Defining Documents in American History – serie

Provides readers with a new, interesting way to study the impact of the Vietnam War on American history. Through in-depth analysis of important primary documents from 1956-1975, readers will gain new insight into the causes, issues and lasting effects of this pivotal time in American history.

These volumes explore the five freedoms protected in the First Amendment—speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Together, these five guaranteed freedoms make the people of the United States the freest in the world. There is no age or citizenship requirement to exercise your First Amendment—they are guaranteed the day you are born as long as you are in the U.S. Few Americans would question the importance of the First Amendment, despite the misunderstanding that often swirls around the principles embodied in these freedoms. From the birth of the First Amendment in 1789 to today, most Americans exercise these rights every day.

While there are many definitions of domestic terrorism, it is largely characterized as terrorism in which the perpetrator targets his/her own country. Also called homegrown terrorism, domestic terrorism is defined by the U.S. State Department as "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." The two largest categories of domestic terrorism (DT) or domestic violent extremism (DVE) are: racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism; and anti-government or anti-authority extremism.

Also known as the Great Northward Migration and the Black Migration, this movement of more than six million African Americans from American's rural southern regions to its urban northern regions occurred over more than 50 years, from 1916 to 1970. Some historians separate this great move into two periods — the first from 1916 to 1940, during which 1.6 million people moved from the rural south to the industrial north, and the second following the Great Depression, from 1940 to 1970, which saw more than 5 million people, many with urban skills, move north and west.Two main causes for this massive migration were poor economic conditions and racial segregation and discrimination in Southern states when Jim Crow laws were upheld. The Great Migration was historic for its sheer number, called ""the largest and most rapid internal movements in history."" It also brought historic change to the cities the migrants moved to, where African Americans established influential communities of their own at a time when these cities were already exerting cultural, social, political, and economic influence in the country.

This volume analyzes the sections of the Constitution itself, and its amendments, as well as other documents that have played a significant role in its creation and adherence.The Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1788 and came into force the following year. As the supreme law of the country, it delineates the nation's frame of government and was originally comprised of seven articles. The first three articles put forth the separation of powers (three branches of government), the next three embody the concepts of federalism (rights and responsibilities of the states in relationship to the federal government), and the last article established the procedure used by the then 13 states to ratify it. It has been amended 27 times to meet the needs of a nation that has undergone profound change. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and deal with individual liberty. The majority of the remaining 17 amendments expand individual civil rights, with some relating to federal authority. The Constitution has remained in force for over two centuries due to the way the framers separated and balanced governmental powers. It is interpreted, supplemented, and implemented by a large body of federal constitutional law, and has influenced the constitutions of other nations.

Offers in-depth analysis of fifty-two documents, including agreements, book excerpts, constitutions, conventions, declarations,legislative acts, proclamations, speeches, statements, statutes, and treaties. These selections trace the evolution of human rights, in its many forms and contexts, from 539 BCE to today.

Workers are the backbone of the American economy, as in all nations, but their rights regarding wages, working hours, working conditions, and more, have not always been guaranteed. These rights evolved over time, with the advent of organized labor, and large-scale factors such as world wars and the effects of the Great Depression.As the burgeoning country was constructed, those workers soon rallied together and formed organizations such as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen—now part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters—which ushered in the era of the union.By the early 1900s, strikes and labor unrest grew larger and more violent. WWI interrupted labor around the world, resulting in women entering the workforce for the first time, occupying roles traditionally held by men.The roaring 1920s saw a decline in union participation, which continued throughout the Great Depression of the 1930s, as many union members could not afford to pay their dues. That all changed, however, with the enactment of the National Industrial Recovery Act, which finally gave workers the right to organize into unions.This set, Defining Documents in American History: Workers’ Rights, offers in-depth analysis of sixty documents, including addresses, correspondences, court decisions, editorials, essays, government legislation, interviews, manifestos, memoirs, newspaper articles, pamphlets, political tracts, and speeches. These selections help define events surrounding the tumultuous progress of workers’ rights in the United States, including important strikes and movements, and the ensuing legal battles.The material is organized into five sections: American Labor from the Early Republic through the Populist Era The Rise of American Labor in the Progressive Era American Labor in the era of “Normalcy” American Labor in the New Deal Era and Second World War The Post-War Struggles of the American Labor Movement Each section begins with a brief introduction that examines the importance of the topic through a variety of historical documents. The documents contained within these sections provide an overview of the history and significance of the process that entrenched workers’ rights in the U.S., and the many challenges, legal battles, and violent confrontations that occurred along the way, shaping American history in the process.Each historical document is supported by a critical essay, written by historians, teachers, and researchers, that includes a Summary Overview, Defining Moment, About the Author, Document Analysis, and Essential Themes.An important feature of each essay is a close reading of the primary source that develops broader themes, such as the author’s rhetorical purpose, social or class position, point of view, and other relevant issues. Each essay also includes a section entitled Bibliography and Additional Reading that provides suggestions for further readings and research.Appendices in this book include: Chronological List which arranges all documents by date Web Resources, an annotated list of websites that offer valuable supplemental resources Bibliography lists of helpful articles and books for further study

