Securing the West

Download or read book Securing the West written by John R. Van Atta and published by JHU Press. This book was released on 2014-05 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John R. Van Atta examines the visions of the founding generation and the increasing influence of ideological differences in the years after the peace of 1815. Americans expected the country to grow westward, but on the details of that growth they held strongly different opinions. What part should Congress play in this development? How much should public land cost? What of the families and businesses left behind, and how would society's institutions be established in the West? What of the premature settlers, the "squatters" who challenged the rule of law while epitomizing democratic daring?