In Indiana 1816–1850: The Pioneer Era (vol. 2, History of Indiana Series), author Donald F. Carmony explores the political, economic, agricultural, and educational developments in the early years of the nineteenth state. Carmony's book also describes how and why Indiana developed as it did during its formative years and its role as a member of the United States. The book includes a bibliography, notes, and index.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ... Systematic Internal Improvements 66 The Problem, The People, And The Legislature Immediately after the War of 1812 there arose in all parts of the United States a demand for internal improvements constructed by the government. The rise of a political party favoring this policy is contemporaneous with the admission of Indiana into the Union. The party found its strength among the farmers, and was based on a legitimate economic need. The farmers throughout the State possessed an abundance of fertile land. Their surplus products were of little value to them, since a large part, and frequently all, of their profits were eaten up in transportation. Their markets were the seaboard cities, and the farther west the farmer was, the less valuable was his surplus grain. Every State from New York south and west was busy from 1816 to 1840 developing and perfecting its own system. Legislators and legislatures were called wise just in proportion to the completeness and inclusiveness of their systems. Every State finally caught the fever, and in the two decades following the close of the War of 1812 they rolled up a combined internal improvement debt aggregating $225,000,000.1 Pennsylvania took the lead in amount, while New York led in time and spirit, and was the only one to carry the policy to success. At the very time when the Indiana General Assembly was holding its first session, the future policy of the United States toward internal improvement was being decided. In the session of Congress, convened in 1816, a select committee,2 ap 1 American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1840. 105, Boston. 2 McMaster, A History of the People of the United States, IV. 411. pointed on motion of Calhoun, introduced a bill setting...

In Indiana to 1816: The Colonial Period (vol. 1, History of Indiana Series), authors John D. Barnhart and Dorothy L. Riker present Indiana's past from its prehistory through the advance to statehood. Topics covered include the French and British presence, the American Revolution, and the territorial days. Reprinted in 1999, the book includes a bibliography, notes, and index.

This book contains the fundamental governing document for the state of Indiana, as well as sixteen articles. The Indiana Constitution has gone through several revisions. The first was established on June 10, 1816, when the Territory of Indiana sent forty-three delegates to a constitutional convention to establish a constitution for the proposed State of Indiana after the United States Congress agreed to grant statehood, and the constitution was approved. Indiana's fundamental law was heavily influenced by existing state constitutions, particularly those of Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. The original constitution was passed without being put to a vote by the people. The current constitution is an amendment to the Constitution of 1851.

A supplemental textbook for middle and high school students, Hoosiers and the American Story provides intimate views of individuals and places in Indiana set within themes from American history. During the frontier days when Americans battled with and exiled native peoples from the East, Indiana was on the leading edge of America’s westward expansion. As waves of immigrants swept across the Appalachians and eastern waterways, Indiana became established as both a crossroads and as a vital part of Middle America. Indiana’s stories illuminate the history of American agriculture, wars, industrialization, ethnic conflicts, technological improvements, political battles, transportation networks, economic shifts, social welfare initiatives, and more. In so doing, they elucidate large national issues so that students can relate personally to the ideas and events that comprise American history. At the same time, the stories shed light on what it means to be a Hoosier, today and in the past.