Making of America (Kanefield)

The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers. But Hamilton's vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak. The disputes that arose during America's first decades continued through American history to our present day. Over time, because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out. Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream-a poor immigrant who made good in America. In the end, Hamilton rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability, and did more to shape our country than any of his contemporaries. Related subjects and concepts discussed in the book include: Law and Legal Concepts Due process Bill of Rights Freedom of Speech and the Press Originalism / nonoriginalism (theories of Constitutional interpretation) Government Checks and Balances Democracy Electoral College Republic Financial Concepts Capitalism Credit Inflation Interest Mercantilism Securities: Stocks and Bonds Tariffs Taxes Miscellaneous Demagogues Dueling Pastoralism About the Series The Making of America series traces the constitutional history of the United States through overlapping biographies of American men and women. The debates that raged when our nation was founded have been argued ever since: How should the Constitution be interpreted? What is the meaning, and where are the limits of personal liberty? What is the proper role of the federal government? Who should be included in "we the people"? Each biography in the series tells the story of an American leader who helped shape the United States of today.

Andrew Jackson tells the story of one of our most controversial presidents. Born in the Carolina backwoods, Jackson joined the American Revolutionary War at the age of thirteen. After a reckless youth of gunfights, gambling, and general mischief, he rose to national fame as the general who defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson ran for president as a political outsider, championing the interest of common farmers and frontiersmen. Determined to take down the wealthy, well-educated East Coast "elites," he pledged to destroy the national bank-which he believed was an engine of corruption serving the interest of bankers and industrialists. A stanch nationalist, he sought to secure and expand the nation's borders. Believing that "we the people" included white men only, he protected the practice of slavery, and opened new lands for white settlers by pushing the Native people westward. Jackson, a polarizing figure in his era, ignited a populist movement that remains a powerful force in our national politics.

This biography for young readers explores the life of the controversial seventh U.S. president, as well as his successes, failures, and legacy. Born in the Carolina backwoods, Andrew Jackson joined the American Revolutionary War at the age of thirteen. After a reckless youth of gunfights, gambling, and general mischief, he rose to national fame as the general who defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson ran for president as a political outsider, championing the interest of common farmers and frontiersmen. Determined to take down the wealthy, well-educated East Coast "elites," he pledged to destroy the national bank-which he believed was an engine of corruption serving the interest of bankers and industrialists. A staunch nationalist, he sought to secure and expand the nation's borders. Believing that "we the people" included white men only, he protected the practice of slavery, and opened new lands for white settlers by pushing the Native people westward. Jackson, a polarizing figure in his era, ignited a populist movement that remains a powerful force in our national politics. The book includes selections of Jackson's writings, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index.

The third installment of the Making of America series, Abraham Lincoln, tells of one of our most beloved presidents. Born in a cabin deep in the backwoods of Kentucky, growing up in a family considered "the poorest of the poor," Lincoln rose to become the sixteenth president of the United States. As president, he guided the United States through the Civil War, helped end slavery in America, and strengthened the federal government. Unlike other biographies, the Making of America series goes beyond individual narratives linking influential figures to create an overarching story of America's growth. The first three books in the series, read together, tell the story of American constitutional history from the founding of the nation through the end of the Civil War. The stories can also be read on their own and are the perfect way to get young readers excited about American history. The book includes selections of Lincoln's writing, a bibliography, and an index.

This biography for young readers examines the life of the sixteenth U.S. president and the constitutional issues that arose during his administration. Praise by many as America's greatest president, Abraham Lincoln guided the country through the Civil War and was the Great Emancipator who freed the enslaved and paved the way for the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. Lincoln was denounced by others as a tyrant who trampled the Constitution, denied individual liberty, and failed to avert the war that left more than six hundred thousand American soldiers dead. Born in a cabin deep in the backwoods of Kentucky, growing up in a family considered "the poorest of the poor," Lincoln rose to become a highly respected lawyer and stateman. He often used different arguments with different people depending on the needs of the moment, leading one exasperated opponent to call him two-faced, and leaving others to marvel at his effectiveness as a politician and leader. A practical statesman and not an idealist, Abraham Lincoln knew he could not accomplish all he set out to do, but he remained alert for opportunities to achieve his long-desired objective of liberty and justice for all. The book includes selections of Lincoln's writing, a bibliography, and an index.

