The "progressive" reading of history focuses on two major antecedents for the origins of the United States' 1898 war with Spain: the 1896 presidential election and the Hearst-Pulitzer press war that; reportedly; generated an irresistible clamor from an "aroused public." Underlying those narratives are two very different theoretical frameworks: a class-dominance view and that of the mass society. Volume 1 of President McKinley; War and Empire assesses the adequacy of those readings.In the 1896 election the Republicans; led by William McKinley; were challenged by William Jennings Bryan; a radical and an inflationist; who had defeated the conservative leaders of the Democratic Party. The Bryanites portrayed the 1896 election as a struggle between "Wall Street" and "the people." McKinley was portrayed as a docile; pliable figure whose campaign was directed by an adept Ohio business magnate; Mark Hanna. The McKinley victory meant that "big business" was now "in control."The Cuban insurgency; begun in 1895; gained attention and support from the American newspapers. This began with a circulation war in New York City; with Hearst and Pulitzer publishing "sensational" reports about the struggle in Cuba. The resulting public clamor; it is said; overwhelmed the members of the legislative and executive branches. McKinley and his advisors fended off those demands as best they could but; following the sinking of the Maine; he conceded and asked Congress to authorize intervention.This work provides an original assessment of those long-standing claims; the basic elements of the progressive history. It reviews McKinley's biography; principally the events leading up to his election victory; including discussion of Hanna's role. It then examines the events leading up to the war. Studies of press content are reviewed and new material is introduced. The work also argues that two other factors were decisive: the efforts of an adept Cuban pressure group and partisan politics. The theoretical implications are explored and an alternative framework; elitism; is argued. The result is a different; a more complex view of the origins of the war.
#1353294 in Books Forge Books 2004-10-01 2004-09-23Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.29 x 6.34l; #File Name: 0765307928400 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An American HeroBy DougSid Shachnow had an extraordinary life; part of it kind of random;having been born in the wrong place at the wrong time; a young Jewish boy in a Jewish family who ends up going through the hell of the Nazi's entering their town in Lithuania at the beginning of the gradual extermination of millions. To get a quick synopsis of the story; go to his daughter LeeAnne's review on Goodreads:[...]... Here are some of the things that impressed me about his story:1. There were several reasons Sid was able to navigate himself out of the horrible Nazi situation: he had the courage to live; forage for food in guarded gardens; under the floorboards of party member's homes; to make loyal friends along the way; he had a resourceful Uncle who got intel that helped him get out of impending doom just in time and there were people; not always perfect people; who took him in and hid him. He had the kind of personality that wouldn't give up; a positive way about him that people liked and it served him well all throughout his life. He was a friendly gutty guy and somehow was able to keep a positive attitude. These characteristics served him well his whole life.2. He didn't blush about telling the whole story; even a little bit about the sex lives of his parents; that his dad was a bit of a wuss; the way the other prisoners tricked him into compromising situations; that even as a leader; he had reservations about Viet Nam; that when questionable things happened in his career he came up with politically correct answers; that he was lucky in many ways. And although he received many combat awards; many for valor; it never felt like bragging. He did what it took to get through a situation; many times not even knowing or acknowledging that he had been hit; and finished the task. He remained humble and positive at all times.3. Part of the story is of family; family relationships; to some extent; from the perspective of having been born Jewish. There are many philosophical comments about how unfortunate it is that people are raised from the time of childhood to hold bigoted and horrible contempt toward other people. But he's very fair about how this works in reverse; his own parents having held a negative feeling and irritation at Sid's own beautiful and loving positive wife Arlene who happened to be a Catholic. Their treatment of her was heart breaking. Sid was always devoted to his own family and three of the four daughters ended up with military husbands; the fourth married an AOL guy; LOL.4. It was interesting to get a feeling for the way the military works with its promotions; discipline; sometimes heavy drinking; training; etc. Sid was an uneducated guy; didn't even graduate from high school; wasn't yet a citizen of the US when he volunteered for the army and yet he rose to the top. Part of the story is the amazing American story; how a guy with guts and integrity with little background can get to the top. I enjoyed his descriptions of the other men he dealt with in the military. It is also the story of the Special Forces and how that started small and with Sid's help; evolved into the important role that is plays today. Sid's background in the ghettos in Europe gave him part of the special training and language skills he needed to become such a major part of this important development.5. It sometimes reads like historical fiction. Having read so much fiction; I sometimes had to remind myself that this was a true story. I found it fascinating and interesting from the first page. I know Sid and Arlene almost as well as my own parents and I know more about Sid's parent's than my own grandparents.Thanks Sid for having the guts to tell an honest and open story in the true but humble way you told it. It's leaders like you that make this a great place to live. The title of the book is perfect. You are a good good man and I learned a lot. (less)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I would have very much liked to have listened to Gen Shachnow tell his story ...By Beer; pleaseI was stationed in Berlin under Gen Shachnow; and to be completely honest; I don't think the officer corps understood what he had gone through in his life to be where he was then. I would have very much liked to have listened to Gen Shachnow tell his story over a quiet beer in the officer's club.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. What an HonorBy Timothy S. HamiltonGeneral Shachnow was commander of the Berlin Brigade while I served there from 1988-1991. I remember shaking his hand and receiving and award in the NCO club across the street from Clay Headquarters. I had heard his story from my chain of command in Building 3; and was in awe. Thank you sir for your kind words of encouragement that day.
