Culled from the best of Minnesota History magazine, these essays on 200 years of Minnesota history encompass a wide range of its past, from frontier life to the age of technological innovation, from Dakota and Ojibwe history to the story of a Chinese family in St. Paul, from lumber workers' and truckers' strikes to the women's suffrage movement.
A set of mutually beneficial relationships between southern slaveholders and Minnesotans kept the men and women whose labor generated the wealth enslaved.
North Star Country is the story of the remarkable transformation of Upstate New York's famous 'Burned-over District;' where the flames of religious revival sparked an abolitionist movement that eventually burst into the conflagration of the Civil War. Milton C. Sernett details the regional presence of African Americans from the pre-Revolutionary War era through the Civil War, both as champions of liberty and as beneficiaries of a humanitarian spirit generated from evangelical impulses. He includes in his narrative the struggles of great abolitionists—among them Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, Beriah Green, Jermain Loguen, and Samuel May—and of many lesser-known characters who rescued fugitives from slave hunters, maintained safe houses along the Underground Railroad, and otherwise furthered the cause of freedom both regionally and in the nation as a whole. Sernett concludes with a compelling examination of the moral choices made during the Civil War by upstate New Yorkers—both black and white—and of the post-Appomattox campaign to secure freedom for the newly emancipated.
In 'Minnesota, the North Star State', William Watts Folwell provides a comprehensive history of Minnesota, exploring its native inhabitants, early explorers, settlement period, and the state's rapid development in the 19th century. Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, the book offers a detailed account of the state's unique geographical features, political climates, and cultural influences. Folwell's narrative is enriched with archival research and personal anecdotes, making it a valuable resource for both scholars and general readers interested in the history of Minnesota. This book is a testament to Folwell's dedication to preserving the heritage of the 'North Star State' and his passion for historical storytelling. William Watts Folwell, a renowned historian and educator, served as the first president of the University of Minnesota and was a leading authority on the history of the Upper Midwest. His in-depth knowledge of the region's past and his commitment to academic excellence shine through in this meticulously researched volume. Folwell's intimate connection to Minnesota and his scholarly expertise make 'Minnesota, the North Star State' a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the state's rich history. I highly recommend 'Minnesota, the North Star State' to history enthusiasts, students, and residents of Minnesota. Folwell's engaging writing style and thorough research make this book a captivating journey through the state's past, shedding light on its unique heritage and significance in American history.
For the first time in decades, here is an in-depth look at Minnesota government and politics, providing a useful overview of the history, structure, and distinctive characteristics of the political system in the North Star State. Minnesota?s government is often held up as a role model for other states. Drawing on survey research, electoral analysis, interview data, and political experience, the authors examine contemporary politics in Minnesota, emphasizing in particular its long-standing moralistic dimension. Attention is given to the major components of the state?s political system: the constitution, legislature, courts, relationship to both the federal system and local governments, lobbying, elections, campaign finance, and public attitudes toward taxes and services. Equally important, the authors assess various enduring myths and views about Minnesota politics, including its legendary liberalism and citizen involvement in the political scene, and even consider how its new governor, former wrestler Jesse Ventura, fits into Minnesota?s traditions.
North Star Country explores country stores and county fairs, labor unions and dusty roads traveled by peddlers and truck drivers, and farms where families toil. Written in 1945 by acclaimed activist and writer Meridel Le Sueur, this unconventional history shines an uncommon light on the lives of ordinary people in the Upper Midwest. In the tradition of James Agee and John Dos Passos, Le Sueur creates a mosaic from the fabric of everyday life, including newspapers clippings, private letters, diaries, and lyrics from popular songs. Each quotation and brief vignette opens a window to an entire lifetime or a way of life. North Star Country highlights the struggles of American Indians and offers a fresh sensibility, untangling the history of the Upper Midwest, sorting it out and returning it to the common people, to common readers.
Discover America explores each state, district, and territory in the United States of America. From Alabama to Wyoming, this series features vivid images, informative charts, and detailed maps to guide readers through their nation. Each book explores geography, history, culture, and economics to illustrate the diversity of this unique country.
