Turning Points-Actual and Alternate Histories: Manifest Destiny and the Expansion of America

by Rodney P. Carlisle (Editor), J. Geoffrey Golson (Editor)

Overview

In this unique reference, leading historians describe not only how the expansion of the American nation in the early 19th century was a turbaning point in U.S. history that led to the Civil War, but also alternative scenarios—what happened and what almost happened.

This volume poses "what if" questions about ten crucial "tipping points" in the history of U.S. expansionism between 1800 and the Civil War. It not only describes what happened—in the case of Lewis and Clark, the War of 1812, the Monroe Doctrine, railroads and telegraphs, the Mexican War, the gold rush, the Compromise of 1850—it also offers alternative scenarios, essays on what could have happened.

In this exciting and imaginative approach to history, students not only develop analytical skills by tracing the causes and effects of crucial events; they are empowered by the knowledge that at moments when history hangs in the balance, many paths are possible, and that they, as citizens, can tip the scale.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851098330
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/12/2007
Series:	Turning Points-Actual and Alternate Histories
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Rodney P. Carlisle, PhD, is professor emeritus of history at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, and vice president of History Associates Incorporated, Rockville, MD.

J. Geoffrey Golson is president and editor of Golson Books, Ltd., Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

Table of Contents

Contributors     xi
Introduction     xiii
Lewis and Clark     1
Introduction     1
Turning Point     4
Actual History     5
Alternate History     11
Discussion Questions     15
Bibliography and Further Reading     16
The War of 1812     17
Introduction     17
Turning Point     22
Actual History     24
Alternate History     32
Discussion Questions     38
Bibliography and Further Reading     38
The Monroe Doctrine     41
Introduction     41
Turning Point     46
Actual History     48
Alternate History     56
Discussion Questions     61
Bibliography and Further Reading     62
Railroads and Telegraph     65
Introduction     65
Turning Point     70
Actual History     73
Alternate History     78
Discussion Questions     81
Bibliography and Further Reading     82
The Texas Revolution     85
Introduction     85
Turning Point     93
Actual History     95
Alternate History     97
Discussion Questions     101
Bibliography and Further Reading     102
The Mexican War     103
Introduction     103
Turning Point     106
Actual History     108
Alternate History     114
Discussion Questions     118
Bibliography and Further Reading     119
The California Gold Rush     121
Introduction     121
Turning Point     123
Actual History     125
Alternate History     131
Discussion Questions     136
Bibliography and Further Reading     137
The Compromise of 1850     139
Introduction     139
Turning Point     142
Actual History     144
Alternate History     148
Discussion Questions     153
Bibliography and Further Reading     153
The Republican Party     155
Introduction     155
Turning Point     158
Actual History     160
Alternate History     168
Discussion Questions     173
Bibliography and Further Reading     173
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates     175
Introduction     175
Turning Point     177
Actual History     180
Alternate History     185
Discussion Questions     189
Bibliography and Further Reading     189
Major Documents Related to Manifest Destiny     191
Louisiana Purchase Treaty: April 30, 1803     191
The Texas Declaration of Independence: March 2, 1836     193
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: August 27, 1858     195
Gadsden Purchase: December 30, 1853     209
Chronology of Manifest Destiny, 1800-1860     213
Resources     225
Index     231

Editorial Reviews

Recommended. Undergraduate reference collections.” —Choice

From the Publisher