Description
Bringing together the work of prominent scholars and rising stars in southern, western, and Indian history, A Whole Country in Commotion explores lesser-known aspects of probably the most better-known episodes in U.S. history. Even as the purchase has been seen as a perfect boon for america, doubling the size of the new nation and securing American navigation at the Mississippi River, it also brought turmoil to many.
Looking past the triumphal aspects of the purchase, this book examines the ânegotiations among peoples, nations and empires that preceded and followed the true transfer of territory.â Its nine essays highlight the âcommotionâ the purchase stirred upâamong nations, among Louisiana residents and newcomers, even among folks that remained east of the Mississippi.
Many of these essays take a look at the portion of the Louisiana territory that would grow to be Arkansas to illustrate the profound have an effect on of the purchase at the diverse populations of the American Southwest. Others explore the woeful commotion brought to many thousands of lives as Jeffersonâs ânoble bargainâ set the stage for the forced migration of native and African Americans from the east to the west of the Mississippi.