Ad Americam: Journal of American Studies is an open-access interdisciplinary journal edited once a year at Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. Ad Americam publishes double-blind peer-reviewed articles by scholars on North and Latin American history, politics, law, culture, sociology and comparative studies.
The Fears of the Non-Slave States and How They Led to the Prosecution of the Civil War
The fundamental reason the non-slave states prosecuted the Civil War was their fear of the domination exhibited by the slave states, both economically and, especially, politically. Such anxieties stemmed from a perceived threat to their own freedoms and liberties, rather than a problem with racism against and oppression of the slaves. The political dominance led to fear that the slave states would overwhelm the non-slave states politically, even to the degree of totally eliminating them. A significant and vital illustration regarding the political dread was epitomized in the expression and fear of the “Slave Power”. It was feared that the “Slave Power” would destroy the rights and freedoms of white people just as it had done to Africans. The dread of economic hegemony led to a desire to destroy it before it destroyed the economies of the non-slave states. The non-slave states also had a trepidation of slavery expansion, for example into the new territories and even into other countries which would increase the overall sway of the slave states. The total impact of the above was that to prevent any of it from occurring, the nonslave states went to war.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Role of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s 1921 U.S. Visit and Its Coverage in The New York Times in Shaping the Global Phenomenon of Her Legacy
This article examines the role of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s 1921 visit to the United States, its extensive coverage in The New York Times and the possible influence it might have had in shaping the global phenomenon of her legacy. Orchestrated by journalist Missy Meloney, Curie’s visit captured the American imagination through a compelling blend of scientific purpose and human interest. The donation of a gram of radium for her research, coupled with widespread admiration and media attention, marked a turning point in both Curie’s international reputation and public perception of women in science. Central to this transformation was The New York Times, whose articles between February and September 1921 constructed a narrative of perseverance, sacrifice and scientific heroism. Through close analysis of these articles, alongside historical records and Curie’s own reflections, the study explores how media framing contributed to her mythologization and helped anchor her status as a scientific icon. By tracing this media-mediated legacy, the article highlights the enduring influence of press narratives in shaping historical memory and the public vaporization of scientific achievement.
The Erection of the Berlin Wall (1961), as Perceived by Dean Rusk and Anatoly Dobrynin, in their Memoirs
The Berlin Wall has become a symbol of Soviet power, arrogance, and militarism, while US policy at the time is often perceived as flexible and conciliatory. Nevertheless, neither portrayal is entirely accurate. Memoirs by Secretary Dean Rusk and Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin reveal that the Soviets were initially hesitant about the idea, which was primarily driven by East German communists pursuing their own agenda. In contrast, Washington’s response seemed slow and indecisive. Consequently, the US approach to the 1961 Berlin Crisis was ineffective and counterproductive; the memoirs suggest that more could have been achieved had American leadership demonstrated greater resolve. The article examines decision-making during the Berlin Crisis from the 1940s to 1961. An analysis of events and their interpretations by Rusk and Dobrynin reveals that a divided Germany and Berlin aligned with the interests of both the Soviet Union and the United States. Thus, the conventional view of the USSR as the key driver of the Cold War status quo and the US as its staunch opponent is misleading. Germany and Berlin were locked into the arrangements of the 1945 Yalta Conference, which remained unchanged until the fall of communism in 1989. The East German communists persuaded the Soviets to build the Wall, while the US had no intention of altering the Yalta agreement. The primary sources confirm this perspective unequivocally.
