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Avenues of Transformation: Illinois's Path from Territory to State
WINNER, 2023 Illinois State Historical Society Russell P. Strange Book of the Year Award!
A territory split by slavery, a state forged for union
Avenues of Transformation traces the surprising path, marked by shame, ambition, and will that led to Illinois’s admission to the Union in 1818. Historian James A. Edstrom guides the reader through this story by associating each stage of the narrative—the original statehood campaign, the passage of Illinois’s statehood-enabling act by Congress, and Illinois’s first constitutional convention—with the primary leaders in each of those episodes. The lives of these men—Daniel Pope Cook, Nathaniel Pope, and Elias Kent Kane—reflect the momentous tangle of politics, slavery, and geography. This history maps the drive for statehood in the conflict between nation and state, in the perpetuation of slavery, and in the sweep of water and commerce. It underscores the ways in which the Prairie State is uniquely intertwined—economically, socially, and politically—with every region of the North, South, East, and West—and captures the compelling moment when Illinois statehood stood ready to more perfectly unify the nation.
This volume is the first full-length book in over a century to describe and analyze Illinois’s admission to the Union. It marks the first time that a historian has analyzed in detail the roll-call votes of the first state constitutional convention, seated evenly by pro- and antislavery delegates. Edstrom’s wit and prose weave a lively narrative of political ambition and human failure. Patiently crafted, Avenues of Transformation will be the first source for readers to turn to for gaining a better understanding of Illinois statehood.
A territory split by slavery, a state forged for union
Avenues of Transformation traces the surprising path, marked by shame, ambition, and will that led to Illinois’s admission to the Union in 1818. Historian James A. Edstrom guides the reader through this story by associating each stage of the narrative—the original statehood campaign, the passage of Illinois’s statehood-enabling act by Congress, and Illinois’s first constitutional convention—with the primary leaders in each of those episodes. The lives of these men—Daniel Pope Cook, Nathaniel Pope, and Elias Kent Kane—reflect the momentous tangle of politics, slavery, and geography. This history maps the drive for statehood in the conflict between nation and state, in the perpetuation of slavery, and in the sweep of water and commerce. It underscores the ways in which the Prairie State is uniquely intertwined—economically, socially, and politically—with every region of the North, South, East, and West—and captures the compelling moment when Illinois statehood stood ready to more perfectly unify the nation.
This volume is the first full-length book in over a century to describe and analyze Illinois’s admission to the Union. It marks the first time that a historian has analyzed in detail the roll-call votes of the first state constitutional convention, seated evenly by pro- and antislavery delegates. Edstrom’s wit and prose weave a lively narrative of political ambition and human failure. Patiently crafted, Avenues of Transformation will be the first source for readers to turn to for gaining a better understanding of Illinois statehood.
274 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 13, 2023
As a native Illinoisan and current resident of Southwest Illinois, I really enjoyed this book and it has changed the way I think about the early history of my state. The author very effectively brings to life a very different world - where Kaskaskia is the center of power, where influence of Spain and France is a recent concern, where established states are concerned about how the nation will change as new states are added, and where much of the settlement and culture is in Southern Illinois and is coming from the South. I found the book to be a fascinating look at a time not so far from ours, and at decisions and actions that still impact us today.
One question that stood out to me though was the role of the added northern part of the state around Chicago. Did the representatives in that area become involved in the statehood debate at all? How did the center of gravity begin to shift away from Kaskaskia and towards other parts of the state?
The book left me curious, and wanting to learn more about my state and this time period.
One question that stood out to me though was the role of the added northern part of the state around Chicago. Did the representatives in that area become involved in the statehood debate at all? How did the center of gravity begin to shift away from Kaskaskia and towards other parts of the state?
The book left me curious, and wanting to learn more about my state and this time period.
August 29, 2023
If you like Illinois history, or any state origin history for that matter, you may find this book very interesting. I found this book interesting and, for being somewhat academic, it moved along well!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews