Another thing to take into account when studying the American Revolution is the political situation in England that had a direct influence on the colonists.  At the time of colonization, nations in Europe, like Spain, France, and England were in the process of transitioning from feudal kingdoms to the centralized ones.  The difference was that … Continue reading Class Notes →

John G. Turner, Brigham Young Pioneer Prophet (Cambridge: Harvard Press, 2012) One area I enjoy studying is American religion. If like me, you are a fan of Richard Bushman’s Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling then I want to recommend the book Brigham Young Pioneer Prophet by John Turner. Turner is a Religious Studies professor at … Continue reading Book Review →

Not much happened during the Cleveland presidency.  For one, government did not do much in the Gilded age, so not doing much was on purpose.  Secondly, the Democratic party was composed of a diverse group of people, political machines and Mugwumps, free traders and protectionists, Gold Standardists and unlimited coinagers, and finally not to mention … Continue reading Class Notes →

Jean Jacques Rousseau in his work, The Social Contract, argued that the ideal state would not be ruled by the divine right of Kings as most believed at the time, or Enlightened Despots of Hobbs, or self-interested property holders of Locke. Government should follow the will of the people ahead of the people’s own self-interest.  … Continue reading Class Notes →