In the fourth installment in the Making of America series, Susan B. Anthony, Teri Kanefield examines the life of America's famous suffragette. Anthony was born into a world in which men ruled women: A man could beat his wife, take her earnings, have her committed into an asylum based on his word, and take her children away from her. While the young nation was ablaze with the radical notion that people could govern themselves, "people" were understood to be white and male. Women were expected to stay out of public life and debates. As Anthony saw the situation, "Women's subsistence is in the hands of men, and most arbitrarily and unjustly does he exercise his consequent power." She began her public career as a radical abolitionist, and after the Civil War, she became an international figurehead of the women's suffrage movement. The book includes selections of Anthony's writing, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index.

This biography for young readers explores the life of the thirty-second president, who lifted the United States from depression to global leadership. When Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected president in 1933, America was in the throes of the Great Depression-the worst economic crisis in U.S. history-and the world was experiencing a menacing rise in Nazism and other dangerous extremists. Throughout his four presidential terms, Roosevelt was a steady and inspiring leader. He implemented progressive social reform through his New Deal agenda and helped lift America from economic crisis. He guided America to victory in World War II. Born into wealth and privilege, Roosevelt entered politics at a young age. His career and world views were shaped by his marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt and his long struggle with polio. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our thirty-second president, forever left his mark on our nation and the world. By the time of his death, America had grown to a global economic and military superpower. His New Deal legislation changed the relationship of American citizens to their government. His policies came close to fully realizing Alexander Hamilton's vision of a government that touches and improves the lives of all citizens. The book includes selections from Roosevelt's writings, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index. "Kanefield provides readers with an intimate examination of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. . . . It flows in a friendly and welcoming style that reluctant readers will appreciate. . . . A solid account for both history buffs and report-writers." -Kirkus Reviews "Neither hagiography nor a hatchet job, this evenhanded overview of FDR walks a middle path perfect for middle grade readers. A commendable addition to school and public library collections." -School Library Journal

This biography for young readers examines the life of a brilliant lawyer who successfully argued the case that ended legal racial segregation in America. Thurgood Marshall, the great grandson of a slave, was born at a time when African Americans were denied equal rights in America. Segregation was legal. Lynching was common. In some places, African Americans were entirely excluded from public life, they were forbidden to enter public parks and museums or use public swimming pools and restrooms. After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School because of his race, Marshall enrolled at Howard University. He graduated first in his class and set out as a young lawyer determined to achieve equality for all Americans. Here is the story of how he did it-how he devised his legal strategy for expanding "we the people" to include all people. Thurgood Marshall explores the life of the brilliant lawyer who successfully argued the case that ended legal racial segregation in America, following his childhood in Baltimore to his trailblazing career as a civil rights lawyer, and finally his years as a United States Supreme Court justice. This book includes a timeline, excerpts of Marshall's writings, source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

This biography for young readers examines the life of an American who advocated for women's rights and the abolishment of slavery. Susan B. Anthony was born into a world in which men ruled women. A man could beat his wife, take her earrings, have her committed to an asylum based on his word alone, and take her children away from her. While the young nation was ablaze with the radical notion that people could govern themselves, "people" were understood to be white and male. Women were expected to stay out of public life and debates. As Anthony saw the situation, "Women's subsistence is in the hands of men, and most arbitrarily and unjustly does he exercise his consequent power." She imagined a different world-one where women and people of color were treated with the same respect that white men were given. Susan B. Anthony explores her life, from childhood to her public career as a radical abolitionist to her rise to become an international leader in the women's suffrage movement. The book includes selections of Anthony's writing, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index. "Susan B. Anthony, who fought tirelessly for women to have the right to vote, is profiled in this very readable entry in the Making of America series." -Booklist