Political Crises of the 1970s
The 1970s was a tumultuous decade in American history, filled with war, political scandal, the resignation of a President, and multiple domestic crises. More fundamentally, it was a decade that […]
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The 1970s was a tumultuous decade in American history, filled with war, political scandal, the resignation of a President, and multiple domestic crises. More fundamentally, it was a decade that […]
This seminar explores what several incidents of mob violence can teach us about American history. Our focus will be on incidents that have occurred in the last 150 years, with particular attention paid to incidents of anti-Black violence. We will consider primary and some secondary sources in sessions on the Colfax Massacre, the New Orleans […]
Japanese internment is often considered the darkest aspect of America’s involvement in World War II. The study of what happened to the Japanese people living in the United States allows […]
The Federalists dominated American politics and government from 1789 to 1801. This critical period saw these three statesmen breathe life into the Constitution and set the new republic on the path to becoming an economic and military power. Perhaps most importantly, these statesmen created a sense of American identity that forged the citizens of thirteen […]
Jefferson identified his three greatest accomplishments as the Declaration of Independence, The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and Founding the University of Virginia. In the seminar we will discuss his main writings on these three topics. Discussion Leader: Micheal Zuckert Historic Site: National Constitution Center & Independence Hall National Historic Park Hotel: Penn’s View Hotel […]
This seminar will explore the progressive politics of some notable late nineteenth and early twentieth century American women. We will consider the distinct perspective that these women brought to the […]
The Founders famously created a "Constitution against parties" and yet political parties emerged and organized during George Washington's administration. At the center of this partisan contest was Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. This seminar will examine their arguments and their competing visions for the United States. Historic Site: George Washington’s Mount Vernon Hotel: Hilton Alexandria […]
This seminar will examine Lincoln’s speeches and letters, as well as those of select contemporaries, on emancipation, civil war, and reconstruction. We will focus on Lincoln’s consistencies and inconsistencies on race, his changing war goals, and his vision for a postwar reconstructed nation rededicated to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Historic Site: […]
In the wake of the Confederacy’s defeat, some white leaders of the South sought to modernize the region by promoting 1) sectional reconciliation, 2) a resolution to the region’s race problem, and 3) the creation of a new economic order based on industry, commerce, and a diversified agricultural system. In short, these leaders advocated for […]
This seminar explores the presidential transition initiated by the assassination of President Kennedy and how President Johnson responded in his first year in office in terms of policy and executive leadership. The seminar will cover Johnson's first week in office and the flurry of actions he took to transition the government from his predecessor to […]