Moscow, Nauka Publ. 1983. 688 p.
The study of the history of the United States of America is one of the most important tasks of Soviet historical science. In the decades that have passed since the publication of Essays on the Modern and Contemporary History of the United States (vols. 1-2, Moscow, 1960), Soviet American studies has achieved considerable success. Key issues of American history are analyzed in monographs, collections, and scientific articles. All this opened up opportunities for the preparation of a new, more detailed, generalizing work on the history of the United States.
Representative research teams participate in its creation. The authors of the first volume 1 expand a broad panorama of important periods of American history, analyze the diverse processes and changes in the economy, in the political and ideological life of the country in all their complex, criticize the concepts of bourgeois scientists, and show the failure of the theory of "American exclusivity".
The volume covers a significant period-from the description of the life of the indigenous people of North America and the foundation of the first European (mainly English) settlements to the end of the civil war and the Reconstruction period. The material is grouped into four sections: I-Education of the United States; II-Ways of developing capitalism; III-Civil War and Reconstruction; IV-Science and Culture. A special chapter is devoted to the issues of historiography: the formation of historical science in the United States, modern historiography, etc.-
1 Authors ' team: M. S. Alperovich, T. V. Alentyeva, S. M. Askoldova, N. N. Bolkhovitinov, L. N. Goncharov, R. F. Ivanov, M. M. Koreneva, G. N. Sevostyanov, L. Yu. Slezkin, S. Yu. Sigida, V. V. Sogrin, B. M. Shpotov, T. S. Yuryeva, A. A. Fursenko. Editorial Board: G. N. Sevostyanov (chief editor). G. A. Arbatov, N. N. Bolkhovitinov, G. M. Kornienko, G. P. Kuropyatnik, V. L. Malkov, N. V. Mostovets, N. V. Sivachev, G. A. Agafonova (academic secretary). Editorial Board of the volume: N. N. Bolkhovitinov (editor-in-chief), M. S. Alperovich, R. F. Ivanov, L. Yu. Slezkin, A. A. Fursenko.
page 126
rafiii of the USA on problems of early American history, Soviet American studies. General conclusions are formulated in the conclusion, and the book is completed with a detailed bibliography and index of names.
The history of colonial society up to the middle of the XVIII century, the formation and growth of colonies are traced as an integral part of the world historical process. The book shows that the" development " of North America by European powers took place in conditions of intense rivalry and wars that covered vast territories. Social relations, ideology, achievements of culture, science, and technology were transferred from Europe to the North American continent. During this period, the foundation of the colonial economy was laid, and the main differences between the slave-owning South and the North, where bourgeois relations were more pure, were determined. Specific features and traditions in American life, as well as some of the future political institutions, were emerging and taking shape. There were prerequisites for the formation of a new nation.
The socio-economic, political and spiritual development of the colonies and the rise of national consciousness were the most important prerequisites for the anti-colonial movement in North America, the first bourgeois revolution in the XVIII century. Based on extensive concrete historical material describing various forms and methods of the colonists ' struggle against British rule, the authors show the growth of consciousness and political activity of the masses, their participation in a powerful liberation movement, and the emergence of a revolutionary situation on the continent by the mid-1770s.
The armed revolt of the Americans and the War of Independence of the United States are reflected in the volume in a multi-faceted and complex way: both from the point of view of military and diplomatic history, and in terms of the country's economic and domestic political development, the creation of a new state. The authors ' attention is also drawn to the activities and views of prominent American leaders of that period-B. Franklin, T. Jefferson, T. Payne, etc. Analysis of political pamphlets and important state documents shows that these people helped to mobilize the masses to fight against the aggression of Great Britain, proclaimed the ideals of the bourgeois revolution. The volume highlights the close connection between the struggle for liberation from British colonial rule and the demands for social and political change.
The role of various social strata and groups in the revolutionary process plays an essential role in the work. It shows that the activity and courage of ordinary Americans-the driving force of the revolution-ensured its victory. But the grassroots ' desire to democratize public life and their economic demands met with opposition from the bloc of the bourgeoisie and the slave-owning planters that came to power. The attempts of the masses to protect their interests and deepen revolutionary changes, on the one hand, and the resistance of the ruling elite and their intentions to increase the exploitation of their fellow citizens, on the other, led to an increase in social tension in the United States in the last decades of the XVIII century. The intensification of the class struggle in those years was reflected in the Shays uprising and other popular actions.
