Handouts for U. S. History [antikvár]

PREFACE The study of U.S. history has been intentionally ncglcctcd in Hungary as well as in East-Central Europe for almost half a century, for obvious political reasons. Though it was taught at some universities even before the momentous political changes of 1989-1990, the history of the United States has become an important subject in Hungarian universities and colleges only in very recent years. U.S. history is now essential for the student of American Studies and also taught for prospective historians, political scientists, sociologists, economists, and media specialists. How can we face such a sudden change of expectations and priorities when even the most important handbooks arc missing from our collections, when the U.S. reference sections of even our biggest libraries arc astonishingly empty, when it is often impossible to show our students the necessary pictures, films, maps, and other visual images? How could we possibly give at least an idea of the long journey of the United States for our students in Hungary and East-Central Europe? Encouraged by the success of our Handouts for British History (Budapest: Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó, 1992, 3rd cd. 1994), we have decided to compile a somewhat similar study guide for the history of the United States. While our previous venture was more of a workbook designed for individual and classroom use, this study guide is the combination of a textbook and a reader, furnished, as in the Handouts for British History, with timelines, glossaries, biographical notes, and bibliographies. It can be used at all levels of university education, and it is intended for students of American Studies, English, as well as History and the social sciences. We have tried to create a book for an international audience and have therefore omitted references of purely Hungarian interest. This book tries to present American history in terms of an emerging democracy and the unfolding of an increasingly multicultural society. It should serve not only as an introduction into the history of a world power but also as a survey of a set of values which arc very different from those prevalent in East-Central Europe. We hope that students using this study guide will rccognizc the importance of such an overview assisting them in coming to terms with a completely different culture and heritage. The first edition of this textbook has been used by a fair number of students across Hungary and has met a favorable and encouraging reception. Considering the current accessibility of American history textbooks and reference books in Hungary and in Central and Eastern Europe, we still feel there is need for such an easily available handbook. It is intended mainly for a situation where the library holdings and the purse of the average student arc still far behind the ideal and the 7