In this innovative study; David Waldstreicher investigates the importance of political festivals in the early American republic. Drawing on newspapers; broadsides; diaries; and letters; he shows how patriotic celebrations and their reproduction in a rapidly expanding print culture helped connect local politics to national identity. Waldstreicher reveals how Americans worked out their political differences in creating a festive calendar. Using the Fourth of July as a model; members of different political parties and social movements invented new holidays celebrating such events as the ratification of the Constitution; Washington's birthday; Jefferson's inauguration; and the end of the slave trade. They used these politicized rituals; he argues; to build constituencies and to make political arguments on a national scale. While these celebrations enabled nonvoters to participate intimately in the political process and helped dissenters forge effective means of protest; they had their limits as vehicles of democratization or modes of citizenship; Waldstreicher says. Exploring the interplay of region; race; class; and gender in the development of a national identity; he demonstrates that an acknowledgment of the diversity and conflict inherent in the process is crucial to any understanding of American politics and culture.
#271262 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1988-09-09Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x 1.00 x 5.80l; 1.34 #File Name: 0807842214381 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent source of information and inspirationBy Connie K. GrahamExcellent source of information and inspiration. Gives a candid glimpse into the various schools of thoughts; motives; support efforts and struggles involved in education of African Americans from slavery to reconstruction. Takes a critical look at how Black people helped to shape their future by getting involved in developing and shaping their educational institutions; sometimes through cooperative subversion..0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Donna M. Jacksona serious but necessary read; densely packed with information.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Needed it for classBy John FoubergNeeded it for class
