Some Social Ideas of Francis Parkman

Abstract

ALTHOUGH THE eminence of Francis Parkman as a historian has been universally recognized, his social ideas have long been the subject of controversy. In his historical writings Parkman's views find best expression in the Old Regime of 1874 which was praised by the discriminating Henry Adams because of its high philosophical interest.' This work provoked vituperative criticism in Canada, however, and one reviewer wrote that the author had used the word but six hundred times to nullify concessions made to the Canadians.2 Parkman has been accused of being anti-democratic, anti-clerical and anti-Indian. He was condemned for opposing universal manhood suffrage, woman suffrage, philanthropy and pacifism. In analyzing Parkman's character a distinguished Frenchman rightly pointed out that the historian was negative in many of his views.3 An example of what might be called Parkman's negative thinking is found in his attitude toward democracy. Although he believed in representative government, he wanted leadership to rest in the hands of the intelligent, public-spirited segment of the population. A vigorous, masculine society,