Political History Commons^™

The Sovereign People, Minority Rights And State Judiciaries : An Historical Study Of Tocqueville's Majoritarian Thesis, Erica Goodwin

Dissertations and Theses

In the decade of the 1830's, Alexis de Tocqueville published a perceptive analysis of America in the Jacksonian era, which focused upon the customs, manners and intellectual habits of its citizens, and their social condition as seen through its political institutions. He advanced the proposition--a paradox of democracy--that equality of condition was as compatible with tyranny as with freedom. The social consensus, which stemmed from the wide acceptance of doctrine of equality and common wants and interests, when brought to bear upon legislator and judge, public official, juryman, and the non-conforming individual, he termed the "tyranny of the majority."

The Prosecutors Of Socrates And The Political Motive Theory, Thomas Patrick Kelly

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis presents a critical analysis of the historical roles assigned to the prosecutors of Socrates by modern historians.

Ancient sources relating to the trial and the principles involved, and modern renditions, especially those of John Burnet and A. E. Taylor, originators of the theory that the trial of Socrates was politically motivated, are critically analyzed and examined.

The thesis concludes that the political motive theory is not supported by the evidence on which it relies.

The Political And Constitutional Significance Of The Exclusion Crisis Of 1678-1681, Susan Diane Meyer-Strom

Dissertations and Theses

By examining the attack waged against the royal prerogative during the Exclusion Crisis of 1678-1681, this thesis asserts that the crisis was primarily constitutional in nature, rather than religious. This Parliamentary attempt to remove the Catholic heir presumptive from the succession endangered the monarchy by creating a Parliamentary title to the throne. Insofar as the exclusionists challenged the king's right to retain ministers at will, to grant pardons, and to determine the calling and dissolution of Parliamentary sessions, the crisis also constituted a direct assault upon the prerogatives of the present king. The implementation of Parliament's proposal to guarantee a …

Mission Of Protest : General John Armstrong's Response To The Continental System, 1806-1810, Thom M. Armstrong

Dissertations and Theses

Although not well known to students of American history today, General John Armstrong was, in his day, a prominent and colorful public figure. From 1804 to 1810, he held the difficult position of United States Minister to France at a time when the world was in upheaval resulting from the Napoleonic Ware. As Great Britain and France struggled for supremacy, the United States--the world's foremost neutral commercial power--was slowly, but inevitably, drawn into this struggle, becoming the victim of the hostile edicts of the two major belligerents, as they wantonly violated established practices of international law.

The Swamp Land Act In Oregon, 1870-1895, Richard Mark Pintarich

Dissertations and Theses

The Swamp Land Act of 1849, originally intended to give the state of Louisiana the unproductive swamplands within its borders and use the proceeds to construct the drains and levees necessary to reclaim these lands, was extended to Oregon in 1860. Oregon did not act on the matter until 1870, but once begun, it became a prolific source of political corruption, fiscal irresponsibility, fraud, and land speculation and monopolization. Even though the physiography of Oregon was much different than the states in the Mississippi Valley, millions of acres of "swampland" were filed upon and the state sold hundreds of thousands …

Succession To The Caliphate In Early Islam, Faisal H. Al-Kathiri

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis will examine the succession to the Islamic Caliphate as it existed during the time of the orthodox Caliphs (632-661).

The Political And Constitutional Origins Of The Grand Remonstrance, James S. Hart Jr.

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis on the Grand Remonstrance represents an attempt to deal with the central question of Stuart Historiography, the question which asks "What were the causes of the English Civil War, and why did it occur when it did?" The question of causation is fundamental to an understanding of the early 17th century, and it has created considerable controversy among successive generations of historians. The central issue in question is whether the English Civil War was caused by a long term revolution in English society, generated by substantial changes in socio-economic conditions, or whether, in fact, it was caused by …

The Political Evolution Of Cameroon, 1884-1961, Victor Julius Ngoh

Dissertations and Theses

The research problem is an analysis of the political evolution of Cameroon from a colony in 1884 to an independent state in 1961. It involves not only the transition of the country from a colony to an independent state per se, but also the various factors which kindled the rise of nationalism in the country. The problem is rendered more interesting and complex by the fact that the country had, at different times in its colonial history, been a German colony, as well as British and French colonies – although technically Britain and France administered their respective portions of the …

