In 1831 Year of Eclipse, Louis P. Masur explores American history during 1831. Masur argues that the year 1831 held historical significance as a result of the issues and experiences of Americans and their leadership. Masur divides the year 1831 into five main sections: Eclipse, Slavery and Abolition, Religion and Politics, State and Nation, and Machines and Nature. Within each section, Masur focuses on major issues and people within the topic. For example, the State and Nation section focused upon Native Americans, The Bank of the United States, nullification, and included actors such as Andrew Jackson, John Marshall, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun. These sections provide relevant historical figures and primary sources with which Masur
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Most often, the author incorporates the eclipse at the end of other sections to create a sense of foreboding within the audience about the necessity of solving the pressing issues of 1831. This feeling of dread increases as a result of the audience’s background knowledge, as most readers know of the approaching Civil War. Masur’s usage of the eclipse within his argument is encapsulated by the second quote in the preface: “In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs - John Milton, Paradise Lost.” Masur’s incorporation of this quote, based upon his later argument, depicts the general reaction of the American people to the arrival of the eclipse; a feeling of dread associated with impending changes to American …show more content…
Masur provides an overview of five different subject matters which occurred in 1831. To support his argument, the author employs a variety of primary sources in order to illustrate the differing viewpoints of eyewitnesses during that year. The major strengths of Masur’s thesis follows his usage of primary sources, allowing him to paint a picture of the significance of the year in American history. He also strengthens his argument by adding weight to the more pressing issues from 1831, slavery and nullification. The added emphasis informs the audience of the time-constraints with solving these issues. On the other hand, the lack of connections between each topic weakens Masur’s argument, as the lack of continuity leaves the audience with questions. Altogether, 1831 Year of Eclipse provides an effective general overview of historical events and issues pressing both average Americans and political
Most often, the author incorporates the eclipse at the end of other sections to create a sense of foreboding within the audience about the necessity of solving the pressing issues of 1831. This feeling of dread increases as a result of the audience’s background knowledge, as most readers know of the approaching Civil War. Masur’s usage of the eclipse within his argument is encapsulated by the second quote in the preface: “In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs - John Milton, Paradise Lost.” Masur’s incorporation of this quote, based upon his later argument, depicts the general reaction of the American people to the arrival of the eclipse; a feeling of dread associated with impending changes to American …show more content…
Masur provides an overview of five different subject matters which occurred in 1831. To support his argument, the author employs a variety of primary sources in order to illustrate the differing viewpoints of eyewitnesses during that year. The major strengths of Masur’s thesis follows his usage of primary sources, allowing him to paint a picture of the significance of the year in American history. He also strengthens his argument by adding weight to the more pressing issues from 1831, slavery and nullification. The added emphasis informs the audience of the time-constraints with solving these issues. On the other hand, the lack of connections between each topic weakens Masur’s argument, as the lack of continuity leaves the audience with questions. Altogether, 1831 Year of Eclipse provides an effective general overview of historical events and issues pressing both average Americans and political