Richard hofstadter, historian at columbia university, was a prolific writer and commentator on the gilded age and progressive eras, a founding member of the consensus school of american history, and a scathing critic of the conservatism of his day. By writing a kind of intellectual history of the assumptions behind american. By writing a kind of intellectual history of the assumptions behind american politics, richard hofstadter changed the way americans. Pdf teaching the american political tradition in a. Born in 1916, richard hofstadter was one of the leading american. Begun in 1943, when hofstadter was just twentyseven years old, and completed four years later, the american political tradition launched the. Abraham lincoln and the selfmade myth lincoln was shaken by the presidency.
In the paranoid style in american politics, acclaimed historian richard hofstadter examines the competing forces in american political discourse and how fringe groups can influence and derail the larger. A revised edition of the clasic study of american politics from the founding fathers to fdr. To the reader, hofstadters hatred of his native land seemed apparent and his filthy lies were clearly part of the wider assault on america that. I find it really throughout my reading life i have often dived into and been impressed with the book of douglas r.
The american political tradition is one of the most influential and widely read historical volumes of our time. Amidst the insults and accusations, the correspondent declared the work a rotten, disloyal book. American political thought arizona state university. Rejecting his earlier communist approach to history, in the 1950s he came closer to the concept of consensus history, and was epitomized by some of his admirers as the. Despite their distrust hofstadter makes it clear that the founders were committed to democracy. For me, the finest contribution of the american political tradition is its humane approach to people in the past. Vann woodward, and the literary and intellectual traditions of his own. A comprehensive account of the rise and fall of one of the major shapers of american foreign policy on the eve of his in. Demonstrates how the colonies developed into the first nation create. Richard hofstadter america as a gun culture genius. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. His works include the age of reform, antiintellectualism in american life, social darwinism in american thought, 18601915, the american political tradition, and others.
This study guide consists of approximately 29 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the american political tradition and the men who made it. Richard hofstadters the american political tradition 1948 depends for its reputation on the authors rich historiographical heritage, including the progressive vision of charles beard, a somewhat detached and ironic vision of america also shared with his friend, c. Anyone know where i can find chapter summaries outlines for the american political tradition. The american political tradition has become one of the most influential and widely read historical volumes of our time. The book has often been described as literary, which is a way of saying it is not as stilted and dry as most academic history or this blog post. Political economists of the laissezfaire school were saying that private vices could be public benefits, that an economically beneficent result would be providentially or naturally achieved if selfinterest were left free from state interference and allowed to pursue its ends. Ca 4no mis 6261684 the american political tradition due date the american political tradition and the men who made it b y richard hofstadter vintage books a division of random house new york vintage books are published by alfred a. The american political tradition and the men who made it cryptome. Shaped by his southern, civil war origins and convinced that he had an inside track to god, wilson sought to be the autocrat professor, whether at princeton university or the white house. Hofstadters introduction proposes that the major political traditions in the united states, despite contentious battles, have all. Using the excerpt from james madisons federalist 51, how did the founders check the failings of men.
Richard hofstadter is currently considered a single author. Hofstadter, american political tradition vintage paperback k. Though the american political tradition abstains from the insidethefield nitpicking that characterizes many of todays academic histories, it does implicitly. This dissertation examines the intellectual debate over the concept of laissez faire in american political thought, which took place between 1880 and 1914. Konrad adenauer of the christian democratic union, a veteran roman catholic politician from the rhineland, was elected the countrys first. Shortly after the publication of the american political tradition, richard hofstadter received a castigatory letter from an enraged reader. Jun 10, 2008 this timely reissue of richard hofstadter s classic work on the fringe groups that influence american electoral politics offers an invaluable perspective on contemporary domestic affairs. The american political tradition is on the american political tradition is one of the most influential and widely read historical volumes of our time. Miller, william, and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The united states the history of a republic by richard. Read the american political tradition pdf and the men who made it by richard hofstadter vintage the american political tradition is one. Political economists of the laissezfaire school were saying that private vices could be public benefits, that an economically beneficent result would be providentially or naturally achieved if selfinterest were left free from state interference and allowed to pursue.
The american political tradition was a plutarchian overview of illustrious american figures ranging from vivacious abolitionist wendell phillips to woodrow wilson as closeted conservative. Back in springfield, politics had been a sort of exhilarating game. Hofstadter s classic work points out the ambivalence tif those who wrote the constitution. His argument, that the american political tradition emphasizes capitalist order and stability but not democracy as some believes, has become one of the most contentious topics among historians. Introduction to american politics professor devin caughey. It was aimed at winning over a highminded american public. Understanding american political culture political culture can be understood as the set of beliefs, values, and symbols shared in common by a particular social group.