Upton Sinclair And The 1934 California Gubernatorial Election, Patricia Lucy Hill

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis attempts to ascertain whether Upton Sinclair's Democratic nomination for governor of California in 1934 caused the resurgence of the Democratic Party in California, or whether his nomination was a product of that party's resurgence between 1928 and 1942. Given Sinclair's decision on the unsuitability of the Socialist Party, were his judgments that: (1) the Democratic Party was in resurgence and, (2) it was moving to the left, sound ones? To make these determinations the thesis investigates why Sinclair rushed to capture the Democratic nomination, exploring his methods and techniques and those used to defeat him. It also examines …

Politics Of Land Use : The Lengthy Saga Of Senate Bill 100, Kathleen Joan Zachary

Dissertations and Theses

Theoretical literature on the politics of land use is so limited that original research into the problem was required. The drafting and enactment of Senate Bill 100 by the Fifty-seventh Session of the Oregon Legislature provided the basis for researching my premise of need equals want. The bill designated state land use planning organizational structure.

The Land Use Policy Committee minutes and Legislative minutes were merged with information attained through personal interviews from a variety of participants in the drafting of the Senate Bill 100. Theoretical literature was equally available in Public Administration, Law and Land Use Planning. The Constitutions …

In Their Hearts Forever: The Dynamics Of Stalinism, James Seymour Wilson

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is a general examination of the Soviet and East European crisis which followed the death of Joseph Stalin in March, 1953. Stalin's character, position, and power were such that the methods he employed in the government of the vast multi-national and multi-state empire bequeathed to his successors could not be made to function in his absence without reform and redefinition. The post-Stalin leadership realized that in order to consolidate its position at the head of the empire a careful program of "de-Stalinization" was mandatory. The prosecution of that program from the announcement of collective leadership in April, 1953, …

Partisans, Godmothers, Bicyclists, And Other Terrorists: Women In The French Resistance And Under Vichy, Rayna Kline

Dissertations and Theses

During the years 1940-1944, the period of the German Occupation, French women played an active role in the political sphere as part of the organized Resistance movements. The women who participated were not isolated examples, but an extremely diverse group that cut across social milieux, political alignments and religious persuasions. The range of their activity in the spectrum of roles and the differences in their style challenge the stereotypes and persistent attitudes in French culture about women’s nature.

Women were leaders in the principal Resistance movements, participated in the organization and dissemination of the underground press and in the organization …

Revolutions: A Comparative Study, Thomas E. Gill

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to describe and then to compare common descriptive characteristics (uniformities) evident within three historical events: the Paris Commune of 1871, the Zapatista Movement of the Mexican Revolution between 1910 and 1919, and the Spartacist Rebellion of 1919. One such uniformity is the fact that all three are abortive social revolutions.

The Pci Resurgent: 1943-1945, Karen Adele Tosi

Dissertations and Theses

The Italian Communist Party (PCI) emerged from the chaos of the Italian defeat in 1943 as a powerful and cohesive movement. Based upon organizational development throughout the years of Fascist rule in Italy, plus a combination of vigorous partisan activities and a willingness to compromise politically in exchange for governmental participation, the PCI showed promise for achieving economic and social change in Italy. Conservative countermeasures and Allied pressures, however, diminished the Communist advantage until, by 1947, the Party was no longer represented in the postwar government. The success apparent in the economic arena due to the Christian Democrat's program initiated …

New Odessa, 1882-1887: United We Stand, Divided We Fall, Helen E. Blumenthal

Dissertations and Theses

The Oregon Territory and later the State of Oregon have had a well-deserved reputation for encouraging free thought and liberal ideas. By tradition, Oregon has been the scene of rugged individualism, a proving ground for ideas and movements. The commune of New Odessa was one of the lesser known attempts of a group of immigrants coming from persecution in Russian to a new way of life in America.

