The crucible of conflict -- 1. Background to the struggle : the federalist challenge and the origins of Pennsylvania's Jeffersonian conflict -- 2. The radicals emerge : "The European condition of society" and the promise of democracy -- 3. The quid challenge : political economy, politics, and the fault lines of conflict -- 4. The crucible of conflict : 1805 -- 5. "Perpetual motion--perpetual change--a boundless ocean without a shore" : the final meaning of democracy in Pennsylvania -- History and historiography.
Summary
"Pennsylvania Jeffersonians were the first American citizens to attempt to translate idealized speculations about democracy into a workable system of politics and governance. In doing so, they revealed key assumptions that united other national citizens regarding democracy and the conditions necessary for its survival. In particular, they assumed that democracy required economic autonomy and a strong measure of economic as well as political equality among citizens. This strong egalitarian theme was, however, challenged by Pennsylvania's precociously capitalistic economy and the nation's dynamic economic development in general, forcing the Jeffersonians to confront the reality that economic and social equality would have to take a back seat to free market forces.".
"Shankman's exploration of the Pennsylvania experience reveals how democracy arose in America, how it came to accommodate capitalism, at the same time marginalizing egalitarian assumptions and dreams. A work of intellectual and political history, his study also mirrors the aspirations, fears, hatreds, dreams, generous impulses, noble strivings, selfish cant, and enormous capacity to imagine of those who first tried to translate the blueprint for democracy into a tested foundation for the nation's future."--BOOK JACKET.
Machine generated contents note: Introduction v -- Acknowledgments vii -- Foreword ix --Allen Organ Company, Macungie, PA -- Boeing, Ridley Park, PA -- Byers' Choice, Chalfont, PA -- Chamberlain Manufacturing, Scranton, PA -- Cove Shoes, Martinsburg, PA -- Frog, Switch and Manufacturing, Carlisle, PA -- Herr's Foods, Nottingham, PA -- Just Born, Bethlehem, PA -- KME Fire Apparatus, Nesquehoning, PA -- Mack Trucks, Inc., Macungie, PA -- Malmark Bellcraftsmen, Plumsteadville, PA -- C.F. Martin & Company, Nazareth, PA -- Mrs. T's Pierogies, Shenandoah, PA -- Orthey Instruments, Newport, PA -- Pennsylvania House, Lewisburg, PA -- The Pfaltzgraff Company, York, PA -- Phillips Mushroom Farms, Kennett Square, PA -- Reynoldsville Casket Company, Reynoldsville, PA -- Signature Door Company, Altoona, PA -- Story & Clark Pianos, Seneca, PA -- Straub Brewery, St. Marys, PA -- Sunline Coach Company, Denver, PA -- Utz Quality Foods, Hanover, PA -- Violin Makers Limited, Camp Hill, PA -- Wendell August Forge, Grove City, PA -- Westerwald Pottery, Scenery Hill, PA -- York Barbell, York, PA -- Zippo Lighters, Bradford, PA --Appendix 1: Complete List of PCN Tours 213 -- Appendix 2: About PCN 221.
Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations,
Date of Publication
c2000.
Physical Description
vi, 149 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
Notes
"... with support from Institute of Museum and Library Services, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and Pennsylvania Heritage Tourism Initiative."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-253) and index.
Contents
Introduction: a country storekeeper and his network of relationships -- Beyond "wild forest people": Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania -- The Rex Store and its local customers -- Feeding the furnaces: the iron community and the Rex Store -- "Orders thankfully received, and carefully executed": Rex and the Philadelphia merchants -- A life of "comparative ease" -- Epilogue: Rex's network and its significance.
Summary
"Examines the role that country storekeeper Samuel Rex of Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, played in the society and economy of the mid-Atlantic region from 1790 to 1807. Studies consumption patterns of one typical Pennsylvania-German community"--Provided by publisher.
