Contested Conventions - The Struggle to Establish the Constitution and Save the Union, 1787-1789 (Paperback)

There is perhaps no more critical juncture in American history than the years in which Americans drafted the federal Constitution, fiercely debated its merits and failings, and adopted it, albeit with reservations. In Contested Conventions, senior historian Melvin Yazawa examines the political and ideological clashes that accompanied the transformation of the country from a loose confederation of states to a more perfect union. Treating the 1787-1789 period as a whole, the book highlights the contingent nature of the struggle to establish the Constitution and brings into focus the overriding concern of the framers and ratifiers, who struggled to counter what Alexander Hamilton identified as the "centrifugal" forces driving Americans toward a disastrous disunion. This concern inspired the delegates in Philadelphia to resolve through compromise the two most divisive confrontations of the Constitutional Convention-representation in the new Congress and slavery-and was instrumental in gaining ratification even in states where Antifederalist delegates comprised a substantial majority. Arguing that the debates over ratification reflected competing ideas about the meaning of American nationhood, Yazawa illuminates the nature of the crisis that necessitated the meeting at Philadelphia in the first place. Contested Conventions is a cohesive and compelling account of the defining issues that led to the establishment of the Constitution; it should appeal to history students and scholars alike.

General

Imprint:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	October 2016
First published:	2016
Authors:	Melvin Yazawa
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 19mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	312
ISBN-13:	978-1-4214-2026-4
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > American history > 1500 to 1800 Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Constitution, government & the state Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > War & defence operations > Battles & campaigns Books > History > American history > 1500 to 1800 Books > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900
LSN:	1-4214-2026-0
Barcode:	9781421420264

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