-Atlantic Political Culture and Influence across the Centuries

Abstract

The Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, from its very inception, attracted visionaries, exiles, pacifists, and warriors—often united only by their suspicion of an overly assertive government. Over the course of the past four centuries, the Mid-Atlantic engendered melting-pot politics and a spirit of private initiative—allowing for partnerships with government when necessary. The middle of the Eastern Seaboard ultimately influenced the political culture of the middle of America—helping to bind the North together during the Civil War, laying the foundation for the New Deal, and continuing to influence national elections through the twenty-first century.