American Creed – Philanthropy & the Rise of Civil Society, 1700–1865 - Hardcover

Mccarthy, Kathleen D

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226561984 ISBN 13: 9780226561981

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2003

Synopsis

In her incisive history, Kathleen D. McCarthy explores the impact of philanthropy - both giving and volunteerism - on America from 1700 to 1865. What results is a vital reevaluation of public life during the pivotal decades leading up to the Civil War. By investigating the relationships among the market revolution, participatory democracy, and voluntary associations, McCarthy reveals how these elements interacted to change our government - and the course of history. She considers how acts of volunteerism and charity became involved with key social interests such as the abolitionist movement, educational patronage, the struggle against racism, and female campaigns for equality. Ultimately, she uncovers the pivotal role of philanthropy in the story of America's continuous attempt to fulfill our founding ideals.

About this title

About the Author

Kathleen D. McCarthy is professor of history and director of the Center for the Study of Philanthropy at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She is the author or editor of five other books, including Women's Culture: American Philanthropy and Art, 1830-1930, published by the University of Chicago Press, and Women, Philanthropy, and Civil Society.

From the Back Cover

Since the dawn of the republic, faith in social equality, religious freedom, and the right to engage in civic activism have constituted our national creed. In this bracing history, Kathleen D. McCarthy traces the evolution of these ideals, exploring the impact of philanthropy and volunteerism on America from 1700 to 1865. What results is a vital reevaluation of public life during the pivotal decades leading up to the Civil War.

The market revolution, participatory democracy, and voluntary associations have all been closely linked since the birth of the United States. American Creed explores the relationships among these three institutions, showing how charities and reform associations forged partnerships with government, provided important safety valves for popular discontent, and sparked much-needed economic development. McCarthy also demonstrates how the idea of philanthropy became crucially wedded to social activism during the Jacksonian era. She explores how acts of volunteerism and charity became involved with the abolitionist movement, educational patronage, the struggle against racism, and female social justice campaigns. What resulted, she contends, were heated political battles over the extent to which women and African Americans would occupy the public stage.

Tracing, then, the evolution of civil society and the pivotal role of philanthropy in the search for and exercise of political and economic power, this book will prove essential to anyone interested in American history and government.

From the Inside Flap

Since the dawn of the republic, faith in social equality, religious freedom, and the right to engage in civic activism have constituted our national creed. In this bracing history, Kathleen D. McCarthy traces the evolution of these ideals, exploring the impact of philanthropy and volunteerism on America from 1700 to 1865. What results is a vital reevaluation of public life during the pivotal decades leading up to the Civil War.

The market revolution, participatory democracy, and voluntary associations have all been closely linked since the birth of the United States.American Creed explores the relationships among these three institutions, showing how charities and reform associations forged partnerships with government, provided important safety valves for popular discontent, and sparked much-needed economic development. McCarthy also demonstrates how the idea of philanthropy became crucially wedded to social activism during the Jacksonian era. She explores how acts of volunteerism and charity became involved with the abolitionist movement, educational patronage, the struggle against racism, and female social justice campaigns. What resulted, she contends, were heated political battles over the extent to which women and African Americans would occupy the public stage.

Tracing, then, the evolution of civil society and the pivotal role of philanthropy in the search for and exercise of political and economic power, this book will prove essential to anyone interested in American history and government.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0226561984
• ISBN 13: 9780226561981
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 320