From distinguished author John R. Vile comes a new history of the American early republic period, presented through primary documents that are illuminated and explained in context.

This new book in the Documents Decoded series provides readers with an understanding of the key documents and debates in the early American republic-from the presidency of George Washington through that of John Quincy Adams. With more than 50 edited primary documents relevant to American history from 1789 through 1828, the primary source material is organized in sections that will help readers to identify and appreciate multiple perspectives on key issues.

The primary documents in this reference volume include laws, sermons, presidential speeches, court decisions, proclamations, treaties, and debates that will illuminate key issues such as the structure of government, the protection of individual rights, slavery, and the respective rights of the state and national governments. Examples subjects include Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson’s debates, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, The Star-Spangled Banner, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Highlights and explains a wide range of key documents that range from Washington’s Inaugural Address to John C. Calhoun’s 1828 protest against the Tariff of Abominations

Provides an engaging overview of the Early Republic of the United States that identifies the critical points in this historic period

Presents core curriculum material for students in a way that allows them to see how scholars interact with primary sources and critically evaluate them