- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
"Kentucky Rising" is Dr. James Ramage and his daughter, Andrea S. Watkins, newest book published by The University Press of Kentucky. It is excellent and I highly recommend it."Kentucky Rising" starts with Henry Clay and ends with Abraham Lincoln. It is the period between the two that makes this book so important. The authors discuss "the art and architecture, culture and cholera, social life and steamboats, politics and the press, slavery and antislavery, war and peace, Union and the Confederacy and much more" in Kentucky during these eras.
The first settlers to Kentucky were strong-willed and keen minded pioneers who brought with them a sense of rising hope about the future and a dedication to democracy. They were determined to transform the frontier into a network of communities that could play a role in the progress of science, education, transportation, and trade. They were dedicated to the new Republic. Kentucky emerged as a model of patriotism and military spirit. They enthusiastically supported the War of 1812. This era was one of great optimism and progress.
In the years before the Civil War, Kentucky was perceived as a leader among the states and uniquely engaged in public affairs. At a time when most states required citizens to own property in order to vote, Kentucky's first constitution had no such restrictions. Kentuckians considered the right to vote to be sacred, and election turnout frequently exceeded 70 %.
A strong belief in democracy was also evident in Kentuckians' fervent participation in mass public meetings, where they voiced support or protest of local and national causes. Because of Kentucky's fierce independence and love of debate, Union commanders feared that the Confederate war of proclamations might inspire public rallies that would take the state out of the Union.
The authors offer a valuable new perspective on an era marked not only by cultural and political advancement but also by the discord of slavery and war. "This book explores a crucial period in the commonwealth's history and confirms Kentucky's illustrious legacy."
The first settlers to Kentucky were strong-willed and keen minded pioneers who brought with them a sense of rising hope about the future and a dedication to democracy. They were determined to transform the frontier into a network of communities that could play a role in the progress of science, education, transportation, and trade. They were dedicated to the new Republic. Kentucky emerged as a model of patriotism and military spirit. They enthusiastically supported the War of 1812. This era was one of great optimism and progress.
In the years before the Civil War, Kentucky was perceived as a leader among the states and uniquely engaged in public affairs. At a time when most states required citizens to own property in order to vote, Kentucky's first constitution had no such restrictions. Kentuckians considered the right to vote to be sacred, and election turnout frequently exceeded 70 %.
A strong belief in democracy was also evident in Kentuckians' fervent participation in mass public meetings, where they voiced support or protest of local and national causes. Because of Kentucky's fierce independence and love of debate, Union commanders feared that the Confederate war of proclamations might inspire public rallies that would take the state out of the Union.
The authors offer a valuable new perspective on an era marked not only by cultural and political advancement but also by the discord of slavery and war. "This book explores a crucial period in the commonwealth's history and confirms Kentucky's illustrious legacy."