⚡️ What is Patriotism about ?
Parading Patriotism takes readers on a captivating journey through a critical fifty-year period in the nineteenth-century America. In this thought-provoking book, Historian Adam Criblez explores the expansion of the American nation and the rapid urbanization and industrialization happening across midwestern cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Indianapolis. The focal point of Criblez’s study is the celebration of the Fourth of July in each of these cities, revealing how these events served as a microcosm for the entire country in shaping notions of patriotic nationalism and what it truly meant to be an American.
Delving deep into the social and political life of mid-century Midwest, Criblez uncovers rich layers of intricacies hidden behind the seemingly festive spirit of Independence Day celebrations. He uncovers how such celebrations often concealed tension relating to race, ethnicity, social class, political affiliation, religion, and even gender. This groundbreaking exploration demonstrates that these urban festivities were not always peaceful, with incidents marred by ethnic conflicts, racial turmoil, and excessive intoxication. Ultimately, Criblez elucidates how the Midwest adopted and adapted cultural elements from European immigrants and westward migrants to construct a new and exceptional national identity.
Evidently, Parading Patriotism combines unpublished sources such as diaries and journals with under-utilized print resources including newspapers, travelogues, pamphlets, and periodicals to shed light on the roots of modern-day Fourth of July celebrations. By analyzing the rituals and ceremonies that emerged from this historical period, Criblez reveals how political independence and republican government were promoted, harnessing their weight in shaping the future of a young nation.
📖 Who should read Patriotism?
People who should read this book “Patriotism” are historians, scholars, and researchers interested in American history, particularly the expansion and urbanization of the Midwest in the 19th century. Additionally, individuals interested in the cultural, social, and political aspects of the Fourth of July celebrations, and how they shaped American nationalism and identity, would find this book informative and insightful. It offers a unique perspective on the complexities and tensions underlying these celebrations, including issues of race, ethnicity, social class, political party, religion, and gender. With a rich collection of primary sources and under-utilized print resources, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical roots of Independence Day celebrations in America.
💡 What will you learn in Patriotism ?
1. The book explores the history and significance of Independence Day celebrations in midwestern cities during a critical period of American expansion and urbanization.
– The book examines how celebrations of the Fourth of July in cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Indianapolis helped shape patriotic nationalism and new conceptions of American identity.
2. It delves into the social and political tensions that were often masked by the celebratory façade of Independence Day.
– The author reveals that beneath the surface of these celebrations, there were deep-seated tensions related to race, ethnicity, social class, political party, religion, and even gender.
3. The book uncovers the role of ethnic conflict, racial turmoil, and excessive drunkenness in urban celebrations.
– The author highlights incidents of violence and unrest that occurred during these celebrations, shedding light on the challenges faced by these cities as they grappled with issues of diversity and social cohesion.
4. It explores how cultural developments from outside the region influenced the concepts of American nationalism in the Midwest.
– The book discusses how European immigrants and migrants from eastern states like New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts brought cultural influences that shaped the evolution of American national identity in the region.
5. The book utilizes a range of primary sources, including unpublished material and under-utilized print resources, to uncover the historical roots of Fourth of July celebrations.
– The author draws on diaries, manuscript collections, journals, newspapers, periodicals, travelogues, pamphlets, and more to provide a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the development of Independence Day rituals and ceremonies.
6. It demonstrates how the celebration of Independence Day became a significant political, cultural, and religious ritual in each of the five highlighted midwestern cities.
– The author argues that these celebrations played a vital role in promoting political independence and republican government, helping the new country come to terms with its own independence and forge a unique national identity.
