'Poems of American History, Volume 5, The Period of Expansion' Summary

'Poems of American History, Volume 5' delves into the dynamic period of expansion and transformation that followed the American Civil War. The poems within explore a range of themes, including the Reconstruction era, the westward expansion, the assassination of President Garfield, the Spanish-American War, and the early years of World War I. The collection features works by prominent American poets such as John Greenleaf Whittier, Bret Harte, Oliver Wendell Holmes, William Cullen Bryant, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, showcasing their diverse approaches to capturing the spirit and complexities of this pivotal era. The poems often express sentiments of patriotism, national identity, and the challenges and opportunities that emerged as the United States grew into a global power.