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Loading... The American Revolution of 1800by Dan Sisson
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A very academic history, in which the author spends a great deal of time defining what "revolution" and "faction" meant to the typical 18th-century person. Once the reader is thoroughly convinced of the violent nature of 18th-century revolution and political faction, the author presents his thesis that the so-called "Revolution of 1800" was indeed a revolution because it involved the peaceful transfer of power between opposing factions (or political parties, as we might call them today). While a compelling argument, it was also a predictable one. This work may be of interest to those who thoroughly enjoy early American history, as long as they are not dissuaded by the long-winded chapters and academic discussion of word meanings. ( ) no reviews | add a review
In this brilliant historical classic, Dan Sisson provides the definitive window into key concepts that have formed the backdrop of our democracy: the nature of revolution, stewardship of power, liberty, and the ever-present danger of factions and tyranny. Most contemporary historians celebrate Jefferson ?s victory over Adams in 1800 as the beginning of the two-party system, but Sisson believes this reasoning is entirely the wrong lesson. Jefferson saw his election as a peaceful revolution by the American people overturning an elitist faction that was stamping out cherished constitutional rights and trying to transform our young democracy into an authoritarian state. If anything, our current two-party system is a repudiation of Jefferson's theory of revolution and his earnest desire that the people as a whole, not any faction or clique, would triumph in government. Sisson's book makes clear that key ideas of the American Revolution did not reach their full fruition until the "Revolution of 1800," to which we owe the preservation of many of our key rights. With contributions by Thom Hartmann that bring out the book ?s contemporary relevance, this fortieth anniversary edition contains new insights and reflections on how Jefferson ?s vision can help us in our own era of polarization, corruption, government overreach, and gridlock. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)973.4History and Geography North America United States Constitutional period (1789-1809)LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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