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FORMATION OF THE UNION1750-1829
To the Memory
The second volume of the EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY aims to follow out theprinciples laid down for "THE COLONIES,"—the study of causes rather thanof events, the development of the American nation out of scattered andinharmonious colonies. The throwing off of English control, the growth outof narrow political conditions, the struggle against foreign domination,and the extension of popular government, are all parts of theuninterrupted process of the Formation of the Union.
So mighty a development can be treated only in its elements in this smallvolume. Much matter is thrown into graphic form in the maps; theSuggestions for Readers and Teachers, and the bibliographies at the headsof the chapters are meant to lead to more detailed accounts, both ofevents and of social and economic conditions. Although the book includesthree serious wars, there is no military history in it. To the soldier,the movement of troops is a professional question of great significance;the layman needs to know, rather, what were the means, the character, andthe spirit of the two combatants in each case, and why one succeeded wherethe other was defeated.
To my colleague, Professor Edward Channing, I am indebted for manysuggestions on the first four chapters.
ALBERT BUSHNELL HART.
CAMBRIDGE, July 1, 1892.
During the five years since this volume of the Epochs of AmericanHistory was first issued, the literature of the subject has madeconstant advances; and hence the Suggestions for Readers and Teachers andthe bibliographies at the head of each chapter have been pruned, enlarged,and rewritten. The text has undergone fewer changes. The good-will ofusers of the book has pointed out some errors and inaccuracies, which havebeen corrected from time to time; and new light has in some cases dawnedupon the author. I shall always be grateful for corrections of fact or ofconclusions.
ALBERT BUSHNELL HART
CAMBRIDGE, July 1, 1897.
Each of the volumes in the series is intended to be complete in itself,and to furnish an account of the period it covers sufficient for thegeneral reader or student. Those who wish to supplement this book byadditional reading or study will find useful the bibliographies at theheads of the chapters.
For the use of teachers the following method is recommended. A chapter ata time may be given out to the class for their preliminary reading, or theparagraph numbers may be used in assigning lessons. From the references atthe head of the chapter a report may then be prepared by one or moremembers of the class on each of the numbered sections included in thatchapter; these reports may be filed, or may be read in class when thetopic is reached in the more detailed exercises. Pupils take a singularinterest in such work, and the details thus obtained will add a localcolor to the necessarily brief statements of the text.