The American and British Debate Over Equality, 1776–1920 James L. Huston.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Huston, James L., 1947- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Equality.

Diplomatic relations.

Equality--Great Britain--History.

Equality--United States--History.

United States.

Great Britain.

United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain.

Genre:

History.

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (287 pages)

Place of Publication:

Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press, 2015.

Summary:

Historians have long contested the degree to which the central tenet of the Declaration of Independence - that all men are created equal - has manifested itself in American society and national policy. According to James L. Huston, many historians have focused too intently on class differences, slavery, and inequalities arising from ethnicity, sexuality, and gender, while overlooking important areas where notions of equality flourished during the century and a half after the Declaration's signing. In The American and British Debate over Equality, 1776-1920, Huston examines the egalitarian communities in rural northern American, particularlythose enclaves that differed from the openly aristocratic cities and town of the British Isles. In the aftermath of the American Revolution, British and American writers alike recognized that a growing philosophical rift divided the two nations: whereas Great Britain continued to embrace the inequality of its hierarchical class system, the United States professed alliegiance to democratic ideals of equality - limited though these were by racial and gender norms of the day. Huston argues that the two countries engaged in an intellectual debate during the next century engaged in an intellectual debate during the next century and a half over which ideal - equality or inequality - worked best in promoting social stability, political hegemony, and economic success. Exploring the effects of equality and inequality on many aspects of American life, he examines civil behavior, social customs, treatment of others, politics, education, religion, economic opportunity, and general public optimism. Drawing from decades of publications by American and British writers, Huston reveals the rhetorical strategies contemporary observers employed in defending or rejecting the organization of a society around broader notions of human equality. The American and British Debate over Equality, 1776-1920 informs the modern debate over equality and inequality, not by theorizing and philosophizing, but by offering a glimpse into the practical applications of a functioning egalitarian society as compared to one that extolled monarchy and institutionalized inequality. -- from dust jacket.

Contents:

The trumpet soundeth for equality : the enlightenment and the American Revolution

The fortress : the defense of inequality, 1750-1820

The duel begins

Equality, manners, and civility

Education and religion

Politics and equality : democracy as curse

American inequalities

Different paths : the United States and Great Britain, 1865-1920

Conclusion : the revival of the aristocratic ethos.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780807167465

0807167460

9780807167458

0807167452

OCLC:

1032810687