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Category Archives: American History
Reflections on Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath
I participate as a scholar through the Oklahoma Humanities Council Let’s Talk About It Oklahoma series. Last night I addressed an audience in Broken Arrow about John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The gist of my comments follow: At his … Continue reading
Posted in American History, books, General Essays
Tagged books, Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
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Narrative History Rescues the Past
“Narrative History Rescues the Past”–You’re not likely to see this headlining the latest news feed, though subtle truth rarely makes the news. Moreover, narrative history is rarely sensational, rarely fantastic, and is (unfortunately) not imaginary, rather based on real people … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Biography, books
Tagged Biography, books, history, John Smith, Narrative history, The Sea Mark
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George Washington and Providence
Jeremy Belknap, a patriot, scientist, historian, and minister in the late eighteenth century, wrote during the War for Independence to his friend Ebenezer Hazard, praising General George Washington: “A man is never more truly noble than when he is sensible … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Biography, Christianity, God's Providence
Tagged Biography, George Washington, god, history, Providence
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Leadership? If Only Washington was President
If George Washington was President of the United States today, in 2016, would we have problems with anarchy in the streets, and the lack of leadership in domestic conflicts? In 1782/1783, the American Revolution was drawing to a close, and … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Biography, Government
Tagged Biography, George Washington, history, Leadership, Presidency
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The “Best Administered” Government
The Constitution developed a system of government, federalism, that ideally is the best form of government, a combination of republicanism and democracy that balances power between the legislative, executive, and judicial. Federalism means that the Constitution is based on a … Continue reading
What does the Pledge of Allegiance Mean?
In America, the education of citizens in government begins at a young age at public school, sports events, church meetings, and other public assemblies. At such places and events people of all ages look to the flag, a piece of … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Government
Tagged Citizens, Constitution, Government, Pledge of Allegiance, United States of America
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Crevecoeur’s Vision of America
The French writer and philosopher Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, wondered in Letters from an American Farmer, written in 1782, “What, then, is the American, this new man?” Crevecoeur, a European writing for Europeans, believed that the immigrants who crossed … Continue reading
In Praise of Every[hu]man
Pre-eminent American historian Carl Becker in 1931 sounded a theme for the 1930s when he pronounced, “Everyman His Own Historian.” The great American composer Aaron Copland in 1942 composed “Fanfare for the Common Man,” a wonderful piece for horns and … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Biography, books
Tagged Biography, books, Jean Louis Berlandier, Narrative history, Passaconaway's Realm
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Thomas Jefferson and the Idea of Revolution
Thomas Jefferson had a lifelong dream when he died on Independence Day, 1826. The epitaph that he composed to mark his passing highlighted the three great achievements of his life: creating the Declaration of Independence, penning the Statute of Religious … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Biography, Government
Tagged Independence, Revolution, Thomas Jefferson
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George Washington: The First (and Best?) President
In Philadelphia, the summer of 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention, following the lead of James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, decided that the office of a single executive, with his power checked and balanced by the Congress and Courts, … Continue reading
