OUT OF OUR PAST:
FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
By Carl N. Degler
Summer Reading Assignment for
American History Pre/AP
8/20/2007
Mr. Gronich
Chapter 1: The Beginnings
1. Discus the Puritans attitudes toward the pleasures of life.
The Puritans saw evil and sin everywhere. They felt their souls were in constant danger of
being condemned to hell. To avoid temptation, was a major reason for coming to America to
find the "New Jerusalem...” Examples of their attitudes towards the pleasures of life include:
laws that forbid laughing and music on the Sabbath, dress was conservative. Degler argues
that this was more a 17th century issue than pure puritan values.
2. What contributions to education did the Puritans make? Puritans created public
schools and the first colleges in the colonies. viewed education was important in being godly
and necessary for the continuation of society.
3. Explain why historians pose it that American democracy began in New England.
Starting with the Mayflower compact, which was a document of direct democracy, New
England settlements were tightly populated as villages or towns, therefore, because of the
compact population town meetings met often and continued the democratic process.
4. What role did the slave codes play in the colonial South? The Codes formalized or
legalized the repression and bigotry toward the slaves. Slave could not own property, could
not carry weapons, and were not allowed to interracially marry. Slaves were not allowed to
learn to read.
5. Which of the colonists had slaves as the majority of the population? The Southern
States.
Chapter 2: Awakening of the American Nationality
1. What was the primary economic occupation of the colonist? Farming or
Agriculture
2. What role did land play in colonial America? It was everything. Land created and
maintained equality in the colonies in that all could acquire it and be upwardly mobile. Land
was a magnet for immigration to America,
3. Identify the four non English ethnic groups: Germen, Dutch, Irish, Swedes
4. ***Explain the aspects of religious practices in colonial society that reveled that it
was increasingly secularized. Church attendance dropped. And while the religious aspects
feigned, the work ethic of hard work and a higher power continued and spread.
5. What role in and contribution to colonial society did the Great Awakening make?
The GA put emotion and passion into declining church attendance. The result was the
creation of new sect or branches of faith such as the Baptists and evangelicals. These new
churches to this day, are hugely important in politics ultimately replaced the Puritans. Today
the Baptists and the sub branches have created a devoted following
.
6. Explain why colonial America was considered a “paradise for women.” Women
could inherit land, work outside the home. The ratio of men to women were greatly gave
power to women in they were a scarce commodity.
7. **What documents were considered the governmental foundations of colonial
society
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
Chapter 3: A New Kind of Revolution
1. Explain why the French and Indian war was so significant to the British - Colonial
relations. The British were defending the colonists. The British did not think they fought as
hard as they could. The cost of the war was great. This war led to the infamous Stamp Act of
1765 which was the beginning that would lead to revolution.
2. Does Degler consider the American Revolution to have been caused by economic
or political factors? Explain his argument. Strictly political factors based on the ideas of the
enlightenment such as equality and the role of government by the consent of the governed.
3. Why does Degler argue that the American Revolution was basically “a
conservative reaction?” Degler argued that conservatives such as Adams, Washington, and
Hamilton all agreed that revolution was needed but only to replace British rule with a strong
central government but elected by the states. . In other words, Central gov. was not the
problem. They believed government rule should be local.
4. What made the A/R unique in World history? It was a first time where the
Colonials over through the Mother country. Also, this revolution was not about land, jobs or
money, The Revolution was based on a new notion of equality, and government deriving just
powers and consent of the governed. "We the People… "
5. Discuss Abigail Adams Contribution to the role of women. She was a strong
woman who encouraged her husband to give women a larger role.
6. Discuss the relationship between the state/government and religion once the
nation was founded. While there was mix of State and church in the using of buildings,
Churches were not taxed. But, religion was kept out of the state in you did not have to belong
to a church to hold office, vote or own land. etc.