International Affairs in Ronald Reagan’s 1980 Presidential Campaign
In general opinion, international affairs do not play a decisive role in shaping Americans’ attitudes in presidential elections. However, extensive documentation on the campaign activities of Republican candidate Ronald Reagan against Democrat Jimmy Carter allows for an examination of the validity of this claim. Considering Reagan’s inclusion of key issues in his campaign platform — such as the restoration of the United States’ political and military potential, criticism of Carter’s policies (symbolized by the SALT II treaty, which enabled Soviet rearmament) and the irrational adherence to détente — it becomes evident that the Republican candidate addressed concerns that resonated with the electorate. Through Reagan’s speeches, Americans increasingly realized that the Soviet Union had exploited détente to expand its military capabilities and pursue aggressive actions in Africa, in cooperation with Cuba, ultimately leading to the invasion of Afghanistan. These developments were increasingly perceived as a consequence of Carter’s weakness as President. Such sentiments were particularly widespread following the hostage crisis in Tehran, where Islamic radicals seized the US Embassy and took 53 Americans hostage. As a result, voters’ attention to international affairs increased more than in previous elections, leading to greater support for strengthening the United States’ global position. Naturally, economic conditions in the US and citizens’ personal hardships remained crucial factors, as many Americans faced declining living standards. However, these were not the sole determinants of electoral preferences. This election was, to some extent, different from previous ones, with the majority of voters favoring a candidate who projected the dynamism necessary for improving their situation and reinforcing the US role in global affairs. For many, that candidate was Ronald Reagan, who further bolstered his chances of victory through his exceptional ability to communicate with the electorate, earning him the title “The Great Communicator”.
Contributions from the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora
Since the beginning of the 21st century, due to the growing water crisis and drought in the Southwest, water policy in the United States has become a crucial field of conflict between federal, state and tribal interests. Since 2000, the American Southwest has been experiencing severe droughts that, combined with outdated river management and overallocation of limited water supplies, put the Colorado River at serious risk. The Navajo Nation (Diné), living in the water-scarce, arid region, is disproportionately impacted by the crisis, with almost one-third of households lacking running water on the reservation. Despite the reservation’s historical and legal claims to water based on treaties and legal doctrines, the federal government has repeatedly failed to secure their water rights, leaving many Diné communities without basic water infrastructure, which leads to severe health, economic and cultural disparities. The article examines the intersection of historical, legal, social and environmental factors contributing to the Navajo Nation’s limited access to safe drinking water. The analysis begins with an overview of the history of the people, including the treaty-making and relocation era, which greatly contributed to the lack of resources that the Navajo Nation experiences today. Thereafter, the article explores the legal side of the issue, along with the Winters Doctrine (1908), the Colorado River Compact, as well as the Arizona v. California (1963) and Arizona v. Navajo Nation (2023) cases. The article also explores the empirical data regarding the current water crisis in the reservation, systemic barriers, such as industrial exploitation, infrastructure neglect, and the exacerbating effects of climate change, that perpetuate the crisis. Furthermore, it considers the cultural and spiritual significance of water for the Diné people, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of sovereignty and resilience.
Canadian WWII Veterans Charter as Foundation of Modern Canadian Welfare State
Security and prosperity are regarded as the cornerstones of Canadian society, where the government plays a vital role in establishing the universal social security system, earning the country the designation of a welfare state. The current model has its origins in World War II, particularly with the introduction of a comprehensive program for veteran re-establishment—known as the Veterans Charter. The aim of this paper is to explore the solutions that formed the foundation of the Canadian WWII Veterans Charter and the subsequent impact they had on the development of the welfare state in Canada.
This paper aims to examine how groups of Indigenous Peoples, specifically Dakota and Ojibwe in Minnesota, are currently being portrayed and perceived by the general audience in the contemporary cultural environment. To this end, an analysis of two complementary elements of discourse has been conducted. These are (a) literature as an important and in-depth way of describing local reality through both fiction and non fiction, and (b) local media, which provide everyday knowledge about the state’s Indigenous communities, with a special emphasis on Minnesota’s acclaimed public media. The article’s goal, therefore, is to highlight the similarities and differences between narratives presented by literature and media.
