Nature’s Metropolis: William Cronon
Sugar Creek: John Faragher
Both of those have quite a lot of primary sources in them. Actual photocopies, and sometimes they are a bit hard to read since the handwritting back then is not what we are used to reading.
You may also feel free to read up on Kennecott Journey by William Cronon; Iseminger’s “Culture and Environment in the Ameircas”; White’s “The Middle Ground” I’d focus on the first few chapters, but feel free to read the entire book if you want.
As for “Democracy in America” I just had a brain stumble and forgot the name of the author. However, a brief search would have immediately gotten it for you, Alexis de Touqsville. He’s kinda famous you know, and he very specifically states in numerous sections of his novel (which is a good read, but very long!) that women had universal sufferage even though they did not have the right to go vote if they were married.
In fact, my entire thesis on women being equal to men, in society if not genetically, is almost a carbon copy of his arguments.
After you finish all that, if you want more sources, let me know. Just about anything written about history of the area (either Illinois itself or the United States) from non-biased sources before 1940 will reinforce my argument (and Mr. Toucquville’s.)
Gee, btw, all that took roughly 1 minute. I’m surprised you couldn’t go find those sources yourself given the information I gave you (you know, the titles of the books and all.)