The term “Watergate” has become synonymous with political corruption, intrigue and scandal, but what were the details of the events from 1972-1974 that led to the scandal becoming so well-known and climactic that it led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, and has reverberated throughout the years ever since?From the events leading up to the wiretapping of the Democratic Party's headquarters in 1972, to the investigative reporting of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and others that exposed the scandal to the general public, to Nixon’s eventual resignation after the “smoking gun” audiotape revealed the depth of his involvement, the Watergate scandal dominated the American consciousness and added to a growing sense of public mistrust during the 1970s. Details of the scandal were further entrenched with the release of Woodward and Bernstein’s non-fiction book All the President’s Men (1974) and subsequent movie adaptation in 1976, as well as Nixon’s own infamous interview with British journalist David Frost in 1977. It set the benchmark for scandals to come, with the “-gate” suffix becoming part of popular culture in relation to naming other corrupt, generally political, events.This volume explores the development of the scandal, its exposure and aftermath, and lingering effect on American politics. Documents examined include articles, committee transcripts, legislative debates, speeches, historical accounts, court cases, and more.

The Salem Witch Trials, which took place in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693, have become indicative of mass hysteria, religious extremism, and false accusations occurring outside the fair and just rule of law. But what may not be as commonly known is that they were part of a wider phenomenon at the time – a fear and prosecution of witchcraft stemming back to Europe in the 1400s that led to the deaths of upwards of 60,000 people, most of them women.In Europe, these witch-hunts were notably severe in the Holy Roman Empire, and reached a peak between 1560 and 1630, also occurring in Scotland and England, as well as other European nations to varying degrees. As the fervor in Europe began to wane in the latter half of the 17th century, the sentiment continued in the fringes and made its way to the New World, with the earliest documented execution for witchcraft occurring in Connecticut in 1647. Increasingly fearful and vitriolic rhetoric, publications attempting to prove the existence of witches and demons, and growing mass hysteria led to the dramatic and deadly events in Salem, in which more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft and more than 20 were put to death.This volume explores the development of witch-hunts in the New World, from early incidents in Connecticut to the major events in Salem, as well as precedents in Europe, and later cultural reverberations such as hysteria over perceived Satanic ritual abuse in the 1980s. Documents examined include historical accounts, book excerpts, court cases, religious doctrines, petitions, and more.

The Middle East and the United States have had a complex relationship, especially as it relates to the conflicts and wars that the region has endured over the past three centuries. The U.S. has engaged in military and covert operations with various groups and nations throughout the Middle East in an effort to protect its own interests, settle border disputes, and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Shifting alliances and humanitarian crises have led presidents from Eisenhower to Trump to develop specific doctrines to uphold some regimes, dampen the influence of other world powers, especially Russian, and to wipe out the cells that have spawned some of the world’s most terrifying extremist groups, including the Taliban and the Islamic State. The two-volume set includes in-depth chapters that provide a thorough commentary of significant primary source documents.

This title covers important historical documents from influential figures in Native American history. Readers will find in-depth analysis of a broad range of historical documents, including speeches, letters, legislation, court cases, and other sources about Native Americans. The set provides detailed, thought-provoking analysis of:Iroquois Thanksgiving AddressTecumseh: Speech to Governor Willian Henry HarrisonIndians of All Tribes Occupation of Alcatraz: ProclamationAndrew Jackson on Indian RemovalZitkala-Sa: Old Indian LegendsEach in-depth chapter guides readers with historical insight and comprehension. Written by historians and teachers, several elements explain the document’s historical impact and provide thoughtful critical analysis, including a Summary Overview, Defining Moment, Author Biography, Document Analysis, and Essential Themes. Plus, an historical timeline and bibliography of important supplemental readings will support readers in understanding the broader historical events covered.From the first meetings between Native Americans and European settlers to twentieth-century events, this set provides thoughtful analysis of documents and speeches allowing readers to gain a better understanding of this crucial topic in American history. An important resource for the history collections of high schools, undergraduate libraries and public libraries.

The tension between openness and transparency with the need to keep information secure and out of the hands of an enemy has been at the heart of some of the most riveting episodes in American history. This title provides primary documentation on the secrets, leaks, and scandals throughout all of America's history.