Perspectives on Art in the Reflections of Polish Émigré Writers
The article presents an overview of the perspectives on art taken by Polish émigré writers who either settled in the United States or Canada, or who lived on the North American continent for a period of time. The author juxtaposes the reflections on art of Polish émigré poets such as Anna Frajlich, Andrzej Busza and Wacław Iwaniuk, as expressed in their poetry, with the understanding of art as presented in the American essays written by Julia Hartwig and Wojciech Karpiński. Though their texts belong to separate literary genres, together they create a more complex overview of reflections on the special relationship between a piece of art and a writer contemplating it. In this study the author examines the correlation between visual perception and visual thinking of each writer and focuses also on the idea of visual imagination.
Comic Books as the Modern American Mythology
This article describes comics as a modern form of mythology. Comic book artists not only adapt well‑known American myths, such as the power of money (Batman) or America as a home for immigrants (Superman), but they also co‑create new ones along with other cultural works. For one of the characteristics of mythology is taming, explaining and commenting on reality in the form of fantastic tales. All of American history and the image of society can be found in comics. The lives of immigrants in the early twentieth century and experiences of the World Wars were illustrated in short comics that appeared in the daily press. The events of the Cold War such as the arms race and the Vietnam War were portrayed through the eyes of famous characters such as the Fantastic Four and Iron Man. Comics were also the target of Puritan society. Just like the Hays Code concerning cinema, the system of self‑censorship called the Comics Code limited artistic freedom and forced some artists to create underground. In turn, the counterculture of the 1960’s led to a gradual liberalization, allowing the adventures of African and Afro‑American superheroes to be published. Likewise, the economic crisis of the 1970s, problems in American society and the Reagan era are reflected in such comics as The Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Surprisingly, the economic boom of the 1990s brought about a creative crisis and financial troubles among publishers. Last but not least, the events of 9/11 gave comic book stories new power when superheroes began to fight against terrorists and to explore the issue of what is more important: national security or civil liberties. All of this indicates and highlights that the history of American comic books is closely linked with the history of the American nation.
Copyright (c) 2014 Dawid Przywalny https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Józef Młot‑Mróz, a Polish refugee living in Salem, Massachusetts, was an anti‑communist, an anti‑Semite, and a right‑wing extremist. His political activity was frequent and varied, and he is thought to have participated in hundreds of demonstrations and distributed over a million copies of a hate sheet he regularly edited. He considered himself a one‑man crusader against communism, and as such was a frequent counter‑protester to many progressive and left‑wing initiatives. As the founder and only president of the Anti‑Communist Confederation of Polish Freedom Fighters, Młot‑Mróz often used the organization as a mouthpiece for his own views. His obsession with fighting “Jewish‑Communism” was heavily influenced by the notion of the “Jewish conspiracy” and other common anti‑Semitic tropes. This made his activity somewhat of a concern for Jewish Americans in New England. Due to the erratic nature of his behavior, he received noticeable press coverage in various parts of the U.S., especially in the Greater Boston area, where he became quite recognizable. He was not recognized by the wider Polish American community, which suggests a lack of support for extremist ideas within that ethnic group during the Cold War.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Kosciuszko Foundation, Its Alumni and American Studies: The Purpose of the Special Volume
The text explains the idea behind publishing a special issue of “Ad Americam. Journal of American Studies” dedicated to the Kosciuszko Foundation. It also discusses the role that the Foundation has played for Polish scholars, and focuses on its contribution to the continuous development of the field of American studies through the grants awarded to researchers specializing in American affairs. The text additionally discusses the initiatives undertaken by the Kosciuszko Foundation Alumni in order to promote the Foundation’s ideas, programs and knowledge acquired by its former grantees. The final section briefly presents the authors contributing to the volume and their research.
The Kosciuszko Foundation’s 100th anniversary
A Short Introduction to the History of the Kosciuszko Foundation and Its Programs
The text outlines the history of the Kosciuszko Foundation, paying special attention to the life of its founder, Szczepan Mierzwa, who came to the USA in 1910, at the age of 17. By 1925 he changed his name to Stephen Mizwa, became Assistant Professor of Economics at Drake University, and founded the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City, which has been providing financial support to Polish scholars ever since. The text also gives an overview of all the programs that the Kosciuszko Foundation currently offers to Polish and American scholars and students.