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
Chapter 4: To Make a More Perfect Union
1. What does Degler say was the “irresistible magnet” for Americans: Land. Lots of
it and cheap!!!
3. Identify the source of the term Manifest Destiny. Define or explain it. John
O’Sullivan coined the term in a magazine article. MD means that it is America’s god given
right or providence that the continent be united from shore to shore.
4. Discuss the emergence and development of the transportation revolution: Starting
with roads came the building of canals as a cheap and quick way to move goods and uniting
communities and markets. Ultimately the steam engine would stretch from coast to coast as a
railroad. The River Boat would have full run north and south on the major rivers.
5. Discus the role of the various levels of government in the transportation
revolution.. Local governments contributed heavily in the creation of roads, and canals. The
federal government would often match funds. Private industry fought for locations of these
routes as to build industry, cities and development for speculators.
6. Explain Eli Whitney’s two innovations and their impact: The Cotton Gin made
farming cotton in the upper land very economical and thus expanding slavery greatly. His
second contribution was the riffle with interchangeable parts creating or foreshadowing the
industrial model of the future.
7. Explain the phenomenon of the Lowell Women: Local girls left the farm to work
in manufacturing and industrialization.
8. Explain the Turner Thesis what is the safety valve theory. What is Deglers’s
assessment of the Turner Thesis? Turner says the "land makes the man.." and Influence the
culture. Degler goes to great detail saying the rough land and living conditions were a
temporary condition in the home, papers, ideas and customs all remained pretty much the
same as back in the east.
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
Chapter 5: The Great Experiment
1. Explain how Andrew Jackson transformed the presidency: He was the first non
Secretary of State, The first to be President that was not from Virginia or Massachusetts. He
was not from a wealthy family. AJ came from the west Kentucky. He was seen as a common
man creating a common democracy. He replaced beurocrats with his own people creating the
Spoil system that continues to this day.
2. How did the spoils system support the notion of the common man? The winner of
the election in Jackson’s case, He put in supporters in offices that were not only political but
now bureaucratic making it possible for all to hold some office or benefit from a parties
election.
3. What was the typical American attitude toward property in the early 19th century
and give several examples how it was reflected: Property was the great equalizer. As Degler
pointed out two sons of different means could grow up as equals. Land encouraged people to
move west..
4. ****Why was the Commonwealth of Mass. V. Hunt (1842) a turning point case?
This case legalized Labor Unions
5. ***Identify several of the philosophical underpinnings and attitudes of the typical
in the early 19th century.
6. What was the contribution of Horace Mann to the improvement of society? Free
public education.
7. What were viewed as the aims of justifications for common public schools? An
educated society was needed to keep America running and business moving.
8. What institution did many Americans consider to be the greatest moral and social
issue? Slavery.
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 6: THE AMERICAN TRAGEDY
1. What factors were involved in firmly committing the South to cotton production as a cash
crop by the 1830s and 40s? The invention of the cotton gin allowed cotton to be picked cheaply in
the higher ground. The increased the exporting of this crop. While slavery before the Gin could have
faded the new production needed required the south to use and increase slave labor in larger
amounts.
2. Discuss the validity of the statement that "all southerners had large plantations and owned
numerous slaves." False as Degler points out that very few owned slaves as the common myth of the
large plantation. Most had no slaves and those who did had less than ten. Only the large plantation
which was very few in numbers had large populations of slaves.
3. Discuss the status of the Southern economy in the 1850s. While exports of cotton and
tobacco were substantial. The economy was primarily agrarian based, lagging behind the industrial
north. Large plantations were few but very powerful. Most did not own slaves and those that did
owned fewer than 10 and worked on family subsistence farms.
4. What can be pointed to that reflects the slaves' disdain for their condition of bondage? The
slave spiritual is a classic example of the slaves yearning to be free.
5. Discuss the status of the slaveholders in southern society. The slave holders or plantation
owners were also the political leaders therefore shaped public opinion and policy.
