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The Historical Dictionaries of US Historical Eras is a marvellous series, and these two constituent volumes are gems. Together they span the years 1763-1829, covering social, economic, and political matters, domestic and foreign insofar as they impact on the former, in well organised, sufficiently detailed, and cross-referenced encyclopaedic entries. Each volume benefits from an introductory scoping essay, chronology, and an outstanding, most comprehensive Bibliographic survey which includes digital sources.
May’s Revolutionary America does not address in detail the Revolutionary War – this is dealt with in a further volume, however the issues that provoked colonial opposition, and the course of this resistance is traced from the mid 1760s through to ratification of the Constitution. Every step is charted through the Dictionary’s succinct yet informative entries on British Acts of Parliament, colonial protests, committees, political initiatives, and conventions – all dealt with efficiently, constituting a particular strength of the work.
Biographical and topographical entries are written in relation to the overarching theme, as are entries on foreign countries, thus “France/Spain/China…and Revolutionary America.” The biographical vignettes are comprehensive, going beyond the headline figures; influential individuals outside the period, such as John Locke and Edward Coke are also included.
Appendices in this volume lists signatories to the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and attendees at the 1787 Constitutional Convention – all of whom have dedicated articles within the body of the work.
Buel’s Early Republic volume takes a similar approach, which is no less successful – every conceivable entry on matters concerning the challenges facing the new republic, Hamilton’s Financial Programme, commercial expansion to foreign relations, embracing the fall of the Federalists, Jeffersonian America and major development in the country through to John Quincy Adams. Major themes are embraced through overarching summary articles such as ‘Territorial Expansion’ and ‘Economic Development…1789-1829’, further augmented by, for instance, in this example, discrete articles on areas of financial policy.
The breadth is impressive, from a description of the so-called “Era of Good Feelings” to an account of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in July 1814 during the invasion of Canada; from the Temperance Movement to the 1798 Sedition Act. Again, every conceivable fact of policy, politics, and history is cited and contextualised.
A particularly useful feature in this volume is an account of every Presidential Election during the period, in addition to Administration details for each President provided in the Appendix.
These volumes will prove to be invaluable to students at advanced, undergraduate, and postgraduate level, providing as they do valuable information for reference, context and, indeed engaging material for just ‘dipping into’. Whilst the price will perhaps render them unattainable for some students, libraries should certainly ensure that sufficient copies are stocked.
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