Kosciuszko Foundation programs and grants
The classical Virtue Epistemology, one of the most interesting contributions of late 20th century American philosophy, proposed to analyze knowledge and epistemic evaluation in general in terms of intellectual virtues. In this approach, these virtues were understood as faculties or personal traits that contribute to the production of knowledge and other epistemic goods. However, the value of some plausible candidates for intellectual virtues, which can be called “generous virtues,” cannot be explained in those terms. This paper proposes a novel account of the general value of intellectual virtues that includes other‑regarding ones. To that end, it considers three strategies of socialization of Virtue Epistemology, and proposes original solution: Epistemic Social Environmentalism.
Gorbachev – Reagan Geneva Summit, November 1985
This article is a review of the negotiations between the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and the General Secretary of the CPSU, Mikhail Gorbachev, during their summit meeting on 19‑21 November 1985 in Geneva. The text is based on the thesis about the importance of direct contacts between the leaders of superpowers for developing fundamental changes in their security policy. It answers the research question about how negotiation tactics lead to defining differences and areas of understanding that significantly influenced the entire policies of the U.S. and the USSR. The available materials from the American perspective provide insight into the formation of the United States’ position and its efforts to understand Soviet policy. During the Geneva summit, the discussions lasted for hours. These negotiations confirmed the willingness of both sides to increase nuclear security but also highlighted irreconcilable differences of opinion. The most significant difference concerned the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and its place in the security system. Although this issue could not be resolved, progress was made on several matters related to the direction of START and INF talks. The results of this summit provided a solid foundation for further discussions and mutual visits, leading to meetings in Reykjavik, Washington, and Moscow.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Theological Evolution and the Impact of the (Black) Social Gospel on His Political Views
Parts of this research were also supported by the Excellence Initiative – Research University program at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (POB FutureSoc; WSMiP.5.2.2023.23) The aim of this article is to analyze Martin Luther King Jr.’s theological evolution and to present theological ideas that influenced his political views, paying special attention to the (Black) social gospel. The article also provides an overview of the academic debate among King scholars who differ in opinions on the importance of various elements of his theological outlook and their influence on his activism. Referring to Gary Dorrien’s definition and analysis of the influence of the Black social gospel, a tradition of the Black Church that was often omitted in earlier analyses, I will discuss his contribution to this debate.
The purpose of the article is to present a brief overview of the Americanization movement during the Great War, which strongly impacted the national policy on this matter and its evolution. National unity became particularly important and urgent in the context of war, especially after the U.S. entered the conflict. This involvement led to vigorous efforts to Americanize “all Americans,” as advocated by key players. Consequently, considerable attention from the government, various agencies, state and local offices, and several organizations focused on the foreign‑born and unassimilated immigrants, who were expected to demonstrate full loyalty, contribute to the U.S. workforce, and engage in patriotic service for the adopted country. The war’s urgent demands for workers, recruits, and loyal Americans accelerated the implementation of new Americanization avenues and sped up the assimilation policy for immigrants and the foreign‑born. The government, businesses, philanthropies, and various organizations propagated, conducted and implemented numerous programs addressed to these groups. The primary aim was to educate and prepare them for their duties to their new country, particularly aiding the war effort. Many immigrants assimilated through English language courses and thus were better prepared for American life. They contributed to the war effort by Hooverizing, working on the home front, buying Liberty Bonds and enlisting in the U.S. Army. Immigrant women were also a focus, with programs designed to prepare them for American values and community life through education and patriotic initiatives.