6. Explain the abolitionist’s argument for a "higher law." Higher law required "mans" law
and gods law are sometimes different and when gods law differs with mans law it is the duty to
observe gods law. The abolitionists viewed slavery as violating god’s law.
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 7: BRING FORTH A NEW NATION
1. For what three reasons does Degler posit that the War Between the States was a turning
point in United States history? 1) The question of slavery that has come to boiling point was finally
settled. 2) The southern succession from the union would have divided or attempted to make two
countries from our one nation. 3) The future dominance of the north economically and politically
and would continue as a result of reconstruction and the industrial revolution. The future of race
relations echoes to this day.
2. What role did women play during the War for Southern Independence in both the North
and the South? Both women went to work and took over households due to the men being at war or
men not returning from war.
3. Identify the various Republican Party programs initiated during and shortly after the War
of the Southern Rebellion.
1) Contract Labor Act allowed skilled foregoers to immigrate to the US.
2) The Homestead Act gave land (160 acres) to settlers out west encouraging development
and increased economical development.
3) The reinstatement of a National Bank or national paper note currency.
4. In what ways did the South attempt to establish a stable labor supply after the War of
Yankee Aggression? The South tried to create almost a feudal system based on the share cropping
system. Blacks worked the land and could keep a small share of crop for themselves. Blacks were
tied to the land as “new black codes” were “re–created” during the Reconstruction Period.
5 In what ways did Lincoln reveal himself as a loose constructionist in waging the Civil
War?
1) He suspended Habeas Corpus.
2) Limited free speech.
3) Imposed troops in the south following the civil war.
6. Which of the five terms used to refer to the conflict between the North and the South from
1860 to 1865 best describes it? Justify your choice.
The War Between the States.
1. The Civil War
2. War of Yankee Aggression
3. War of Southern Independence
4. War of the Southern Rebellion
The war of the southern Rebellion best describes what the south actually doing. They were
committing treason. They never wrote a declaration for independence.
OUT OF OUR PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 8: DAWN WITHOUT NOON
1. What was the program of the Radical Republicans following the Civil War and why was it
initiated? Reconstruction was instituted to bring the southern states back into the union by adopting
the 13th and 14th amendments. To do this northerners had to take over state legislatures and required
troops in the states that in the southern states from three years to the maximum of ten years.
2. What have historians identified as the main Radical Republican contribution to the
rebuilding of the South in the post bellum period? The adoption of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Allowing equal protection and giving blacks the right to vote.
3. What became the status of race relations in the South beginning in the 1880s? The blacks
were removed from state legislatures and do to Plessey v. Fergusson segregation became
institutionalized at all levels of society.
4. Contrast the Civil Rights Act of 1875 and the Plessey v. Ferguson
Decision. Civil rights act of 1875 was ruled unconstitutional based on the fourteenth
amendment saying black could not have special rights. However, the CRA only fought to give equal
rights not special rights. While Plessey said separate or segregation was fine, the court also based
their decision on the 14th Amendment as citing that segregation was alright as long as separate was
also equal.
OUT OF OUR PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 9: MACHINES AND MEN AND SOCIALISM
1. What several factors does Degler identify as contributing to America's industrial
development in the late 19th Century?
Legislation passed during the war such as the Bank and Currency Stabilization Act,
Homestead Act and the pacific Rail all laid a foundation for industrial growth. Government invested
greatly in the expansion of the railroad and other infustructure. For example: 60 million dollars was
spent pre war compared to 300 million post war. Inventions and processes improved productivity.
The idea of accepting employee’s suggestions was uniquely American. Also, using machines to
increase the workers was increased. The increased standard of living was a major factor as compared
with that of Europe, not to mention a The US had unified government with a single or rather a
common language. Government was extremely friendly to business creating a climate open to
entrepreneurship and investment.