And the men who made it, by richard hofstadter excerpt from chapter 5. Richard hofstadter primary author only author division. Woodrow wilson 2002 this 2video the american experience biography captures the complexities of one of americas more unique presidential personalities. One of hofstadters last pieces, america as a gun culture, was published in american heritage in october 1970, a periodical that considers itself the preeminent popular american history. This timely reissue of richard hofstadters classic work on the fringe groups that influence american electoral politics offers an invaluable perspective on contemporary domestic affairs. The american political tradition and the men who made it is a chronological compilation of political profiles ranging from the founders through fdr. The american political tradition and the men who made it is a 1948 book by richard hofstadter, an account on the ideology of previous presidents of the united states and other political figures. And the men who made it discussion and chapter questions and find the american political tradition. The american political tradition richard hofstadter pdf and the. The government that emerged from the federal republics first general election in august 1949 represented a coalition of the christian democrats with the free democrats. This paper addresses the continued association of richard hofstadter with consensus history. Its elegance, passion, and iconoclastic erudition laid the groundwork for a totally new understanding of the american past. As hofstadter himself asserted, he had no agenda in writing his book other than attempting to take a closer, more objective view of the political thoughts and philosophies of prominent american statesmen and assessing how those perspectives contributed to the american political tradition.
Hofstadter examines the larger concepts and contributions that these men offered while describing their political relevance to american institutions. Hofstadter characterizes american culture in the late nineteenth. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. It uses documents drawn from hofstadters personal papers, those of his publisher alfred a. The american political tradition and the men who made it is the story of the major social and political figures in american history that shaped the institutions and practices of the united states. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Reflections on hofstadters the american political tradition. More specifically, it challenges the view that the origins of this conservative trend in american history can be located within the american political tradition. By writing a kind of intellectual history of the assumptions behind american politics, richard hofstadter changed the way americans understand the relationship. Pdf teaching the american political tradition in a global. Review of richard hofstadters the american political. The founding fathers, an age of realism thomas jefferson, the aristocrat as. The paranoid style in american politics, and other essays.
Richard hofstadter, the american political tradition and the men who made it hereafter cited as apt, chapter 1 inclass what is hofstadters interpretation of the basic motives and guiding principles of the men who drew up the constitution. The american political tradition ebook by richard hofstadter. It presents an account of how the concept of laissez faire rose to prominence in american political thought during the gilded age as well as an account of how critics responded. Buy a cheap copy of the american political tradition and the. Richard hofstadter, the american political tradition and the men who made it hereafter cited as apt,chapter 1 inclass what is hofstadters interpretation of the basic motives and guiding principles of the men who drew up the constitution. Though the american political tradition abstains from the inside the field nitpicking that characterizes many of todays academic histories, it does implicitly. Richard hofstadter, the american political tradition and the.
Richard hofstadter from the american political tradition richard hofstadter, one tifthe nations leading historians, explores the real thoughts and motivations behind the men whom all schoolchildren have been taught to revere as founding fathers. Richard hofstadter august 6, 1916 october 24, 1970 was an american historian and public intellectual of the mid20th century hofstadter was the dewitt clinton professor of american history at columbia university. Born in 1916, richard hofstadter was one of the leading american historians and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. Hofstadter is able to articulate, in a single work, a historical vision that inspired and shaped an entire generation. Feb 28, 2010 anyone know where i can find chapter summaries outlines for the american political tradition. These will either combine, under the influence of their common situation. President woodrow wilson university of wisconsinoshkosh. Read woodrow wilson the american presidents series.
Vann woodward, and the literary and intellectual traditions of his own time, running from marx to mencken. Germany political consolidation and economic growth. First published in 1948, its elegance, passion, and iconoclastic erudition laid the groundwork for a totally new understanding of the american past. Political science 17 introduction to american politics. The american political tradition and the men who made it. Richard hofstadter, historian at columbia university, was a prolific writer and commentator on the gilded age and progressive eras, a founding member of the consensus school of american history, and a scathing critic of the conservatism of his day over the course of his toobrief life, hofstadter penned numerous thoughtprovoking works, including the american political.
But the fathers were not so optimistic about politics. Germany germany political consolidation and economic growth, 194969. Read the american political tradition and the men who made it by richard hofstadter available from rakuten kobo. The american political tradition and the men who made it is a 1948 book by richard hofstadter, an account on the ideology of previous presidents of the united. Chapter ii concerns the life, politics and temperament of thomas. Due to their jobs, they had seen how bad human nature can be. Richard hofstadter, the american political tradition and. This is a study of the american core values by the famous consensus historian richard hofstadter. And the men who made it study guide questions and answers. The american political tradition and the men who made it by. This brisk, accessible american history explores the prerevolutionary war american colonial era and the foundations laid there not only for that war but for much of what makes america unique.
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