“Few...have so clearly won the right as has Charles A. Beard to swing loose from the concrete materials and bolstering authorities and tell the story of this continent on a grand free scale.” – The University of Chicago Press Journals
Were the Founding Fathers of the United States more motivated by economics than by philosophical principles? Was it precisely that successful vision which influenced America’s rise to power like a steady drumbeat after its founding?
That is what Charles and Mary Beard argue in their classic, bestselling work, "The Rise of American Civilization". America’s rise, they say, was driven by the convergence of economic, political, and social forces, including the growth of industry, the spread of democracy, and the rise of the middle class.
This completely reformatted work – two volumes now published as one for the 21st century –outlines a comprehensive overview of the early history of the United States, from the colonial period to the end of the Civil War.
This sweeping historical narrative goes beyond simply analyzing the role of the American Revolution in shaping the country's political and economic landscape, but re-examines the early history of the American economy, including the growth of commerce and industry, and the impact of slavery on the Southern economy. The book highlights the key events that marked the early years of the United States – from the agricultural revolution to the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
The authors emphasize the importance of the middle class in shaping American society – arguing that the growth of the middle class helped to establish a stable, democratic society in which individuals could pursue their own interests and aspirations. They also examine the role of women in shaping American society, including the impact of the women's suffrage movement and the growth of women's educational opportunities – as well as the growth of American nationalism (fueled by the country's economic prosperity), the spread of democracy, and the belief in American exceptionalism. The authors argue that this nationalism played a critical role in shaping the country's political and economic policies, as well as its place in the world.
This nuanced analysis of the key events and forces that shaped the country and highlight the role of the middle class, women, and nationalism in the rise of American civilization. The book remains a seminal work in American history and continues to be widely read and studied by scholars and students of history.
About the Authors: Charles Beard was a prominent historian and professor at Columbia University, known for his influential publications in the fields of history and political science. Mary Ritter Beard was a historian, author, women's suffrage activist, and women's history archivist who was also a lifelong advocate of social justice.
Chapters Include:
ENGLAND'S COLONIAL SECRET
LAYING THE STRUCTURAL BASE OF THE THIRTEEN COLONIES
THE GROWTH OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWER
PROVINCIAL AMERICA
THE CLASH OF METROPOLIS AND COLONY
INDEPENDENCE AND CIVIL CONFLICT
POPULISM AND REACTION
THE RISE OF NATIONAL PARTIES
AGRICULTURAL IMPERIALISM AND THE BALANCE OF POWER
THE YOUNG REPUBLIC
NEW AGRICULTURAL STATES
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY—A TRIUMPHANT FARMER- LABOR PARTY
WESTWARD TO THE PACIFIC
THE SWEEP OF ECONOMIC FORCES
THE POLITICS OF THE ECONOMIC DRIFT
DEMOCRACY: ROMANTIC AND REALISTIC
THE APPROACH OF THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT
THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION
ROUNDING OUT THE CONTINENT
THE TRIUMPH OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
RISE OF THE NATIONAL LABOR MOVEMENT
THE TRIPLE REVOLUTION IN AGRICULTURE
THE POLITICS OF ACQUISITION AND ENJOYMENT
MORE WORLDS TO CONQUER
THE GILDED AGE
IMPERIAL AMERICA
TOWARDS SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
AMERICA IN THE BALANCE OF POWER
THE QUEST FOR NORMALCY
THE MACHINE AGE