Polish Pioneer Communities in the Pacific Northwest
The article explores four pioneer Polish American communities in Washington State: Pe Ell, Wilkeson, Aberdeen and Enumclaw. These small towns thrived on timber industry (Pe Ell, Aberdeen), coal mining (Wilkeson) and farming (Enumclaw). In each location, Poles established a lodge of the Polish National Alliance, and in three of these communities,they successfully opened a Polish Hall. In addition, they contributed to founding a Roman Catholic church in each town and successfully advocated for a Polish‑speaking pastorate. In Pe Ell, they also established and maintain the Holy Cross parish of the schismaticPolish National Catholic Church for many decades (1916‑1970). By presenting this information, the article aims to shed light on a lesser‑known aspect of Polish diaspora history in the United States.
Circular Water and Wastewater Management in State College, Pennsylvania
In recent years, great attention has been paid to activities aimed at implementing a circular economy (CE) in the management of water resources around the world. One of the possibilities for the practical implementation of CE, based on the sustainable management of primary and secondary resources (waste), is the circular management of water and wastewater generated in urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This work presents examples of good practices in the implementation of CE in the college town of State College, Pennsylvania (United States of America). There are two WWTPs here – one belonging to Penn State University (Water Reclamation Facility) and another operated by the municipality (University Area Joint Authority). Both facilities implement CE goals through various initiatives dedicated to water, raw materials and energy recovery. The scope of these activities include using reclaimed water for irrigation of green areas, production of renewable energy, as well as recovery of biogenic components by processing sewage sludge in compost. This approach, where the university and municipality propose solutions in the environmental and social areas, is consistent with the idea of building social responsibility of units, which is a path to sustainability. Further actions to implement the CE model are expected to counteract ongoing climate change in various regions.
This essay explores the concept of nation branding and its importance in shaping a country’s image and reputation on the global stage. It discusses this concept using the example of two Latin American countries, Peru, and Mexico. As nations increasingly compete on the global arena, branding strategies have become essential for projecting a positive image that attracts investment, tourism, and international recognition. Moreover, nation branding is steadily growing in importance and more and more countries around the world are devoting resources to developing their nation brand. By exploring the cases of Peru and Mexico, this study shows the components of nation branding in practice. In addition, the essay discusses the potential benefits of implementing a nation branding strategy, especially in an increasingly connected and competitive world. This paper aims to shed light on the complexities of nation branding and encourages a critical examination of the strategies used by countries in defining their national identity on the global stage.
Risks of Using Artificial Intelligence in Creating the Image of Politicians and in Electoral Campaigns
In the light of the rapid development of advanced technologies in recent years, many questions have been raised about the future application of available technological solutions in various spheres of life, including politics. An important issue that should be discussed in this field concerns the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence algorithms in creating the public image of politicians and in electoral campaigns. This paper is based on the concept of eroded epistemics, which is a part of Existential Risk Analysis for AI research. Using the AI Safety Research perspectives of monitoring and systemic safety, it examines the potential risks of using AI in politics and ways to minimize them. The analysis is based on the examples of actions of American politicians. Firstly, the threats of using deepfake technology in creating and manipulating the image of politicians such as Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, are presented. The second part of the paper discusses user profiling and microtargeting strategies and how they may form opinions and influence voters’ decisions. Finally, examples of present‑day solutions that are being developed to combat these risks are described.
Cultural Chronicles – Uncovering the Legacy of Oppressive Black Architecture in Memphis and Other Cities
Architectural structures and the spaces they create are not neutral; instead, they mirror the values and power dynamics of the societies in which they are constructed. This observation is particularly noticeable in the buildings African Americans inhabited throughout American history. Nevertheless, Black architecture has yet to be recognized as a culturally significant field within academia. To tackle this issue, this paper seeks to expand the architectural discourse by exploring what constitutes Black architecture. Specifically, we will investigate the histories of five houses that hold a particular place in African American historical architecture: • The barrack, • The slave cabin, • The shotgun house, • The housing projects, • The Black suburban homes. Our investigation will delve into the repercussions of each style, the societal goals in establishing each class, and the policies passed that instigated their creations. We will emphasize the connections between these styles and how each type has changed over time. This exploration will allow us to scrutinize Memphis’ architectural choices, placing them in the broader context of architectural trends at the national and regional levels. Exploring Black architecture’s evolution will also help us comprehend how architecture can contribute to racial inequality in our society. We aim to challenge the notion that architecture is only a symbol of beauty, shape, and form and instead recognize its potential to perpetuate subjugation, oppression, and control.
