In this Book

summary
The Revolutionary Years, 1775–1789, reveals how the nation’s leaders asserted power during the fourteen crucial years from the Revolution’s first shots at Lexington in April 1775 to the adoption of the Constitution in 1789.The American Revolution unfolded in two phases, winning independence and then creating “a more perfect union” that guaranteed representation and natural rights for all citizens. To prevail in those struggles the Founders had to tap and eventually master two powerful historic forces—nationalism and liberalism.National leadership is about mastering the dynamic among a country’s interests, power, and policies. Although military battles were relatively infrequent during the leisurely pace of eighteenth-century warfare, political battles were incessant. Those who championed the United States of America triumphed during the sweltering, seemingly endless months at Philadelphia from May to September 1787, when the delegates hammered out the Constitution.With the Constitution’s ratification, the Revolution came to a symbolic and substantive end. Ever since, Americans have debated, and at times shed blood over, just what the Founders intended and how to realize those ideals. In this fascinating book, William Nester examines how the Founders’ experience in revolution and nation-building caused them to understand leadership as an art—one that ultimately became the distinctive art of American power.

Table of Contents

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  1. Related Titles, Title Page, Copyright
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  1. Contents
  2. pp. v-vi
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  1. Maps
  2. pp. vii-xiv
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  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. xv-xvi
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  1. Introduction: Nation-Building, Revolution, and the Art of Power
  2. pp. 1-10
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  1. Part 1: The American Revolution, 1775–1781
  1. 1. From Lexington Green to Bunker Hill
  2. pp. 13-17
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  1. 2. Congress, Strategy, and Secret Meetings
  2. pp. 18-22
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  1. 3. The Declaration of Independence
  2. pp. 23-25
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  1. 4. From Brooklyn Heights to the Delaware Crossing
  2. pp. 26-31
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  1. 5. The Diplomatic Surge
  2. pp. 32-34
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  1. 6. Turning Points
  2. pp. 35-40
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  1. 7. The Alliance with France
  2. pp. 41-44
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  1. 8. The Widening War
  2. pp. 45-49
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  1. 9. Foreign Intrigues
  2. pp. 50-55
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  1. 10. The War for the South: First Phase
  2. pp. 56-59
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  1. 11. Parallel Wars
  2. pp. 60-63
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  1. 12. The War for the South: Second Phase
  2. pp. 64-65
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  1. 13. Stalemate, Betrayal, and Mutiny
  2. pp. 66-68
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  1. 14. Yorktown
  2. pp. 69-72
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  1. Part 2: The American Revolution, 1781–1789
  1. 15. French Subversion
  2. pp. 75-77
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  1. 16. The First American Government
  2. pp. 78-80
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  1. 17. Winning the Peace
  2. pp. 81-92
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  1. 18. Why America Won
  2. pp. 93-97
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  1. 19. American Interests and Power in a “World Turned Upside Down”
  2. pp. 98-101
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  1. 20. The Struggle with Britain
  2. pp. 102-107
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  1. 21. The Struggle with Spain
  2. pp. 108-113
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  1. 22. The Struggle with France
  2. pp. 114-116
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  1. 23. The Struggle with the Tribes
  2. pp. 117-123
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  1. 24. The Struggle with the Barbary States
  2. pp. 124-126
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  1. 25. “A More Perfect Union”
  2. pp. 127-132
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  1. Consequences: What Did It All Mean?
  2. pp. 133-138
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  1. Abbreviations
  2. pp. 139-140
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  1. Notes
  2. pp. 141-150
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 151-156
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  1. About the Author
  2. p. 157
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