American Identity

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

So - as some of you know - I'm writing my honors thesis this year... it's a stressful thing, but I really enjoy doing the research. It's especially nice because, after a full semester of work, I've finally narrowed down my topic to something that is manageable enough to become a 50-60 page paper by April.

My general topic revolves around the Antimason movement (1830's approx) and how the movement developed a sense of American identity that was contrary - even radical - to what was previously thought to be "American." The American "Founding Fathers" were Masons, lodges sprung up in towns in the so-called "Early Republic" at the same time as churches and schools because they were seen as a quintessential part of what defined a typical "town"... yet, in the late 1820's and through the 1830's, the Masons in the American Northeast experienced an incredible political, religious, and social backlash to the point of near-extinction. The movement enveloped so much more than simply being "anti-mason," the party really advocated a new way of life, a new identity... and that is what my paper is going to be about...

So - I was wondering if any of you academic types could point me in the direction of any good books (secondary sources) on the development of American Identity. I'll be utilizing some of Sean Wilentz's works (The Rise of American Democracy and Major Problems in the Early Republic), but I'm lacking something more specific and was hoping that maybe some American history buffs could help me out.

Or - just feel free to give me your insights on my topic. Thanks!

 

[Kahuna Burger]

A book I've skimmed but never actually read (have to buy it someday) is The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, which basicly looks at how americans have jointly consrtucted a mythical history based on the social aberations of the fifties and a lot of rose colored recounting. The chapter on the myth of rugged individualism in the american frontier might be particularly relevant to your work.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

A book I've skimmed but never actually read (have to buy it someday) is The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, which basicly looks at how americans have jointly consrtucted a mythical history based on the social aberations of the fifties and a lot of rose colored recounting. The chapter on the myth of rugged individualism in the american frontier might be particularly relevant to your work.

Awesome! Thanks KB!

 

[nakia]

Well, you could take a look at Toqueville's Democracy in America. He certainly talkes about American Identity in that (general) time period.

I know nothing about the masons and the anti-masons (that sounds like a RPG plot waiting to happen), but it seems like Andrew Jackson's presidency contributes to some of what you're talking about. He was elected to the presidency in 1832. Jackson's attempt to get rid of the electoral college and his general reputation as the "common man's president" seems to fit well with the anti-mason stuff.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Well, you could take a look at Toqueville's Democracy in America. He certainly talkes about American Identity in that (general) time period.

I know nothing about the masons and the anti-masons (that sounds like a RPG plot waiting to happen), but it seems like Andrew Jackson's presidency contributes to some of what you're talking about. He was elected to the presidency in 1832. Jackson's attempt to get rid of the electoral college and his general reputation as the "common man's president" seems to fit well with the anti-mason stuff.

Good call on Toqueville - it's sitting on my shelf, why I didn't think of it, I have NO idea. I think this semester has rendered me brain dead.

Interesting tidbit: Antimasons ran their own candidate in the 1832 election (William Wirt) - America's first Third Party! The Antimasons are also the first party to hold a presidential nominating convention... Ahhh - the things I know.

 

[diaglo]

Well, you could take a look at Toqueville's Democracy in America. He certainly talkes about American Identity in that (general) time period.

I know nothing about the masons and the anti-masons (that sounds like a RPG plot waiting to happen), but it seems like Andrew Jackson's presidency contributes to some of what you're talking about. He was elected to the presidency in 1832. Jackson's attempt to get rid of the electoral college and his general reputation as the "common man's president" seems to fit well with the anti-mason stuff.

Jackson also introduced open nepotism to U.S. politics.

 

[Dagger75]

A while back the History channel had the history of the masons. I don't know how much it costs to buy a copy of the episode.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Awesome! Thanks KB!

It should be noted, however, that while "The Way We Never Were" does debunk some of the myths people have about the 1950s, it also has a political agenda that it sets out to promote, resulting in many cases of hyperbole, speculation passed off as fact, and partisan historical revisionism.

But that's all that I'm going to say about that book, considering that I don't want this thread to get closed.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

It should be noted, however, that while "The Way We Never Were" does debunk some of the myths people have about the 1950s, it also has a political agenda that it sets out to promote, resulting in many cases of hyperbole, speculation passed off as fact, and partisan historical revisionism.

But that's all that I'm going to say about that book, considering that I don't want this thread to get closed.

*makes a note* Thanks for the pointer, Dark Jezter. I'll keep that in mind while I'm skimming through it.

 

[BOZ]

hmm, odd. there must have been a resurgence around the turn of the century though, because i had a number of relatives in the Freemasons.