Thomas Alton
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Alaska in the Progressive Age
A Political History, 1896 to 1916
By Thomas Alton
University of Alaska Press
Please give a 200- to 300-word description of your book.
The growth of modern-day Alaska began with the Klondike gold discovery in 1896. Over the course of the next two decades, as prospectors, pioneers, and settlers rushed in, Alaska developed its agricultural and mineral resources, birthed a structure of highway and railroad transportation, and founded the cities we know today. All this activity occurred within the context of the Progressive Age in American politics. It was a time of reform as Progressive politicians took on the powerful business trusts and enacted sweeping reforms to protect workers and consumers. As the population of Alaska grew, Congress responded to the needs of the nation’s northern possession, giving the territory a delegate to Congress, a locally elected legislature, and ultimately in 1914 the federally funded Alaska Railroad. Progressives believed that government could and should be the agent of reform and a force for positive change in people’s lives. In the traditional view of Alaska history, Alaska is considered to have been continually neglected and abused by the federal government. I contend, however, that in the years from 1896 to 1916 the territory benefitted richly in the age of Progressive Democracy.
Much has been written about the development of modern-day Alaska beginning with the Gold Rush and about the origins of the Alaska Railroad. However, no other study has focused primarily on that history within the context of Progressive Age American politics.
Please give a 100-word description of your book.
In the two decades from 1896 to 1916, Alaska developed its resources, built highways and railroad transportation, and founded settlements that grew into modern cities. These events took place during the Progressive Age of American politics. Progressives believed that government could be the catalyst for reform, and Congress responded by enacting legislation providing for an Alaska delegate to Congress and an elected Territorial Legislature. But the biggest Progressive-era prize of all was the Alaska Railroad bill of 1914, which allocated $35 million to aid in the growth and development of the territory. Rather than neglected and abused by the federal government, Alaska richly benefitted in the era of Progressive politics.
Please give a one-sentence description of your book.
Alaska benefitted richly in the years from 1896 to 1916, when, coincident with the Progressive Age in American politics, the idea prevailed that government at its best could be an instrument for positive social and economic change in people’s lives.
The growth of modern-day Alaska began with the Klondike gold discovery in 1896. Over the course of the next two decades, as prospectors, pioneers, and settlers rushed in, Alaska developed its agricultural and mineral resources, birthed a structure of highway and railroad transportation, and founded the cities we know today. All this activity occurred within the context of the Progressive Age in American politics. It was a time of reform as Progressive politicians took on the powerful business trusts and enacted sweeping reforms to protect workers and consumers. As the population of Alaska grew, Congress responded to the needs of the nation’s northern possession, giving the territory a delegate to Congress, a locally elected legislature, and ultimately in 1914 the federally funded Alaska Railroad. Progressives believed that government could and should be the agent of reform and a force for positive change in people’s lives. In the traditional view of Alaska history, Alaska is considered to have been continually neglected and abused by the federal government. I contend, however, that in the years from 1896 to 1916 the territory benefitted richly in the age of Progressive Democracy.
Much has been written about the development of modern-day Alaska beginning with the Gold Rush and about the origins of the Alaska Railroad. However, no other study has focused primarily on that history within the context of Progressive Age American politics.
Please give a 100-word description of your book.
In the two decades from 1896 to 1916, Alaska developed its resources, built highways and railroad transportation, and founded settlements that grew into modern cities. These events took place during the Progressive Age of American politics. Progressives believed that government could be the catalyst for reform, and Congress responded by enacting legislation providing for an Alaska delegate to Congress and an elected Territorial Legislature. But the biggest Progressive-era prize of all was the Alaska Railroad bill of 1914, which allocated $35 million to aid in the growth and development of the territory. Rather than neglected and abused by the federal government, Alaska richly benefitted in the era of Progressive politics.
Please give a one-sentence description of your book.
Alaska benefitted richly in the years from 1896 to 1916, when, coincident with the Progressive Age in American politics, the idea prevailed that government at its best could be an instrument for positive social and economic change in people’s lives.
- Copyright year: 2019
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