American Creed: Philanthropy and the Rise of Civil Society, 1700-1865 - Softcover

McCarthy, Kathleen D. D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0226562018 ISBN 13: 9780226562018

Verlag: University of Chicago Press, 2005

Inhaltsangabe

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.

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

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<\#208>1930, published by the University of Chicago Press, and Women, Philanthropy, and Civil Society.

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.

Von der hinteren Coverseite

In this bracing 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 exploring the relationships between the market, the state, and the voluntary sphere, McCarthy demonstrates how these elements interacted to change our government-and the course of history. Donors, volunteers, and 'nonprofit entrepreneurs' all left a distinctive imprint on American charities, educational patronage, struggles against slavery and racism, female campaigns for equality, and wartime imperatives. In the process, McCarthy uncovers the pivotal role of philanthropy in the story of America's continuous pursuit to fulfill our founding ideals.

"A tour de force. . . . [Modern donors] should all read American Creed to be reminded of the traditional impulses and motives that inspired earlier American philanthropists, large and small, to use their money aggressively in the creation and defense of social justice."--Mark Dowie, Los Angeles Times

"While her riveting history of civil society from the founding to the Civil War focuses on philanthropy and religion, it is laced with keen insights into the place of civil disorder, repression, chivalry, and feminism in the American social order. This is history at its best. A work that is truly pertinent to our times."--Benjamin Barber

Aus dem Klappentext

In this bracing 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 exploring the relationships between the market, the state, and the voluntary sphere, McCarthy demonstrates how these elements interacted to change our government-and the course of history. Donors, volunteers, and 'nonprofit entrepreneurs' all left a distinctive imprint on American charities, educational patronage, struggles against slavery and racism, female campaigns for equality, and wartime imperatives. In the process, McCarthy uncovers the pivotal role of philanthropy in the story of America's continuous pursuit to fulfill our founding ideals.

"A tour de force. . . . [Modern donors] should all read American Creed to be reminded of the traditional impulses and motives that inspired earlier American philanthropists, large and small, to use their money aggressively in the creation and defense of social justice."&;Mark Dowie, Los Angeles Times

"While her riveting history of civil society from the founding to the Civil War focuses on philanthropy and religion, it is laced with keen insights into the place of civil disorder, repression, chivalry, and feminism in the American social order. This is history at its best. A work that is truly pertinent to our times."&;Benjamin Barber

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: University of Chicago Press
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2005
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0226562018
• ISBN 13: 9780226562018
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 331
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Nicht verfügbar