For the People offers a new interpretation of populist political movements from the Revolution to the eve of the Civil War and roots them in the disconnect between the theory of rule by the people and the reality of rule by elected representatives. Ron Formisano seeks to rescue populist movements from the distortions of contemporary opponents as well as the misunderstandings of later historians.From the Anti-Federalists to the Know-Nothings; Formisano traces the movements chronologically; contextualizing them and demonstrating the progression of ideas and movements. Although American populist movements have typically been categorized as either progressive or reactionary; left-leaning or right-leaning; Formisano argues that most populist movements exhibit liberal and illiberal tendencies simultaneously. Gendered notions of "manhood" are an enduring feature; yet women have been intimately involved in nearly every populist insurgency. By considering these movements together; Formisano identifies commonalities that belie the pattern of historical polarization and bring populist movements from the margins to the core of American history.
#132828 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2007-02-26 2007-02-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x .80 x 6.10l; .98 #File Name: 0807858218320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I respect a slave who want to read and write better. During slaveryBy charmaine rileyI read this book for my upper level history class. First of all; I respect a slave who want to read and write better. During slavery; Whites did not allow masters and teachers to help slaves with writing and reading. After emancipation; slaves were eager to write their names on contracts. And read the bible. When educated black teacher taught students; some Whites became offensive and the Klu Klux Klan whipped Blacks. Life in the late 1800s was dangerous. Blacks walked a fine line between danger and safety in their communities. I believe today that the average black student does not know all the obstacles that an ex-slave endured. As an older student I enjoyed learning about the history of the black community's education and struggle for survival. I got an A on my history research paper; and I also enjoyed reading the book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. African-American Educational Pursuit At Its Best!By Anita M WhiteOne of the best books I have read surrounding the issue of early African-American interest in the importance of education. Personally; I believe the information included in this book could very well act as a catalyst to motivate some Black children to realize that Blacks have a legacy of commitment to education. I recommend this book for middle school and high school students. One does not get this type of African-American history in school.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Excellent descriptive work of African American education; but not powerfully interpretiveBy IoanaThis research is a much needed contemporary history of the education of African Americans in the South from slavery through reconstruction and the beginnings of the common (public) school. It addresses the question from the local; 'grassroots' perspective--Williams explores how blacks sacrificed to build schools; pay for teachers; advocate for their own education; and how these individuals striving for freedom inspired a movement for education across the South. Poor whites; seeing blacks entering schools; were driven to anger; jealousy; violence; and imitation. Some whites enrolled in freedpeoples schools; as they believed them superior to the poor white schools in the neighborhood (if there were any).Williams' work could definitely use an update and a broadening of perspective. Her research is education-centric--she does not consider broader social forces at play in her analysis; or if she does; she brings them up for a paragraph before moving on. In other words; she does not string her analysis along broader themes of race/ism; freedom; democracy; etc; all at play during this period. Education was in fact the very foundation of new conceptions of democracy: it was foundational to the ideology of freedom; and it was not coincidental that freedpeople associated education with a way up in the world. They were in some ways appropriating a republican ideology of free labor that valued education as foundational.By not considering the broader context--the North; the new forces of industrialization and the changing meaning of labor; contestations of freedom; and so on; Williams' point is less forceful; less connected. However; as descriptive work; and as *the* contemporary (21st century) work on the subject; this is definitely must-reading.
