Over the past two decades; historians have successfully disputedthe notion that American women remained wholly outside the realm of politics until the early twentieth century. Still; a consensus has prevailed that; unlike their Northern counterparts; women of the antebellum South were largely excluded from public life. With this book; Elizabeth Varon effectively challenges such historical assumptions. Using a wide array of sources; she demonstrates that throughout the antebellum period; white Southern women of the slaveholding class were important actors in the public drama of politics.Through their voluntary associations; legislative petitions;presence at political meetings and rallies; and publishedappeals; Virginia's elite white women lent their support to suchcontroversial reform enterprises as the temperance movement and the American Colonization Society; to the electoral campaigns of the Whig and Democratic Parties; to the literary defense ofslavery; and to the causes of Unionism and secession. Against the backdrop of increasing sectional tension; Varon argues; thesewomen struggled to fulfill a paradoxical mandate: to act both aspartisans who boldly expressed their political views and asmediators who infused public life with the "feminine" virtues ofcompassion and harmony.
#34580 in Books John Adams 1988-09-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x 1.45 x 6.14l; 2.11 #File Name: 0807842303690 pagesThe Adams Jefferson Letters The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. "My Friend! You and I Have Passed Our Lives in Serious Times."By Eric MayforthOur second and third presidents lived long lives for their time and were instrumental in epochal events in world history. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson not only helped build their new country and serve it as chief executives; but maintained a long but sometimes strained friendship from the 1770s until their deaths on; incredibly; the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This volume contains the complete correspondence between the two as well as between Jefferson and Abigail Adams.Adams and Jefferson were ambassadors to Britain and France; respectively; in the 1780s; and their correspondence during those years dealt with issues involved in helping their new country get its footing in the world--they discussed treaties; trade and commerce; national credit; threats of war; and the proper size and strength of our military. Letters during this time touch on differences between the characters of England and France and between those of England and America. Some of the letters exchanged during their diplomatic posts were even written in code.After the two returned to the United States; there was a hiatus in the correspondence since the two were working in government and could talk to each other face-to-face. After the epic election of 1800 in which Jefferson unseated Adams; the friendship cooled for many years. Abigail Adams made an effort at reconciliation in 1804; but the letters exchanged in that year reveal partisan strife that was still too strong in that moment; and the wounds from 1800 had not yet healed.Adams had been out of office for eleven years and Jefferson for three in early 1812 when the two finally reconciled. They then focused on larger philosophical issues--the long list of topics broached in their later years included science; religion; the improvements of the eighteenth century; philosophy; marriage; aristocracy; education; the future of America; banks; books; free speech and thought; the afterlife; language; dealing with slander; and even whether life was worthwhile. The two did not totally neglect politics in their retirement correspondence; though; reflecting back on the Revolution and other political issues; including political science; and noting that they were two of the last of the Revolutionary generation to survive. In their very last years; they frequently discussed aging; life in retirement; and health issues.When reading these letters; the ways in which life was different then are brought home; including slow travel and communication and customs no longer observed. However; the letters also show the commonalities about life in any century; including big historical happenings; and it is fascinating to read Jefferson and Adams react to Shays' Rebellion; the Constitutional Convention; the War of 1812; the Napoleonic Wars; the Panic of 1819; and the election of John Quincy Adams to the presidency as those events happened. Readers will find that sayings such as "irons in the fire;" "in the dumps;" and "the cat is out of the bag" were already in use two centuries ago.These letters show that Jefferson and Adams had differences in personality and temperament; but both were supremely consequential statesmen and political philosophers; and the country is fortunate that this correspondence was preserved for future generations of Americans to read. This volume has a good preface and introduction; and history buffs who tackle this long correspondence will likely be glad that they did so.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. American Legends - devoted friendsBy Mike Kolls for CongressWhat did these Founding Fathers discuss; via post; from 1777 to 1826? Surprisingly; very little was “said†about The Constitution of the United States (1789).As foreign ambassadors for the Washington administration they prodded Europe looking to fund the debt caused by the Revolutionary War. The novice Jefferson often yielded to his mentor Adams. There was great respect and personal affection between them.Then a long silence following the election of 1800 (where Jefferson defeated Adams). Their correspondence resumed because of Abigail Adams. The letters between Abigail and Jefferson in 1812 are a national treasure; a must read.The social customs of the 18th century are brought to life. They also exchanged information on their various personal interests and some curious musings. Several letters made assumptions about the ancestry of Native Americans. What did they think of Benjamin Franklin? Who fancied fine wine?Because Adams served as President between Washington and Jefferson; he was “forgottenâ€â€¦ at least by me. I have a much higher opinion of Mr. Adams (and Mrs. Adams) after reading these letters. I also now see Thomas Jefferson in other ways; beyond a great thinker.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Dialogue; A National Treasure. Ciceronian QualityBy Kevin O'ShaughnessyIn history; I find it best to read; if possible; the primary-source materials from key individuals. This is especially the case when those individuals are such great writers. Ditch the textbooks and go for material like this. While some of the letters date from the tumultuous years of the revolution; the bulk of the letters date from 1812-1826; when Adams and Jefferson were elder statesmen.
