Week 9: Early U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policy (1786-1828)

This week we explore the early battles over the identity of the United States. During this period local and national elites--as well as individual families and households--negotiated the course of political-economic and cultural development.  We will also spend much of the week connecting constitutional debates with these early battles.

Readings:

Clark, chaps. 2-4
Slavery's Constitution

Points of Entry:

Monroe Doctrine

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/monroe.asp

Early U.S. material culture:

http://content.wisconsinhistory.org

Early U.S. Maps:

http://legacy.www.nypl.org/research/midatlantic/intro3united.html

Louisiana Purchase:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/jeff/lewisclark2/circa1804/heritage/louisianapurchase/louisianapurchase.htm

Thoughts/Questions for blog discussion:

List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading.  

What are some of the arguments?

How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?

Week 8: Defining the Nation

Week 8: Defining the Nation

This week explores the American Revolution and "birth" of the U.S. in the context of the "age of revolutions." Our readings will cover the "founding fathers" and early national debates over the size and structure of the government.

Readings:

Clark, preface and chap. 1.

Points of Entry:

The Federalist Papers -

http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/

Anti-Federalist Papers -

http://www.constitution.org/afp/afp.htm

Haitian Revolution -

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p2990.html

Thoughts/Questions for blog discussion:

List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading.  

What are some of the arguments?

How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?

Week 7: The American Wars and the Formation of the U.S. (1750-1783)

Week 7: The American Wars and the Formation of the U.S. (1750-1783)

This week explores the foundational conflicts that would ultimately lead to the formation of the United States of America.  We will also curate exhibits exploring these and other colonial themes.

Readings:

Declaration of Independence and other Founding Documents 92 pp.

Taylor (chaps. 14-15; 18) 82 pp.

Points of Entry:

Seven Year's War

http://www.militaryheritage.com/7yrswar.htm

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/frin.htm

Benjamin Franklin:

http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/

http://www.english.udel.edu/lemay/franklin/

Founding Documents:

http://www.ushistory.org/DECLARATION/

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/articles.html

Pontiac's War:

http://www.forttours.com/pages/pontiac.asp

Thoughts/Questions for blog discussion:

List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading.  
What are some of the arguments?

How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?