This thesis is a study starting with the background of Russian Jewry, the social climate in the United States and particularly Oregon which allowed for the development of communes, the story of …

The United States Military In The Cuban Missile Crisis, Frank Joseph Wikenheiser

Dissertations and Theses

One of the most significant events in the Cold War-dominated years of the 1950's and early1960's was the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. It not only has been reputed by most authorities as a major turning point in the Soviet Union-American struggle, but it dramatically illustrated the critical dimension of thermo-nuclear weapons in international relations. In addition, and of particular interest to one directly involved, it showed that firmness in policy and proper application of military power are key factors in obtaining favorable and peaceful settlements of international disputes.

The American President As Legislative Leader: Historical Development Of The Role, Patricia Mathews Walhood

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis seeks to define the American President's role as legislative leader and to trace the origin and development of that role throughout the history of the office of the presidency. Presidents were not consistently active in this capacity until the middle of the twentieth century.

The first part of the thesis examines precedents set by strong presidents prior to and early in the twentieth century, as well as an important institutional change in the government, the creation of the Budget System, which smoothed the way for Presidential adoption of the tasks of legislative leader.

The middle sections of the …

Britain's Colonial Administrations And Developments, 1861-1960: An Analysis Of Britain's Colonial Administrations And Developments In Nigeria, Efiong Isaac Utuk

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is to indicate the positive British role in developing Nigeria during the Colonial period to the point that effective self-government became possible. The study is approached analytically, utilizing information primarily from printed sources, but including conclusions from the author's experience and informal interviews from local chiefs who lived through much of the Colonial period.

Between 1849 and 1906, West African territories were occupied by several European powers who subjected the peoples to a new type of administration. In Nigeria, Britain was the Colonial master. The British unquestionably benefited economically from their control of Nigeria, but, to their credit, …

The Diplomatic Stalemate Of Japan And The United States: 1941, David Hoien Overby

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis contends from the time of September 1940 to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States and Japan offered each no workable concessions that might have deterred war. A stalemate was finally established between the two countries. The position of the Japanese nation was to expand and control "Greater East-Asia," while the position the United States held was one that claimed all nations should uphold certain basic principles of democracy, that all nations should honor the sanctity of treaties," and that they should treat neighboring countries in a friendly fashion.

This thesis also contends that Yosuke Matsuoka …

The Grim Security Of The Past: The Historiography Of Henry Cabot Lodge, Claude Singer

Dissertations and Theses

By birth, education, and association, Henry Cabot Lodge belonged to an established New England tradition of attention to history and respect for historical writing. He lived during troubled times, and he realized, as his writings indicate, that America was rapidly changing, that old habits were disappearing, and that powerful new forces were at work in the nation and the world. How Lodge reacted to these circumstances is reflected, in part, in his historical writing.

This thesis is an examination of Lodge's historiographic efforts. It is an attempt, through an analysis of style and predominant themes, to describe the cultural values …

W. S. U'Ren And The Fight For Government Reform And The Single Tax: 1908-1912, David Elvin Lindstrom

Dissertations and Theses

In the study of Oregon politics, the importance of developments in the early twentieth century have been largely overlooked by popular historians. As a result, many have lost the perspective of the sweeping reforms that reformers presented to Oregon's electorate. Another complicating factor is that voters dealing with the issues during the period had such disparaging attitudes towards some of the reforms, that no thought was given to preserving their memory for future generations. In addition, the personal papers of W. S. U'Ren, Oregon's leading reformer, are not available. This makes perspective even more difficult. Therefore, the research problem is …

The Transition To Nazism, The History Of The German Town Of Pfungstadt, 1928 To 1935, David E. Arns

Dissertations and Theses

Pfungstadt is a small German town which to date has not earned a footnote in the histories of either the Weimar Republic or the Third Reich. Based upon the efforts of men in towns like Pfungstadt (and towns which were not like Pfungstadt) the members of the Nazi party built a political structure which reached to the pinnacle upon which Adolf Hitler stood. Researching the growth of the Nazi party, the intense struggles that occurred with democratic forces, the seizure of power and the installation of a workable system of government is the problem. This thesis in no way purports …

Hipólito Irigoyen's Second Administration: A Study In Administrative Collapse, Herman John Hobi

Dissertations and Theses

In 1928 Hipólito lrigoyen was the most popular President that the Argentine people had elected. Two years later his popularity had evaporated and a few hundred military cadets ousted the government. The reasons go beyond this two-year period. Argentina, contrary to popular belief, did not have a democratic tradition. The nation had been ruled by the dominant economic interests up to 1916.

