First published 2009
Gordon Wood examines the early American Republic during its most turbulent quarter century. His narrative spans from 1789, when the national government began operations, through the conclusion of the War of 1812. Wood argues that the founding generation's expectations rarely matched reality. The founders despised political factions yet witnessed their inevitable rise. Some leaders envisioned America as a powerful fiscal and military state rivaling Britain and France, while others preferred an agrarian republic distinct from European models. By 1815, the nation had become something entirely different from either vision. Cultural hopes for American refinement gave way to popularization. Despite northern abolition and individual manumissions, slavery grew stronger by 1815 than it had been in 1789. Efforts to avoid European conflicts failed as America fought another war with Britain. Wood reveals how every aspect of American life transformed during this period. The book shows readers how a new generation emerged by 1815 with confidence about their country's future, despite the gap between founding ideals and messy realities.
Genres: history, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-drama
Setting: United States
Period: 1789-1815
778 pages · Hardcover · Oxford University Press