For the people
Subtitle: American populist movements from the Revolution to the 1850s
By: Ronald P. Formisano
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Chapel Hill
Language: eng
Number of pages: 315
ISBN-13: 9780807831724
Subjects: Populism -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Populism -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Social movements -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Social movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Political culture -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Political culture -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Anti-Masonic movements -- United States -- History; United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865 -- Congress; United States -- Social conditions -- To 1865
Genres: Congress
Description: "For the People offers a new interpretation of populist political movements from the Revolution to the eve of the Civil War and roots them in the disconnect between the theory of rule by the people and the reality of rule by elected representatives. Ron Formisano seeks to rescue populist movements from the distortions of contemporary opponents as well as the misunderstandings of later historians. From the Anti-Federalists to the Know-Nothings, Formisano traces the movements chronologically, contextualizing them and demonstrating the progression of ideas and movements. Althought American populist movements have typically been categorized as either progressive or reactionary, left-leaning or right-leaning, Formisano argues that most populist movements exhibit liberal and illiberal tendencies simultaneously. Gendered notions of 'manhood' are an enduring feature, yet women have been intimately involved in nearly every populist insurgency. By considering these movements together, Formisano identifies commonalities that belie the pattern of historical polarization and bring populist movements from the margins to the core of American history." -- Jacket flaps.
Notes: "A Caravan book"--T.p. verso

Includes bibliographical references and index