In 1916, Hipólito Irigoyen was elected to his first term. The people expected him to provide them with a decent and honorable life. But in choosing the legal path of elections instead of revolution Irigoyen pre-empted any revolutionary …

François Pierre Guillaume Guizot: An Intellectual Approach, Elbert Hardy Cave

Dissertations and Theses

The problem of this study was to present an intellectual picture of a man who is too often written off as a mere politician and a failure at that.

In approaching the problem, his works were used heavily, though availability was a problem. François Guizot, the man studied, wrote profusely, on a large variety of subjects, including philosophy, religion, history, political theory, and education. All of these areas were covered in the study. His private papers and correspondence are, for the most part, unpublished, though the eight volumes of his Mémoires were extremely helpful.

There are many good biographical studies …

Foreign Policy Decisions Which Led To United States Military Occupation Of The Dominican Republic, Bert Lewis Junior Farrar

Dissertations and Theses

To achieve independence, the Dominican Republic had to first endure three centuries of heavy-handed Spanish rule and period of Haitian domination that lasted for twenty-two years. Fear of Haitian reconquest, however, convinced the leading Dominican politicians that the new nation could not long endure without foreign protection.

Encouraged by Dominican offers of a naval base, the United States toyed with the idea of expansion in the Caribbean as early as 1850, but civil war cut short these notions and allowed Spain to reassert control over her former colony. Although Spanish occupation ended in failure the United States became more determined …

The Political Role Of Religious Pacifism During The Inter-War Years, Ancil K. Nance

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to make a judgment concerning the effectiveness of the selected political actions of certain religious peace groups during the inter-war years. Information was obtained from the Portland State University Library, the Multnomah County Library, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Oregon office, the national offices of the American Friends Service Committee, the National Council of Churches, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Conversations with people who had been involved with the peace movement included Roland Bainton, Jerome Davis, G. Bernhard Fedde, Carlin Kapper-Johnson, and Mark Chamberlin. Periodicals that provided much of the information about …

Nicholas N. Muraviev, Conqueror Of The Black Dragon, Eric E. Oulashin

Dissertations and Theses

The essential objective of this study was to reveal the degree to which one man, Nicholas Muraviev, was instrumental in bringing about Russia's annexation of The Amur basin, as well as the territory that became the Maritime Province of Siberia. Introductory chapters provide: a) a background summary of Muraviev's education and of his career prior to his service in Siberia and b) a brief historical survey of the area in which his achievements raised Russia to the position of a Far Eastern Power. The main body of the study comprises an analytical narrative of Muraviev's activities during the decade that …

Patrick J. Hurley And China, 1944-1945, Robert T. Handy

Dissertations and Theses

On November 26, 1945, the Ambassador to China, Patrick J. Hurley, announced his resignation to the American press. In doing so, he leveled charges against the State Department and a number of its Foreign Service officers—charges which questioned the integrity of many, in their relation with what Hurley termed the “Imperialist” and communist nations in China. Those charges were the beginning of two and one-half decades of ideological crusading in America by many who developed the theory that those men charged by Hurley had been responsible for America’s “loss of China”

Hurley was sent to China in 1944 as President …

The Library Board And The Conscientious Objector: A Study In War Hysteria, Annette Martha Bartholomae

Dissertations and Theses

The Selective Service Act of 1917 made provision for the exemption of conscientious objectors belonging to certain religious bodies. It did not provide protection for the sincere individual objector against vilification from a public who labeled him disloyal, unpatriotic, and pro-Hun.

This report is based on an incident which occurred in Portland, Oregon. It involves the assistant librarian of the Library Association of Portland who was a conscientious objector, and the repercussions which her stand had on the library board, the head librarian, and the public in general.

In April of 1918, Portland had just completed a successful drive for …