writings, was greatly influenced by the ideology of the time period in which

wrote. The book was written at a time when progressive ideas were the most

prevalent school of thought. Hofstadter was part of a growing number of

who challenged these self-glorifying ideas. In the mid-thirties America had

practically all critical content in favor of a "resurgence of American

chauvinism, a tiresome celebration of the American past." This mentality

partially fueled by the New Deal , where the government helped pull the

out of The Depression. The emergence of Communism also played a big role.

There was a strong reaction to those who believed that communism should

become the new Americanism. Suddenly anti-American thought and critical

writing gave way to a "literature of hero worship" and "national self-

congratulation." This reaction to communism caused many Americans to rally

behind democracy, becoming more patriotic and less critical of American

its heroes and their flaws. Going against the fashion, Hofstadter wrote true

image was a little extreme. Because of the fact that to many Americans

Hofstadter's cynical and anti-progressive approach is also

Some common words found in the essay are:
Wendell Phillips, Political Tradition, Age Cynicism, Americanism Suddenly, Richard Hofstadter, Abe Lincoln's, Americans Lincoln, Phillips Hofstadter, Tradition Partisan, Abraham Lincoln, american political, wendell phillips, american political tradition, political tradition, abraham lincoln, hofstadter's critical, progressive ideology, partisan review, american history, writing american, opinion phillips, writing american political, subject matter writing, chapter wendell phillips,
Approximate Word count = 1496
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)