Week 1: Monday, May 19, 2008

Text: Chapter 1 - 3: Introductions, discussion on the course, syllabus and other logistical issues. Topics for discussion: The Americas and Europe on the Eve of Colonization and Columbus’s journey. The Columbian Exchange, diseases and European “ceremonies of possession.” How European events affected America, the Roanoke expedition, the Jamestown colony, and the foundations and formation of African slavery. Also the Puritans and Pilgrims -- who were these people and what were their differences? What were the differences between the British colonies and why were these differences important? Read, The Great Disease Migration.

Week 1: Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Text: Chapters 4 Colonies Become Established, an American Identity Begins, and the Foundations of Nationhood are established. Topics for discussion: How did a people who claimed to be British eventually rebel against Britain? What factors helped push the American colonies toward independence? The Great Awakening and the Enlightenment; what did they contribute to American thought and independence? First web assignment is due next week.

Week 2: Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day. NO CLASS

Week 2: Wednesday, May 30, 2008

Text: Chapters 5 The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: The American Revolution. Topics for discussion: How and why the initial stimulus for rebellion came from the gentry. When did the rebellion become a revolution? What’s the difference? Half the class will be asked to argue the position of the British and half the class will be asked to argue the position of the Americans. For next class, type your paper topic on an 8x11 piece of paper (double spaced). State what you would like to explore and the sources you plan on using. First web assignment is due.

Week 3: Monday, June 2, 2008

Text: Chapters 5 (continued) & 6: The Great Experiment Begins. Read the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Topics for discussion: The Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and their similarities and differences. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists: what were their differing philosophies? States-rights vs. a strong federal government. What the new Constitution meant to women and slaves. Why “the masses” were feared so much and what protections the new Constitution had against them. How the seeds of civil war sown. Paper topics due and the First Test will be distributed. The test is on chapters 1-6 and is due Monday, June 9.

Week 3: Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Text: Chapters 7 & 8: The Violence of Party Politics, 1788-1800: Can’t We All Just Get Along? Topics for discussion: The formation of political parties. Who were the “Republicans?” Jefferson vs. Hamilton. Your impressions of Alexander Hamilton. Republicanism, Jefferson and the War of 1812. Topics for discussion: How did Jefferson as president differ from his two predecessors? Did Jefferson embrace the feared “masses” or push them away? Did the Louisiana Purchase signify a compromise or an affirmation of Jefferson’s principles? The causes of the War of 1812 and why it was important. Review the War of 1812.

Week 4: Monday, June 9, 2008

Text: Chapters 9 Nation Building, Nationalism and the Market Revolution: Off to a Good Start? Topics for discussion: The Market Revolution and its many factors. What made it revolutionary? America expands West. Second web assignment is due next week. First test is due today.

Week 4: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Text: Chapters 10 & 11: “The Age of Jackson” Topics for discussion: “Jacksonian Democracy,” its foundations, principles and legacy. Was Jacksonian Democracy different from or similar to Jeffersonian Republicanism? Slavery and Antebellum America Slavery and Antebellum America. Topics for discussion: The various forms of slavery. How did slavery differ throughout the United States? The stratification of Southern society. How/why the South justified slavery and how/why the North wanted it abolished. King Cotton!

Week 5: Monday, June 16, 2008

Text: Chapters 12 & 13: The Rise of the Middle Class, the American Family and the Second Great Awakening. Topics for discussion: The difference between the first Great Awakening and the Second Great Awakening. The United States and social reforms. The country is pushed closer to civil war. Go West Young Man, Part 2: America Expands. The beginnings of industrialization and mass migration West. The Mexican-American War and Manifest Destiny. Second Web Assignment due.

Week 5: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Text: Chapter 14: Things Get Heated Up: The Sectional Crisis and the Winds of War. Topics for discussion: The seeds of civil war sprout and begin to bear fruit. The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the many attempts to postpone war. The further sectionalism of political parties. FOR NEXT CLASS, Visit the online archive: Valley of the Shadow. Be prepared to discuss the questions on the third web assignment. Note that you are not being graded on this assignment, but it does count toward class participation.

Week 6: Monday, June 23, 2008

Text: Chapter 15: Secession and the Civil War Topics for discussion: The beginnings of Civil War and the prosecution of War. The Emancipation Proclamation. Web exercise: Will discuss the Valley in the Shadow web site and materials as assigned.

Week 6: Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Text Chapter 15 Continued. Discussion about the test. Papers are due

Week 7: Monday, June 30, 2008 Final Exam Chapters 7-15.