American history from a global perspective : an interpretation / David J. Russo ; Jon L. Wakelyn, advisory editor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Russo, David J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National characteristics, American.

United States--History.

United States.

United States--Historiography.

United States--History--Cross-cultural studies.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (453 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This study is the first interpretive text for the study of American exceptionalism and the first overall assessment of geographic, political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of the American past written from a global perspective. Russo argues that life in the United States can be better understood if it is examined from either a wider perspective-the English speaking world, the Western Hemisphere, Western Civilization-or a narrower perspective-regional and local variations. Even when the Americans were innovative-in their multi-ethnic and multi-racial society, in their egalitarian social beliefs, in their political democracy-their innovations were soon copied by others. Therefore, Russo argues, they are no longer distinctly American. Using nations as the basis for fields of study can both reveal and distort the historical record. When one considers different perspectives, America's uniqueness recedes in importance. American culture was a variant of a wider Western culture. The American economy was an extension of Western capitalism, whether agrarian, commercial, or industrial. American society was a Western society with racial castes and multi-ethnic additions to the population. American government functioned like other Western governments, even with innovative forms: Republican, then democratic. The American past is thus seen to be far less distinctive than previous syntheses have assumed.

Contents:

Cover

American History from a Global Perspective

Contents

Preface

Introduction

PROLOGUE: THE AMERICANS

1 The Native Tribes

2 The English Colonists

3 The Black African Slaves

4 The Other Americans

5 Multiethnic, Multiracial Americans

6 Conclusion

PART I THE AMERICAN POLITY

7 Colonial Politics

8 The Revolution

9 The Constitution

10 Republicanism

11 Federalism

12 Constitutional Interpretation

13 Philosophical Positions

14 Governmental Structures

15 The Party System

16 Governmental Functions

17 Domestic Policy

18 Foreign Policy

PART II AN AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY

19 The Environment

20 Territory

21 Occupation

22 Settlement

23 Transportation/Communication

24 General Economic Developments

25 Agricultural and Extractive Activity

26 Commercial and Industrial Activity

27 Public and Private Sectors

PART III AMERICAN SOCIETY

28 Social Structure

29 The Family

30 Population Growth

31 Social Behavior

32 Social Reform

PART IV AMERICAN CULTURE

33 Religion

34 Education

35 Thought/Science/Medicine

36 Art/Entertainment

37 Leisure/Recreation

PART V AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND IDENTITIES

38 The Changing Nature of Community

39 Rural Areas and Small Local Communities

40 Cities

41 Colonies and States

42 Regions

43 Subnational Forms of Identity

44 Nationalism

Conclusion

Bibliographical Essay

THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

TRANSNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

The World

Europe

Asia

Africa

Middle and South America

White Settler Societies

The Anglo-American Connection

Particular Subjects in a Transnational Perspective

Revolution

Nationalism

Government Policy

Family Life

Slavery and Race

Reform

The Woman's Movement

Cities.

Index

About the Author.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9798400610820

9780313002960

0313002967

OCLC:

55002866