The book examines the reaction of state-owned classes to these speeches. A detailed analysis of the federal constitution of 1787 proves that it was intended to consolidate the privileges and powers of those in power, primarily the big bourgeoisie, rich planters, the" monetary " and political elite. The planned restructuring of the state caused an aggravation of political and ideological contradictions. The struggle for the ratification of the Constitution went on for a number of years. Supporters of strong state power - federalists won. During the presidency of J. R. R. Tolkien, In Washington, they created an effective government, bureaucracy, army, courts, and other enforcement agencies. Under the pressure of the masses, the US Constitution was supplemented with a Bill of Rights, which granted some civil rights to the population.
The victory of the revolution had a huge impact on the subsequent history of the United States, created the most important prerequisites for the accelerated development and victory of capitalist relations there. Based on the works of the classics of Marxism - Leninism, the authors gave a detailed analysis of the evolution of capitalism in the United States in the XVIII - XIX centuries. They highlight the main stages and features of the industrial revolution in this country, state the close relationship between the genesis of capitalism in North America and the global process. Capitalist relations here had a special character.
page 127
the existence of a slave plantation economy. It was in principle the antithesis of capitalism, but in the conditions of the United States in the first half of the nineteenth century it was one of the main sources of its growth. This point is strongly emphasized in the relevant chapters of the volume.
The authors 'team, guided by Lenin's concept of two paths of capitalist agricultural development, developed the main problems of American history in the 19th century and came to the conclusion that" the victory of the American path of development of capitalism in agriculture in the North, and after the Civil War and throughout the country, had a beneficial effect on the economic and political development of the It contributed to the strengthening of democratic traditions, the rapid growth of agricultural and industrial production, and the transformation of the United States into a developed agricultural and industrial power (p. 229).
Along with the fundamental problems of socio-economic life, a significant place in the volume is devoted to domestic and foreign policy, the history of the origin and transformation of political parties, and the mechanism of functioning of the two-party system. The analysis of the program requirements and ideology of the bourgeois parties is accompanied by convincing assessments of the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian "democracies" and characteristics of statesmen and presidents: J. Washington, J. Adams, T. Jefferson, A. Hamilton, J. Madison, J. Monroe, E. Jackson and many others.
Understanding the socio-economic and political situation in the United States is impossible without describing the progress of settlers to the western lands. The process of developing the continent was accompanied by genocide against Native American tribes. This is one of the darkest and most shameful pages in American history. Since the first years of the republic's existence, expansionist aspirations have become a characteristic feature of its foreign policy, the authors emphasize. The policy of neutrality and the development of equal relations with European countries was combined with the desire for unilateral advantages and outright expansionism. The latest trend in US diplomacy is noted in the book as increasingly dominant. It led to the "annexation" of Louisiana and Florida and was one of the causes of the Anglo-American War. 1812. Its result was the proclamation of the "Monroe Doctrine", the annexation of Texas, Oregon, and the war with Mexico. The expansion of the United States on the continent was followed by an increased penetration of the American bourgeoisie in the Caribbean and Pacific.
A large section in the volume is devoted to the Civil War and Reconstruction period (Chapters 10, 11, 12). Criticism of the apologetic concepts of bourgeois historians and ideologues on this topic is still an urgent task of Marxist scientists. The authors of the chapters develop this problem based on the instructions of Karl Marx, F. Engels and V. I. Lenin. They made extensive use of various sources, as well as works published in the USSR and written by progressive historians in the United States. Central to these chapters is a comprehensive analysis of the growing socio-economic, political, and ideological contradictions and factors that led to the division of American society and resulted in the civil war. The volume discusses in detail its main stages and events. The authors tell about the growth of the complex anti-slavery movement, the courageous actions of its heroes, and the changing political climate in the United States under the influence of progressive social forces. The volume also deals with the participation of national minorities in the struggle, the development of the workers 'and farmers' movement, and the beginning of the spread of Marxism in North America.
