The American Revolution 1765-1815 History 2820

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851.jpg. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware_by_Emanuel_Leutze,_MMA-NYC,_1851.jpg 15 May, 2013.

Was the American Revolution truly revolutionary? The American Revolution marked the birth of a new nation, founded in the fires of a bloody revolution, justified in the philosophies of the Enlightenment, and nominally based on modern revolutionary principles such as personal liberty, equality, modern democracy and the rejection of aristocracy. However, the majority of the population did not see dramatic change when it ended, such as women who still did not receive true social or political equality, lower classes who largely did not receive realistic new paths to empowerment or African-Americans, the majority of whom still were subjugated by the ever-expanding institution of slavery in the land of liberty. Crucial dilemmas such as this, and cutting through the haze occupying the area between glamorizing patriotism and zealous cynicism, will be central themes of this class. The truth, as it will be revealed, will be more fascinating, enlightening and vital to our modern understanding of America, than the myths, legends and politicized depictions. This course will trace the revolutionary birth of the United States from the cultural and political origins of colonial discontent with the mother British empire, to the visible outbreaks of this growing divide such as the Stamp Act Crisis, Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party, to the War of Independence 1775-83, the creation of a Constitution intended to secure revolutionary liberties, to the struggle for sovereignty, autonomy and survival of the Early Republic, culminating with the War of 1812. HISTORY 2820 The American Revolution 1765-1815 3 credit hours An examination of the factors, events, immediate aftermath and legacy of the American Revolution. Themes will include political, economic, cultural and philosophical roots of the Revolution, key events and stages of the Revolutionary War and related subsequent developments such as the Articles of Confederation, formation and ratification of the Constitution and the early national period, up to and including the War of 1812. Prerequisite: Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (3 lecture hours) Recommended for students who are interested in the study of history, culture, and further study of any academic discipline that examines the politics, culture, military, government or history of the United States in general.