Synopses & Reviews
This primary source reader in the popular DISCOVERING series contains a six-part pedagogical framework that guides readers through the process of historical inquiry and explanation. The text emphasizes historical study as interpretation rather than memorization of data. Each chapter is organized around the same pedagogical framework: The Problem, Background, The Method, The Evidence, Questions to Consider, and Epilogue. The Seventh Edition integrates new documents and revised coverage throughout. For example, the Reconstruction chapter, appearing in Volumes I and II, now explores Thomas Nast's political cartoons and their effect on public opinion.
About the Author
William Bruce Wheeler received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1967. He is co-author of DISCOVERING THE GLOBAL PAST (2012), DISCOVERING THE AMERICAN PAST (2012), and DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST (2008). He has also written books on Tennessee history and the Tellico Dam. Susan Becker received her Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1975. Her areas of interest include U.S. social, cultural, and women's history. She has written THE ORIGINS OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (Greenwood Press, 1981), along with a host of articles on women's history. Lorri Glover received her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in 1996 and is the John Francis Bannon, S.J., Professor of History at St. Louis University. She is the author of SOUTHERN SONS: BECOMING MEN IN THE NEW NATION (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007) and is the newest co-author of DISCOVERING THE AMERICAN PAST, 7e (Cengage Learning, 2012).
Table of Contents
Note: Each chapter includes The Problem, Background, The Method, Questions to Consider, and an Epilogue. 1. First Encounters: The Confrontation Between Cortes and Montezuma (1519-1521) The Evidence: European Accounts: Letter by Cortes to King Charles V of Spain Artwork by Europeans Native American Accounts: Written impressions of Cortes by Aztecs "Flowers and Songs of Sorrow" Present-day adaptations of Aztec artistic works 2. The Threat of Anne Hutchinson The Evidence: Excerpt from the trial transcript of Anne Hutchinson 3. The Evolution of Colonial Chesapeake Society: A Statistical Analysis The Evidence: Statistics on population, migration, marriage, farms, distribution of slaves, wealth distribution, and tobacco growth in the Chesapeake Bay 4. What Really Happened in the Boston Massacre? The Trial of Captain Thomas Preston The Evidence: Map of the site of the Boston Massacre Excerpts from Captain Thomas Preston's deposition Excerpts from trial testimony of witnesses Drawing of position of "charged bayonets" Diagram of a musket Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre 5. The First American Party System: The Philadelphia Congressional Election of 1794 The Evidence: Background on the candidates Comments from newspapers Two opinions by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson on the Whiskey Rebellion Miscellaneous background information Map of Philadelphia wards Tables showing cost of living, wages, and occupations First-person accounts of the yellow fever epidemic, 1793 Map showing deaths from yellow fever Map showing congressional voting by wards 6. Land, Growth, and Justice: The Removal of the Cherokees The Evidence: White Sources: Excerpt from President Andrew Jackson's First Annual Message to Congress Excerpt from Thomas Jefferson's letter to Captain Hendrick regarding the decline of the Indian population Excerpt from "William Penn" (pseudonym for Jeremiah Evarts) Excerpt from Senator Theodore Frelinghuysen's speech to Congress Indian Sources: A petition by a Cherokee woman Excerpt from Cherokee leader John Ridge's letter to Albert Gallatin Excerpt from editorial in Cherokee Phoenix Excerpt from letter from John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation Excerpt from Memorial and Protest of the Cherokee Nation 7. Away from Home: The Working Girls of Lowell The Evidence: Excerpt from Boston Quarterly Review on slave labor versus free labor Excerpts from the Reverend Henry A. Mills, Lowell, As It Was, and As It Is Timetable of the Lowell Mills Excerpt from the Voice of Industry Title page of the Lowell Offering Selections from the Lowell Offering "Song of the Spinners" Selection from Lucy Larcom, A New England Girlhood Photos of women factory workers Letters from women factory workers Letters to Delia Page from family members 8. The "Peculiar Institution": Slaves Tell Their Own Story The Evidence: Reminiscences and narratives from former slaves Slave songs Excerpts from autobiographies of Frederick Douglass and Linda Brent (Harriet Jacobs) 9. The Diplomacy, Politics, and Intrigue of "Manifest Destiny": The Annexation of Texas The Evidence: Excerpt from a British newspaper Excerpt from a British pamphlet Excerpts of British and American diplomatic correspondence Excerpts from Thomas Hart Benton's memoirs Excerpt from American newspaper Excerpt from President John Tyler's Message to the U.S. Senate Excerpt from Anson Jones's diary Excerpts from papers of John C. Calhoun 10. "No More Pint O' Salt for Me": The Port Royal Experiment, 1861-1865 The Evidence: Education: Excerpts from observations of education in Port Royal Work and Land: Excerpts of military orders, diplomatic correspondence, personal letters, official reports concerning work and land Military Service: Excerpts from letters, testimonies, and correspondence on military service Attitudes Concerning African Americans Excerpts from a diary and articles on attitudes concerning African Americans 11. The Reconstruction Era: Farmers and Workers in the West and North, 1866-1877 The Evidence: Excerpts from Inspirational Literature: Writings by Horatio Alger and Russell Conwell Western Farms: Photos of sod houses Excerpts from observations, letters, circulars, and meeting notes concerning the lives of western farmers Northern Workers: Excerpts from letters, preambles, government reports, and autobiographies concerning the lives of northern workers