The Burr Conspiracy

Uncovering the Story of an Early American Crisis

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book The Burr Conspiracy by James E. Lewis, Jr., Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James E. Lewis, Jr. ISBN: 9781400888825
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: James E. Lewis, Jr.
ISBN: 9781400888825
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

A multifaceted portrait of the early American republic as seen through the lens of the Burr Conspiracy

In 1805 and 1806, Aaron Burr, former vice president of the newly formed American republic, traveled through the Trans-Appalachian West gathering support for a mysterious enterprise, for which he was arrested and tried for treason in 1807. This book explores the political and cultural forces that shaped how Americans made sense of the uncertain rumors and reports about Burr’s intentions and movements, and examines what the resulting crisis reveals about their anxieties concerning the new nation’s fragile union and uncertain republic.

Burr was said to have enticed some people with plans to liberate Spanish Mexico, others with promises of land in the Orleans Territory, still others with talk of building a new empire beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The Burr Conspiracy was a cause célèbre of the early republic—with Burr cast as the chief villain of the Founding Fathers—even as the evidence against him was vague and conflicting. Rather than trying to discover the real intentions of Burr or his accusers—Thomas Jefferson foremost among them—James E. Lewis Jr. looks at how differing understandings of the Burr Conspiracy were shaped by everything from partisan politics and biased newspapers to notions of honor and gentility. He also traces the enduring legacy of the stories that were told and accepted during this moment of uncertainty.

The Burr Conspiracy offers a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of the United States at a time when it was far from clear to its people how long it would last.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A multifaceted portrait of the early American republic as seen through the lens of the Burr Conspiracy

In 1805 and 1806, Aaron Burr, former vice president of the newly formed American republic, traveled through the Trans-Appalachian West gathering support for a mysterious enterprise, for which he was arrested and tried for treason in 1807. This book explores the political and cultural forces that shaped how Americans made sense of the uncertain rumors and reports about Burr’s intentions and movements, and examines what the resulting crisis reveals about their anxieties concerning the new nation’s fragile union and uncertain republic.

Burr was said to have enticed some people with plans to liberate Spanish Mexico, others with promises of land in the Orleans Territory, still others with talk of building a new empire beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The Burr Conspiracy was a cause célèbre of the early republic—with Burr cast as the chief villain of the Founding Fathers—even as the evidence against him was vague and conflicting. Rather than trying to discover the real intentions of Burr or his accusers—Thomas Jefferson foremost among them—James E. Lewis Jr. looks at how differing understandings of the Burr Conspiracy were shaped by everything from partisan politics and biased newspapers to notions of honor and gentility. He also traces the enduring legacy of the stories that were told and accepted during this moment of uncertainty.

The Burr Conspiracy offers a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of the United States at a time when it was far from clear to its people how long it would last.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Mathletics by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Trucking Country by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Our Underachieving Colleges by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Nature, Human Nature, and Human Difference by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Good and Plenty by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book The Warbler Guide by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Resolve in International Politics by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Hybrid Dynamical Systems by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book The Global Remapping of American Literature by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book A Corporate Solution to Global Poverty by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Sovereignty by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Enlightening Symbols by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Our Minds, Our Selves by James E. Lewis, Jr.
Cover of the book Baseball's All-Time Best Hitters by James E. Lewis, Jr.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy