Crucible of Power: A History of American Foreign Relations to 1913

by Howard Jones research professory, Univ

Overview

Crucible of Power: A History of American Foreign Relations to 1913 presents a straightforward, balanced, and comprehensive history of American international relations from the American Revolution to 1913. Howard Jones demonstrates the complexities of the decision-making process that led to the rise and decline of the United States (relative to the ascent of other nations) in world power status. Howard Jones focuses on the personalities, security interests, and expansionist tendencies behind the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and highlights the intimate relationship between foreign and domestic policy. This updated edition includes revisions and additions aimed at making the book more attractive to students, teachers, and general readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442208889
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/16/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Howard Jones is Research Professor of History at the University of Alabama. A recipient of both the John F. Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award for teaching and research and the Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award, he teaches courses in American foreign relations and the U.S.-Vietnam War.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Revolutionary Beginnings of American Foreign Policy, 1775–1789
Chapter 2: The Federalist Era and the Wars of the French Revolution, 1789–1801
Chapter 3: Jeffersonian Diplomacy, 1801–1809
Chapter 4: The War of 1812 and the Completion of American Independence, 1809–1817
Chapter 5: The Diplomacy of Hemispheric Order, 1817–1825
Chapter 6: To the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, 1825–1842
Chapter 7: Destiny and Annexation: Oregon, Texas, and the Mexican War, 1842–1848
Chapter 8: Between the Wars, 1848–1861: Young America and the Paradox of Slavery and Freedom
Chapter 9: The Civil War, 1861–1865
Chapter 10: Prelude to American Imperialism, 1865–1897
Chapter 11: U.S. Imperialism and the New Manifest Destiny, 1897–1900
Chapter 12: Theodore Roosevelt and the Search for World Order, 1900–1913

What People are Saying About This

Thomas M. Leonard

A readable and comprehensive survey of American foreign policy from the time of independence to the eve of World War I.
— Thomas M. Leonard, Distinguised Professor, University of North Florida

Lawrence S. Kaplan

This well-written and well-balanced book merits the attention of all students of American foreign relations.
— Lawrence S. Kaplan, Georgetown University

Editorial Reviews

Jones (history, U. of Alabama) demonstrates the complexities of the decision-making process that led to the rise and decline of the US relative to the ascent of other nations in world power status. He focuses on the personalities, security interests, and expansionist tendencies. The approach is narrative, he says, because a thematic approach would impose a design on events that did not exist. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

It is a pleasure to see the publication of Howard Jones's history of American foreign relations. The author has drawn from his own impressive contributions to illuminate the often neglected role of diplomacy in the nineteenth century. This well-written and well-balanced book merits the attention of all students of American foreign relations.

Lawrence S. Kaplan

Howard Jones has written a definitive history of American foreign relations before 1913. He reminds us once again that U.S. foreign policy did not begin in 1898 as he develops a narrative that is detailed but never boring. Those often forgotten years come alive as he moves from the uncertain nation of 1783 to the powerful one of 1913.

Anna Kasten Nelson

Historians will welcome Jones's approach, one that evenhandedly addresses but does not belabor historiographical debates, but one that also gives more than just the facts. The survey provides context, analysis of the good and the bad, and a non-compartmentalized look at issues, people, and events. Jones demonstrates that, from Tom Paine to Teddy Roosevelt, Americans were concerned with surviving in a dangerous world by building and exercising power abroad.

Thomas W. Zeiler

A readable and comprehensive survey of American foreign policy from the time of independence to the eve of World War I. Jones interweaves traditional security and economic themes with the domestic considerations that drove the decisions of U.S. policymakers. At the same time, he reminds readers about U.S. idealism—the nation's confidence in its own system and society—that contributed to the making of a world's leader.

Thomas M. Leonard

Praise for the Previous Edition: Historians will welcome Jones's approach, one that evenhandedly addresses but does not belabor historiographical debates, but one that also gives more than just the facts. The survey provides context, analysis of the good and the bad, and a non-compartmentalized look at issues, people, and events. Jones demonstrates that, from Tom Paine to Teddy Roosevelt, Americans were concerned with surviving in a dangerous world by building and exercising power abroad.--Thomas W. Zeiler

Praise for the Previous Edition: Howard Jones has written a definitive history of American foreign relations before 1913. He reminds us once again that U.S. foreign policy did not begin in 1898 as he develops a narrative that is detailed but never boring. Those often forgotten years come alive as he moves from the uncertain nation of 1783 to the powerful one of 1913.--Anna Kasten Nelson

Praise for the Previous Edition: It is a pleasure to see the publication of Howard Jones's history of American foreign relations. The author has drawn from his own impressive contributions to illuminate the often neglected role of diplomacy in the nineteenth century. This well-written and well-balanced book merits the attention of all students of American foreign relations.--Kaplan, Lawrence S.

From the Publisher