HIST 231-01, North America in the Colonial and Revolutionary Eras, Spring 2012

Abstract

This class investigates British, French, Spanish, African and Native American encounters on the North American continent from prehistory through the creation of the permanent government of the United States. Major themes include the tensions between individual and community interests, the origins and development of slavery, the emergence of capitalism and popular sovereignty, the similarities and differences of the many cultures that composed colonial America. The class will combine lecture with class discussions of primary materials, essays, films, and other texts. This class is open to all students except those who have taken His 105: American Revolution. This is the first of 3 U.S. history survey classes.