This paper proposes to explore how, through apocalyptic destruction, a characteristically American landscape in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road has undergone the process of removal of identity, and has, therefore, reverted into the hostile wilderness that marked Early American experience in its attribution of meaning to space. Considering Leo Marx’s “The idea of nature in America,” the journey delineated by both protagonists can be located as the heir to a Puritan tradition and/of American Nature. Yet, in the diegetic postapocalyptic landscape, human senses grow dim and biblical Words grow unspoken, as the potential for civilization turns into silence and a return to dust — and, most importantly, ash. If a characteristically American identity has been obliterated, how can meaning, if any, be found in the same material space it once held? Where can references to the past reside? Ultimately, if a dystopian destruction of both identity and the material plane has subverted American utopian anxiety, in what ways has the possibility of considering American mobility through space in search for meaning turned void? McCarthy’s novel appears to provide no answer. However, as Toni Morrison stated — in “Unspeakable Things Unspoken,” — “a void may be empty, but is not a vacuum.”
Copyright (c) 2023 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
#NeverAgainMSD and the March for Our Lives Movement
The United States gives citizens the right to own guns and has developed a specific culture of gun presence in everyday life. However, this privilege raises many controversies, and gun-related deaths are one of the most common causes of death in the U.S. Media often report on tragic shootings in the country. Nonetheless, there is still no clear regulation of legal issues in the field of gun control. This text is devoted to the issue of the March for Our Lives (MFOL) social movement created by a group of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The movement was established in response to a shooting that occurred at the school on February 14, 2018. The massacre caused shock almost all over the United States and gave rise to a series of great demonstrations in favor of gun control, which turned into the March For Our Lives social movement. Why did this movement appear after the events at the Parkland school, and what was its formation like? Did the term “potential tipping point” in the context of gun control and MFOL come true? What is the balance between the organizers’ assumptions and the actual results? This text analyzes the events of 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and attempts to answer the question about the essence of the March for Our Lives movement.
The 2022 infant formula crisis has brought a new meaning to food insecurity, generally understood as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” (USDA Economic Research Service, Definitions of Food Security). The problem has been affecting a specific social category: people caring for infants. As expected, it exacerbated food insecurity and food worries among low income and minority families, but also impacted families commonly perceived as the middle class. There are no easy solutions to the problem which combines post-pandemic supply disruptions with a decadeslong market concentration in the domestic formula sector, with four companies controlling around 90% of the market supply and virtually none coming from other countries due to steep import tariffs on the most formula (Horsley). Throughout the spring and summer of 2022, the formula crisis served as a proxy for the interplay of economic, political, and social conflicts extant in the United States. Besides direct conflicts, like those between formula manufacturers, families in need of formula, and breastfeeding advocates, there are also post-2020 presidential election conflicts between those who accepted the results and those who rejected them. These conflicts will be examined here, as well as the responsibilities of government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that important food staples such as baby formula meet stringent safety criteria, which — given the current shape of the U.S. food system — could lead to depletion of these very supplies when problems arise. While the blame game continues and becomes political, with fingers being pointed at manufacturers, government agencies, the Biden administration and even the babies of migrants detained at the U.S. borders, no longterm policies preventing such a crisis in the future have been established. The measures implemented by the Biden administration to alleviate the problem, including 26 events of Operation Fly Formula to transport infant milk to the U.S. from various parts of the world, reduced the crisis only to a certain extent. Much bolder steps against market concentration in the milk formula sector and towards a smarter imports policy and better hygiene standards in production facilities must be taken to increase the food security of infants and young children in the United States.