Missouri

The essays in The Other Missouri History explore a wide range of topics in Missouri social history. By dealing with the lives of ordinary Missourians, these pieces examine the effects of significant social and economic change at all levels of society. With a broader scope in Missouri history than previous studies, this book demonstrates how Missourians have been affected by issues of race, class, and gender. Gregg Andrews's essay, "The Racial Politics of Reconstruction in Ralls County, 1865-1870," examines how race shaped the political culture in Ralls County during the Reconstruction Era. Andrews argues that race-baiting was used prominently by editors of the Ralls County Record to discredit Radicals in the county and was perhaps the most powerful political weapon that conservatives and later Democrats could use to gain the allegiance of voters. Farmers are another popular topic for those practicing the "other Missouri history." Michael J. Steiner's "The Failure of Alliance/Populism in Northern Missouri" provides insight into the economic and rhetorical reasons for the failure of Populism in Missouri. Steiner contends that white farmers in northern Missouri were happy with the status quo and rejected calls for radical reform and major change in the agricultural economy. Women began to become active in public life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Janice Brandon-Falcone's "Constance Runcie and the Runcie Club of St. Joseph" examines the first two decades of an important women's club that still exists in St. Joseph, Missouri. Also included in The Other Missouri History are essays by Deborah J. Henry, Daniel A. Graff, Bonnie Stepenoff, Robert Faust, and Amber R. Clifford. Because of the diverse issues addressed, this volume will appeal to general readers of Missouri and Midwestern history, as well as to those who teach courses in history and have sought a supplemental text.

Now available in a new and enlarged edition is the popular fourth-grade textbook, Missouri Then and Now. Closely correlated with Missouri's Official Course Content Standards and profusely illustrated, with color pictures and maps distributed throughout the book, this state-of-the-art text promises to meet the instructional needs of twenty-first- century classrooms. Teachers will welcome the many special features designed to facilitate the mastery of the basic competencies measured by the Missouri Assessment Program. Missouri Then and Now incorporates geography, civics, economics, anthropology, and sociology with history to give students an opportunity to learn about their world on several levels: the community (the origin and subsequent growth of towns), the region (the occupation and settlement of the Mississippi River Valley), the nation (the struggle for statehood, the westward movement, the Civil War, and the depression of the 1930s) and the world (exploration, world wars, the global economy, and the worldwide communications network). This edition also adds valuable new insights concerning the importance of scientific and technological innovations. Young Missourians will be introduced to a host of remarkable women, men, and children with stories that will help bring history to life. Individuals who have made special contributions to the state are featured in the "Famous Missourians" sections placed throughout the book, and the routines of daily life and ordinary people are also accorded significant coverage. An important new feature in this edition, "In Their Own Words," gives students the opportunity to read excerpts from actual source documents. These brief passages from letters, diaries, reports, and other historical documents, which have been edited and made accessible to fourth graders, are ideally suited for active learning. In addition to its many new features, Missouri Then and Now retains the attributes that made earlier editions practical for teaching history. Each chapter begins with guiding questions intended to help students formulate their own ideas and initiate individual and group research activities. A listing of recent books, videos, and web sites located at the end of each chapter will lead students to varied information sources specifically related to Missouri topics. The new words identified for each chapter and the glossary placed in the appendix remain useful tools for vocabulary building exercises. A separate Teacher's Guide includes suggested student research topics for each chapter along with guiding questions. An accompanying matrix helps teachers identify the applicable knowledge and process standards and includes sample learning activities appropriate to the specific topic. These and a host of other attractive features will make Missouri Then and Now a popular choice in Missouri's fourth-grade classrooms.

The third edition of this popular series is updated with a variety of features that will help students learn about the state of Missouri. This comprehensive book outlines the geography, history, people, government, and economy of the state. Lists of key people, events, cities, plants and animals, and political figures, plus fact boxes and quotes, provide easily accessible information that is supplemented by activities such as crafts, recipes, and a map quiz. Historic photos, artwork, and other images enhance the text.

When Missiouri became the twenty-fourth state in the Union in 1821, it was already heir to a rich and varied historical legacy. From 1673 until the Louisiana Purchase, Europeans of different nationalities, assisted by the Africans they brought with them, competed alternately with Indians and among themselves for control of the land. But while land and resources were the target of the struggle, the region's cultural identity was being determined by the mingling and clashing of diverse cultures -- Indian, French, African, Spanish, and Anglo-American. The story of the blending of those diverse cultures in a land rich in resources and beauty is an extraordinary tale. Especially appealing to many readers will be the attention Foley gives to common Missourians, to the status of women and Blacks, and to Indian-White relations. In this account, the pioneer hunters, trappers, and traders who roamed the Ozark hills and the boatmen who traded on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers take their places beside the small coterie of prominent St. Louisans whose wealth and influence enabled them to dominate the region politically and economically. - Back cover.