2. What is an entrepreneur? Identify several leading ones in the late 19th Century. An
entrepreneur is someone who creates his or her own business. Several famous entrepreneurs include:
Rockefeller, Guggenheim and Carnegie.
3. What was the first billion dollar trust? Who controlled it? US Steel Corporation.
Vanderbilt
4. What was the significance of the Interstate Commerce Act? What was the target of the
I.C.C. and how effective was the act? The purpose of the ICC was to restore competition to markets
that either have been consolidated or monopolized. The significance of the ICC was it was the first
effort that put regulation on the Lazze Faire free market capitalism. At first the Act was not effective
because it only imitated marketing practices, but with the Clayton Act real financial and criminal
penalties were applied. The ICC continues as a large regulatory agency to this day.
5. What factors contributed to the failure of the Knights of Labor? The Union's membership
was too board and therefore lack of focus. While they were idealistic and had utopian ideas their
positions were non realistic and their goals were unattainable. Most import the Union was non
threatening to business in that they did not view strikes as a long term benefit.
6. What were the characteristics of the American Federation of Labor? This union targeted
and focused on skilled labor. They also had a belief in business and capitalism. Finally the AFL had
unity among its members
7. Explain the Horatio Alger myth. Rags to riches!!! If you work hard and take work that
comes your way you will be successful. Anyone can be rich with hard work.
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 10: OUT OF MANY ONE PLURIBUS
1. Explain why Degler poses that "America has been the frontier of Europe.” People from
England, France, Germany Italy, the Slavs.etc all with adventurous sprit and yearning for
opportunity came to America, just as Americans moved to the west with an adventuress sprit seeking
new opportunities and riches.
2. ***Explain the phenomenon of the two great periods of huge immigration? 1850's and
early 1905's marked tow great waves of immigration to the United States.
3. Why as America been basically so accepting of immigrants? throughout most of its
history? Mostly because immigrants were needed for labor. Americans also had empathy for
imigrants since they themselves either were immigrants or descendents of immigrants.
4. Into what two primary areas of the American economy did immigrants flock? First the
Skilled like artisans found work in specialized areas and the unskilled found labor in unskilled
industrial markets.
5. Explain how immigrants basically contributed to the conservatism of American society.
The Irish, excluding their due to their celebratory festivals, were conservative in their religious
beliefs, and belief in hard work. Also in voting and becoming citizens of America and evolving up
the political, economic and social ladder.
6. Is America a "melting pot" or a "salad bowl"? Justify your metaphor. America is a salad
bowl. While accents, food, and fashion may be different, Immigrants and people in general in
America are very group organized; Religion is narrowly defined based on small differences. People
are stratified based on education, income, employment.
7. What role did the Know Nothing Party play in the mid and late 19th Century? The No
Nothings worked to keep immigrants from holding political office and limiting new immigrants
voting participation. They did not in "no way" limit the number of incoming immigrants.
8. What does Degler identify as the three most powerful forces? In late 19th century
American society?
1) Immigrants,
2) Labor
3) Urbanization
OUT OF THE PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
Chapter 11 ALABASTERCITIES AND AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN
1. What was particularly significant about the census report of 1920? For the first time
Americans had a majority of it's population living in cities. Why had this phenomenon occurred?
Industrialization, opportunity and the cosmopolitan draw of city life.
2. Discuss what was primitive and unsavory about American cities of the late 19th Century?
Cities were filthy and unsanitary. People made small wages and worked long hours in horrible
conditions. Cities offered little in legal recreation.
3. What innovations contributed to the development and high population density of the great
cities of the American eastern seaboard? Farmers could now, for the first time in history, feed more
people than was needed to farm the land. A flow of immigrant labor was available for increased
building and industry.
4. Contrast urban and rural life in the late 19th Century. Urban life offered better education,
arts, newspapers and as Degler say "all other jobs other than farming." Rural life had farming. Rural
living was clean but did not offer the variety of the city.
