Description
Book SynopsisBirth of the Nation is the first comprehensive treatment of the work of the critically important Congress which converted the words of the Federal Constitution of 1787 into action and brought to a close the American Revolution.
Trade ReviewBirth of the Nation is an impressive piece of serious scholarship. . . . Bickford and Bowling have produced a volume consistently easy and enjoyable to read. Procedural details and constitutional implications seem alive and relevant rather than of merely antiquarian interest. The introductory chapter, moreover, provides perhaps the best short discussion I have read concerning the constitutional issues and developments from 1774 to 1790. -- Raymond C. Bailey * Journal of Southern History *
It is the best available introduction to the men and measures of the First Congress and it can be read with great profit by all who study and teach American history or American government. -- Patrick J. Furlong * Journal of the Early Republic *
"scholarly and interesting..." * The Washington Post *
The finest short account of the origins of Congress that I have read. It could only have been written by scholars who have devoted years to the study of the First Congress as authors Bickford and Bowling have done. -- Raymond W. Smock, Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives
Both intelligent general readers and specialists in American history will enjoy and learn from this incisive account of the First Federal Congress. . . . Birth of the Nation is a valuable and a necessary book. -- Richard B. Bernstein, Historian, New York City Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution
The book is a marvelous summary of what was arguably the most important two years in congressional history. . . . Birth of the Nation is simply chock-full of interesting examples that amply demonstrate just how important that first Congress was and just how little many of us—even many historians—know about that Congress. -- James T. Currie * The Public Historian *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 Sessions of the First Federal Congresses Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 A New Beginning: Congress Convenes in New York City Chapter 6 Setting Precedent: Organizing Itself Chapter 7 An Imperial Presidency? Chapter 8 The First Federal Revenues Chapter 9 Shaping the Executive Branch Chapter 10 Defining the Judiciary Chapter 11 The Bill of Rights Chapter 12 Locating the United States Capital Chapter 13 Funding the Revolutionary War Debt Chapter 14 The Compromise of 1790 and its Reaffirmation in 1791 Chapter 15 "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way" Chapter 16 The Senate and Foreign Policy Chapter 17 Political Parties in the First Congress Chapter 18 Conclusion Chapter 19 Notes Chapter 20 Members of the Senate and House of Representatives Chapter 21 Index
