The Empire of Liberty continues the Oxford History of the United States series, which has featured past Pulitzer Prize winners What Hath God Wrought, Battle Cry of Freedom, and Freedom From Fear. Another Pulitzer may be in the offing for the series thanks to Wood, who has previously won the Pulitzer for The Radicalism of the American Revolution.
Federalists Versus Republicans
The usual contentious events of the 1790's are covered by Wood: the implementation of Alexander Hamilton's financial program, Citizen Genet's visit, the Jay Treaty, and the Quasi War with France. The intensity of the national debate between the "monarchical" Federalists and the Republicans who wanted to protect the Revolutionary principles fill the pages.
The leader of those Republicans, and star of Wood's book, was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson wanted to eliminate anything that smacked of Old World oppression and aristocracy, which he believed the Federalists represented. But certain readers might have a problem with Jefferson's dominance in the book. Some might argue that Hamilton or George Washington deserves the prime focus.
The Rise of the Middle Class
With the unleashing of Republican egalitarianism came the rise of the "middling sorts" as Wood calls the middle class. Ambitious commercial farmers, artisans, merchants, and shopkeepers intensely pursued wealth. This also gave rise to invention, as ordinary people with mechanical talent, like Oliver Evans (high-pressured steam engine) fueled the manufacturing sector. Only the aristocracy and educated could pursue inventions in Europe.
But most of the money making was in the north. In fact, frequently throughout the book, Wood has phrases such as "In the north..." and "In the south..." North and south were developing two distinct societies. As the egalitarian spirit led northerners to vanquish slavery, southern planters blunted that spirit to maintain their hierarchical society and strengthen slavery.
Second Great Awakening
Wood traces the spread of egalitarian republicanism to religion. In the Second Great Awakening, the people desired to take charge of their faith and salvation by eliminating the educated monarchical clergy. New denominations were created, from utopian Shakers to various sects of Baptists. Wood describes scenes where self-trained ministers preached at revivals, like Cane Ridge, Kentucky in 1801, with people powerfully moved into a frenzy or prostration.
Republicanism also found its way to the college campus. Students were caught up in the egalitarian fever and rebelled with violence against any attempt at restraint by college administrators. Wood's admission that student violence was at its highest point in the nation's history during this period is a surprise, especially when one considers the campus strife of the Vietnam War era.
Art, law, drinking, literature, and more are covered by Wood as well. The result is a well-rounded account of the early republic from the 1780's to the War of 1812. Empire of Liberty is a good source of information for the novice and the expert of the period.
Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic 1789-1815
Oxford University Press, 2009, 777 pages, ISBN 978-0-19-503914-6
William L. Wunder - BA in History, University of Iowa, 1994, with Dean's List honors. History Buff- constant reader of books in American ...
