America's Founding Charters: Primary Documents of Colonial and Revolutionary Era Governance [3 volumes] - Tapa dura

"This three-volume resource for students and general readers reproduces a broad assortment of major primary documents that illuminate how the U.S. system of governance that was eventually codified in the Constitution of 1787 evolved from Colonial times through the Revolutionary era. Included are statutes, charters, pamphlets, speeches, state constitutions, and more. The three volumes cover distinct periods in the growth of American governance. Each volume has a separate editorial introduction, as do the individual chapters. A bibliographical essay found at the back of the third volume directs readers to both primary and secondary sources." - Reference & Research Book News "The U.S. Constitution and present form of government were developed not only by the group considered to be the Founding Fathers but by all the discussions and writings concerning the formation of government in all of the colonies from their inception. This set brings together 260 primary documents from 1578 to 1787 that form the basis of the colonial and pre-revolutionary governments...This is an attractively packaged reference source, with a straight forward single purpose...It is a recommended purchase for academic institutions with an American history program and desirable for larger public libraries." - Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin "America's Founding Charters authoritatively assembles 260 documents on the origins, developments and growth, and defenses of colonial governance. The only such comprehensive title in print, it covers governance from founding to revolution (1578-1787). Although intended to illustrate how and even why our system of governance has developed the way it has (rather than Colonial social developments or growing political divisions), the work nonetheless demonstrates the internal discord of the time. All three volumes are arranged chronologically; chapters and subchapters are placed in historical context with numerous 50-500-word commentaries...Well indexed, with worthwhile sources cited, this set will be useful to universities with collections/special collections concerning Colonial America. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers." - Choice

This extensive work collects all of the major documents, with commentary, pertaining to the structure, formation, and functioning of the political system in colonial and revolutionary America. Documents range from royal charters establishing colonial claims, sermons that question or bolster the established order, pamphlets, state constitutions, debates over the make up of Congress and the Articles of Confederation, and the like. What documents enforced English control over its colonies? Who used pamphlets to voice protest and stir up political resistance? How did colonial settlers envision their future governing structures? This extensive work provides and in-depth look at 260 major documents that shaped the structure, form, and function of the political system in colonial and revultionary America. Documents include royal charters establishing colonial claims, sermons that question or bolster the established order, pamphlets, state constitutions, debates over the make-up of the Continental Congress and Articles of Confederation, and the like. Introductory commentary contextualizes the documents and highlights the reader's understanding of these events as the blueprint for how the colonies became a nation. The work is fully indexed.