Emphasizing the significance of the transformations carried out during the civil war and Reconstruction, the authors simultaneously note their limited, bourgeois nature. An analysis of the alignment of social and political forces in the country reveals the turn of the big bourgeoisie of the North towards outright conservatism, which came especially clearly in the last stages of Reconstruction. The gradual revival in a new form and on a new basis of its alliance with the large farmers of the South significantly undermined the results of the second American Revolution. Their collusion perpetuated racism in the country, preserved the remnants of slavery in the economy and public life of the southern states for many years, and all this could not but affect the subsequent socio - economic and political development of the United States.
page 128
The book also addresses other important issues. One of them is Russian-American relations, which in the XVIII - XIX centuries became active. Mutually beneficial economic and political ties between the two countries deepened. Russia provided real support to the republic during its formation and during the war between the North and the slave-owning South. The advanced Russian intelligentsia was very sympathetic to the American struggle for freedom and progressive change. Contacts of scientists, writers, and artists enriched national cultures and the spiritual life of peoples.
At the same time, familiarity with the volume shows that some issues of the US history of the period under review have not yet been sufficiently developed, which also affected its content .2
It is necessary, in particular, to further develop the history of American society from the end of the 17th century to 1763, with a view to a comprehensive and comprehensive analysis of those trends in the economy, politics and ideology that eventually led to the struggle of the colonies for independence. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the study of the War of independence and the first decades of the republic's existence, and a number of serious works3 have been published, which has made it possible to cover these problems in more depth in the volume. However, not everything is solved here either. So, there is no consensus on the chronological framework of the revolution of the XVIII century, its periodization. At the monographic level, the roots of the loyalist movement, its stages of development, size and composition, groups, their ideology, programs and practical activities have not yet been studied. And this is important, because loyalists continued to exert a significant influence on American society even after the declaration of independence of the United States. In many ways, a similar situation was created during the years of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The slaves were freed, but the slave-owning ideology was not defeated, and its bearers had a strong influence on the social life of the country. Meanwhile, the study of conservative and reactionary forces, their politics and ideology has not yet been sufficiently conducted.
The end of the XVIII - beginning of the XIX century. - a time of rapid development of the United States, the formation of a young republic. This volume should therefore provide a more comprehensive analysis of socio-economic policy, state-building processes, and the history of federal elections and political parties. More detailed data on the development of trade, manufactures and crafts, finance, transportation and other aspects of the economy, information on the situation of farming and agricultural relations in the United States, socio-demographic characteristics in the XVIII-early XIX centuries., probably, would further support the main conclusions of the volume.
The section on the development of science, culture, and education in the United States is of great interest. However, these materials should have been more closely linked to the development of bourgeois ideology, and the influence of social and political contradictions and antagonisms on this sphere of American life should have been more carefully traced. The analysis of religious issues that played a very important role in the development of American society deserves more attention.
The volume examines and justifiably criticizes the concepts of leading trends and schools in US bourgeois historiography. Not only their mistakes and speculative statements are revealed, but also their positive features. A thorough analysis of Soviet historiography, its current state, and achievements in studying various aspects of US history is also logical. However, Soviet American studies is developing so rapidly that additions to the historiographical chapter are already needed. Apparently, it would be advisable to discuss in more detail the most promising and relevant areas of research in the history of the United States when working on the following volumes.
In general, the first volume of the "History of the United States" is a complex multi-faceted work, in which
2 For the work of Soviet Americanists and the problems they solved in preparing the first volume of the History of the United States, see: Sevostyanov G. N. Some results of the research work of Soviet American Historians (1976-1980). - New and recent history, 1981, N 1.
3 For a detailed bibliography, see: Sevostyanov G. N. Uk. soch.; see also: Shiryaev B. A. Politicheskaya borba v SSHA. 1783-1801. L. 1981; Shpotov B. M. Fermerskoe dvizhenie v SShA, 1780-1790-e gody. M. 1982; Sogrin V. V. Osnovateli SSHA: istoricheskie portrety. M. 1983 Ushakov V. A. America under Washington (Political and socio-economic problems of the USA in 1789-1797), L. 1983; Pdeshkov V. N. US foreign Policy at the end of the XVIII century (Essays on Anglo-American Relations), L. 1984; et al.
page 129
It highlights complex historical processes and events that characterize the socio-economic and political development of the country, its spiritual and cultural life for almost three centuries. It promotes further fruitful study of the history of the United States and its place in world history. This is not only of great scientific importance, but also relevant and timely in ideological and political terms.
page 130
New publications: |
Popular with readers: |
News from other countries: |
![]() |
Editorial Contacts |
About · News · For Advertisers |
![]() 2014-2025, LIBMONSTER.COM is a part of Libmonster, international library network (open map) Keeping the heritage of the United States of America |