This course offers a sweeping survey of United States history following the Civil War, a period of time critical to the emergence of the nation as a domestic and international power. Together, we will explore the cultural, political, economic, and social pressures that spurred historical change from the period of Reconstruction that began in 1865 to the election of Barack Obama in 2008. Recognizing that events that unfolded beyond American borders at times had a profound effect on life in the United States—and, indeed, that American culture, business, and foreign policy influenced world affairs—we will place our story in a global context while retaining a tight focus on the United States.

 

Throughout the course, we will examine a variety of primary documents and multimedia resources, including historical newspaper articles, letters, speeches, films, songs, artifacts, and firsthand accounts, to immerse ourselves in the debates and developments that shaped the modern nation. The assigned readings will supplement, rather than duplicate, the in-class lectures. Students must complete all of the assigned readings, attend lecture, and participate actively in our discussions of the material.