How the states got their shapes

I mentioned in 2306 this week that I should have added to the slides on federalism a link to a book and accompanying television show called How the States Got Their Shapes. It complements the arguments that one of the purposes of the national government was to facilitate westward expansion and the creation of new states to the west.

I'll make the addition next semester, but here are links to the television show here, and to the book here.

Here's a You Tube video of the author discussing the book.