About the book
Jack Greene explores the changing definitions of America from the time of Europe’s first contact with the New World through the establishment of the American republic. Challenging historians who have argued that colonial American societies differed little from those of early modern Europe, he shows that virtually all contemporary observers emphasized the distinctiveness of the new worlds being created in America. Rarely considering the high costs paid by Amerindians and Africans in the construction of those worlds, they cited the British North American colonies as evidence that America was for free people a place of exceptional opportunities for individual betterment and was therefore fundamentally different from the Old World. Greene suggests that this concept of American societies as exceptional was a central component in their emerging identity. The success of the American Revolution helped subordinate Americans' long-standing sense of cultural inferiority to a more positive sense of collective self that sharpened and intensified the concept of American exceptionalism.
Editions of The Intellectual Construction of America
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807820971
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807846315
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807861776
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890868503
Read an Excerpt
Jack Greene explores the changing definitions of America from the time of Europe’s first contact with the New World through the establishment of the American republic. Challenging historians who have argued that colonial American societies differed little from those of early modern Europe, he shows that virtually all contemporary observers emphasized the distinctiveness of the new worlds being created in America. Rarely considering the high costs paid by Amerindians and Africans in the construction of those worlds, they cited the British North American colonies as evidence that America was for free people a place of exceptional opportunities for individual betterment and was therefore fundamentally different from the Old World. Greene suggests that this concept of American societies as exceptional was a central component in their emerging identity. The success of the American Revolution helped subordinate Americans' long-standing sense of cultural inferiority to a more positive sense of collective self that sharpened and intensified the concept of American exceptionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Intellectual Construction of America about?
Jack Greene explores the changing definitions of America from the time of Europe’s first contact with the New World through the establishment of the American republic. Challenging historians who have argued that colonial American societies differed little from those of early modern Europe, he shows that virtually all contemporary observers emphasized the distinctiveness of the new worlds being created in America. Rarely considering the high costs paid by Amerindians and Africans in the construction of those worlds, they cited the British North American colonies as evidence that America was for free people a place of exceptional opportunities for individual betterment and was therefore fundamentally different from the Old World. Greene suggests that this concept of American societies as exceptional was a central component in their emerging identity. The success of the American Revolution helped subordinate Americans' long-standing sense of cultural inferiority to a more positive sense of collective self that sharpened and intensified the concept of American exceptionalism.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Intellectual Construction of America?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Intellectual Construction of America?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807820971
How long is The Intellectual Construction of America and how many pages does it have?
The Intellectual Construction of America has 228 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Intellectual Construction of America?
Jack P. Greene
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Intellectual Construction of America is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807820971) and paperback(ISBN 9780807846315) and ebook(ISBN 9780807861776) and ebook(ISBN 9798890868503)
Where can I buy The Intellectual Construction of America online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Intellectual Construction of America from below
Where can I buy The Intellectual Construction of America?