The phrase Young America connoted territorial and commercial expansion in theantebellum United States. During the years leading up to the Civil War itpermeated ... » 

The phrase Young America connoted territorial and commercial expansion in theantebellum United States. During the years leading up to the Civil War itpermeated various parts of the Democratic party producing new perspectives inthe realms of economics foreign policy and constitutionalism. Led by figuressuch as Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois and editor John L. OSullivan ofNew York Young America Democrats gained power during the late 1840s and early1850s. They challenged a variety of orthodox Jacksonian assumptionsinfluencing both the nations foreign policy and its domestic politics. This isthe first book to offer an exclusively political history of Young Americasimpact on the Democratic Party complementing existing studies of the literaryand cultural dimensions of this group. This close look at the Young AmericaDemocracy sheds light on the political realignments of the 1850s and the comingof the Civil War in addition to showcasing the origins of Americas longestexisting political party. «