Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
With a compilation of information that has never before been available in one source, this exhaustive reference work provides complete published election returns for all popular Congressional elections, including special elections, in the United States--over 36,000 since 1788. For all candidates, party affiliation, number of votes received, and percentage of popular vote are given. A brief history of congressional elections is provided, outlining the variations between states in the early years and detailing the changes caused by the Civil War and the Reconstruction era.
Synopsis
In 1763, King George III's government adopted a secret policy to reduce the American colonies to "due subordinance" and exploit them. This brought on the American Revolution. In Virginia, there was virtually unanimous agreement that Britain's actions violated Virginia's constitutional rights. Yet Virginians were deeply divided as to a remedy. Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the House of Burgesses 1766-1775 (and chairman of the First and Second Continental Congresses), worked to unify the colony, keeping the conservatives from moving too slowly and the radicals from moving too swiftly. Virginia was thus the only major colony to enter the Revolution united. Randolph was a masterful politician who produced majorities for critical votes leading to revolution.