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Americans enjoy many fundamental rights and freedoms that are protected by the Constitution. However, what are the ramifications when censorship occurs, and from where does the perceived need for censorship arise in the first place?Censorship can occur in all levels of society, no matter how free and democratic they may be, from schools banning certain books, to movies and music being regulated and age-restricted, to outspoken advocates of various causes being stifled in promoting their views.Censorship is not a cut-and-dry issue – there are many sides at play in any instance of censorship, from those who seek to prevent certain content from being accessed, to those who seek to promulgate that information and even subvert attempts at censorship.These volumes present sixty-five primary source and historical documents including book excerpts, court opinions, debates, and interview letters, to name a few. Defining Documents in American History: Censorship explores historical examples of censorship in the United States, from the banning of James Joyce's "Ulysses" due to concerns about obscenity, to Hollywood’s creation of the Hays Code to regulate sensitive topics such as sex and violence in movies, to repeated challenges over controversial books such as The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird in schools. It also touches on The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) creating the parental advisory label in 1987 to warn consumers of explicit content in music, and other modern examples of censorship in the media as the landscape shifts away from traditional means of conveying information.The material is organized into seven sections, each beginning with a brief introduction that examines the importance of the topic through a variety of historical documents. The seven sections include:  The Colonial Era and the Early United States (1607–1829) Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction Eras (1840–1877) Industrialization and Reform (1878–1918) Interwar Period and WWII (1919–1945) Cold War and Red Scare (1946–1950s) Civil Rights, Vietnam, and Culture Wars (1960s–1990s) Post-9/11 Security, the Digital Age, Book Bans, and Social Media (2000s–2025) The documents contained within these sections provide an overview of the history and significance of censorship in American society, exploring the immediate repercussions as well as the long-term effects these events had in reshaping American society. Documents examined include historical accounts, court cases, news articles, and more.Each Historical Document is supported by a critical essay, written by historians, teachers, and researchers, that includes a Summary Overview, Defining Moment, About the Author, Document Analysis, and Essential Themes. An important feature of each essay is a close reading of the primary source that develops broader themes, such as the author’s rhetorical purpose, social or class position, point of view, and other relevant issues. Each essay also includes a section entitled Bibliography and Additional Reading that provides suggestions for further readings and research.Appendixes in this book include: Chronological List, which arranges all documents by date. Web Resources, an annotated list of websites that offer valuable supplemental resources. Bibliography lists of helpful articles and books for further study.

These volumes present over one-hundred primary source and historical documents including book excerpts, court opinions, debates, and interview letters, to name a few. Each document provides insights into the significance of events surrounding conservativism in the United States, from the publication Andrew Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth” in 1889 to Donald Trump’s implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in 2025.Conservatism has played a major role in U.S. politics since at least the Reagan era, and going back to the Nixon administration and before. Conservatism is a political and social ideology that emphasizes the importance of tradition, established institutions, and gradual change. Central aspects of conservatism include the value of national customs and institutions, a cautious approach toward immigration, the importance of authority and order, and a sense of loyalty to the nation and its founding principles. In recent decades conservatives, generally aligned with the Republican Party, have promoted limited government, military might, financial deregulation, and private enterprise as the way forward for the United States.Successful election results in recent years have seen the rise Christian nationalist politics and the emergence of Donald J. Trump as the new herald of a hardline conservativism, one, even, that challenges existing institutions. Yet conservative politics have continuously been challenged by liberal voices in the American polity, including mass movements against authoritarian conservative tendencies and wars of choice rather than necessity. Anti-egalitarian precepts held by Republican conservatives and harsh restrictions against immigrants have, likewise, been lamented by liberal, mostly Democratic opponents.Covering key moments and ideas from previous eras to today, this work explores this all-important thread in American political culture and how it has impacted the workings of government, the economy, national defense, international relations, law and society, domestic programs, and cultural values throughout U.S. history. The documents contained within these sections provide an overview of the history and significance of conservatism in American society, exploring important moments in the ideology’s development from the founding of the country to current times.These volumes present over one-hundred primary source and historical documents including book excerpts, court opinions, debates, and interview letters, to name a few. Each document provides insights into the significance of events surrounding conservativism in the United States, from the publication Andrew Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth” in 1889 to Donald Trump’s implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in 2025. The material is organized into four sections, each beginning with a brief introduction that examines the importance of the topic through a variety of historical documents. Traditional Conservatism and Anticommunism “Movement” Conservatism and Pragmatism Conservatism and Neoconservatism Hardline Conservatism and Trumpism The documents contained within these sections provide an overview of the history and significance of various forms of conservativism that have been present in the United States since its founding.Each Historical Document is supported by a critical essay, written by historians, teachers, and researchers, that includes a Summary Overview, Defining Moment, About the Author, Document Analysis, and Essential Themes. An important feature of each essay is a close reading of the primary source that develops broader themes, such as the author’s rhetorical purpose, social or class position, point of view, and other relevant issues. Each essay also includes a section entitled Bibliography and Additional Reading that provides suggestions for further readings and research.Appendixes in this book include: Chronological List, which arranges all documents by date. Web Resources, an annotated list of websites that offer valuable supplemental resources. Bibliography lists of helpful articles and books for further study.