5 How did the Homestead Act of 1862 and the railroad land grants make a significant
contribution to the urbanization and industrialization of America? Cities were built around railroad
stops and routes. Machinery came to these areas and so did labor. Very quickly the Midwest and
west was becoming urbanized.
6. Who did the farmers blame for their economic plight in the 1880s and 90s? The farmers
blamed Big business and the railroads for keeping rates unfairly high because they were a trust.
What two factors actually contributed the most to declining farmer income? The increase in
American productivity. made European farmers broke. Americans had over 25 percent of there
goods as exports. The second factor was the telegraph and improvement in the steam boat further
increased productivity. But while productivity was up the Railroad for distribution, grain storage and
an unstable money supply all fought to keep the farmer poor in a time of unheard of productivity.
7. Identify in chronological order the three farmer organizations that emerged to advocate for
farmer interests in the post bellum period.
Patrons of Husbandry, The Agricultural Wheel, Farmers Alienence organizations. The Peoples
Party.
8. What aspects of the Populist platform made it a turning point in American political
reform? The Populist did not understand that their problem was of their own making due to over
production. Their argument was how they could be over producing if people were still starving. The
defeat of the populist and the Democrats of 1886 was a transitional phase. The agriculture or the
Agrarian myth" was put to rest as the farmer became more businessman. By 1896 The ICC regulated
the railroads, the populists once subversive ideas gained mainstream support. By 1913 the end of the
national bank was replaced with the Federal Reserve. The populists did put legislation into law. This
would foreshadow the progressive era.
OUT OF OUR PAST: FORCES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
CHAPTER 12: NEW WORLD A-COMIN'
1. Identify and discuss the several issues and phenomenon revolving around religion in late
19th century American society. Church attendance was declining in the urban centers. Protestantism
lost touch with the laborer who felt the church was catering to the rich. The doctrine of Protestantism
of self reliance was in opposition with economic policies such as monopolies, laws and customs
keeping the poor at an unfair disadvantage.
2. What impact did the social gospel have? The Social Gospel changed the church to have a
more proactive approach to reaching and serving the poor. The church began working politically to
seek reform. Legislation would be enacted and FDR would use these values for his progressive
movement and New Deal Policies.
3. What advancements did women make in late 19th Century American society? They of
course, worked outside the home in all but 25 of 500 some categories of work as counted by the
census. Women started to be more independent and could in fact live without a man. Machinery in
food production, laundry and sewing machines made a women’s life easier at home and far more
varied than rural life.
4. Identify several major women's organizations which emerged. The DOR and the DOC
were women’s Nationalistic societies. While the Women’s Trade Union and Women’s Christian
Temperance Union (little to do with drinking) fought for the education for women, children’s rights
and worker reforms.
5. What was the aim of the "muckrakers"? To pressure business to act in a less corrupt way.
Identify several of the leading ones and their works and targets. Several were progressives like:
Jacob Riis, Jane Addames, and Writers such as Hunter' who wrote "Poverty” and Spargo's "The
Bitter Cry of Children” brought reform of working women and children's hours. The Muckrakers
supported the anti trust - Sherman and Clayton Acts that monitored monopolies and the FTC were
created to monitor morality. As a result, new business schools were created, Business was pressured
both in American by the Muckrakers and aboard to act morally, Cities such as Cleveland took on
city councils to conduct government more like a business reducing corruption.
6. Explain how the income tax was intended to be a great "equalizer." It was progressive
meaning the more you earned the more you paid. This would require the ultra rich to pay a huge sum
ending the guilded age as portrayed in the Great Gatsby.
7. Explain how Progressivism as a reform movement was basically a traditional or
conservative phenomenon. The Progressive movement and the New Deal policies of FDR were in
his words a return to the Social Gospel or religious themes that were missing in a world of people
that needed help. The progress movement used government as a force to make reforms that helped
the poor, unemployed and sick.