Presents the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, explaining that Francis Scott Key's poem is not mere patriotic rhetoric, but is rooted in an important moment in U.S. history and in the joy that Key felt when the dawn revealed the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry following the destruction of Washington, D.C. and attack on Baltimore. (SM)

This textbook may be used as a supplementary text in history and English classes, or as an independent text. The selections, taken from a wide variety of sources, constitute a body of patriotic literature that will not fail to appeal to boys and girls to whom love of country, in these stirring times, is becoming a very real thing. The study helps…

Examines the nature of 19th century U.S. nationalism. Contends that a by-product of it was the emergence of a political atmosphere which was not conducive to critical questioning of government policies which violated Indian rights, propelled the country into an unjust war with Mexico, and allowed the mistreatment of millions of blacks. (BSR)

Educational materials such as textbooks often reflect and define a culture through the use of symbols and metaphors. The use of visual metaphors in frontispieces of reading and spelling texts during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries show the emergence of a patriotic iconography. (DF)

Explores the differing lyrical perceptions of war and military activity depicted in popular songs during World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. The role of music in reinforcing patriotism is discussed, as well as the antiwar sentiment of the Vietnam era. (31 references) (LRW)

Patrick Henry dominated the politics of Virginia and was a powerful voice in the affairs of the early United States. He became a lawyer at age 23 and rose to prominence following his victory in "The Parsons Case." Soon after, he was elected to the House of Burgesses where he challenged the control of the wealthy, established members and…

Changes in sex-related symbolism during the late 1700s are traced and gender is analyzed as a cultural, historical construct. The word "virtue" became gender bound so that public virtues, such as heroism, were inherently masculine. Feminine virtues were things such as a mother passively donating her sons to the revolution. (VM)

The Know-Nothing party of the 1850s was the first nativist party in American politics to gain importance and serves as an exemplar of how cultural nativism may be captured and turned toward political goals. The resurgence of nativist sentiment in the Know-Nothing era provides an excellent example of a rhetorical situation which seriously…

Today's climate of supercharged patriotism and apparent intolerance for comment or critique calls to mind an earlier period of U.S. history. The Cold War that began in the mid-to late-1940s, along with McCarthyism and the anti-communist movement in the early 1950s, created an atmosphere of national hysteria and paranoia. For the past decade,…

The major threat to Native languages embodied in the "English Only" movement is discussed and ways that the United States historically has allowed language freedom is documented. The following points are made: (1) contrary to myth, the United States has never been a monolingual country; (2) for most of U.S. history, the dominant federal…

Sakamoto used his newspaper to promote his approach to better race relations. His solution to racism was to become more patriotic in order to prove worthiness of American citizenship. In his disapproval of labor unions and in his cooperation with intelligence agencies he aided the victimization of his people. (VM)

To preserve and perpetuate the ideals and principles of American democracy it is essential that they be understood. This publication, based upon research, brings to the school administrator, the teacher, or the layman an opportunity to further understand these ideals and principles. It presents a concise analysis and compilation of State laws…

Traces the legal history of the school flag movement and efforts of religious groups to have the mandatory salute abolished. Suggests that schools must educate students for true citizenship and what it means to live in a democracy. Argues that the flag should be a symbol of freedom rather than the object of empty pledges. (DK)

The contributions made during World War II by Mexican-American women on the home front have not been recognized in their proper historical perspective. Like their Anglo counterparts, these women took up the responsibilities left by their men and worked to support the war effort. In 1944 the Mexican-American women of Tucson formed La Asociacion…

With the backing of America's wealthy citizenry, Joseph Dixon organized the 1913 Expedition of Citizenship in an effort to advance the acculturation of American Indians. Dixon's efforts were a melodramatic charade in which the Indians gained nothing but patriotic rituals, still practiced at tribal meetings and powwows. Too late, Dixon realized the…