This course offers an introduction to the history of the United States by examining three revolutions in its formation and development. The course begins by examining the American Revolution, including the writing and ratification of the Constitution of the United States. Between 1765 and 1787 the American colonies first re-thought their attachment to the British Empire, then successfully fought for their independence from Britain, and finally created a new form of government that put the United States on a new path of independence and republicanism. The second revolution saw the emergence of a democratic culture in the 1830s and 1840s. This included a new conception of the people's role in politics, government, literature, culture and community. The course ends by examining the third revolution, which centred on the Civil War (1861-1865), the end of slavery and the beginnings of what Abraham Lincoln called "a new birth of freedom" - one that would eventually enable the inclusion of African-Americans into the broader destiny and community of the United States.

The course will explore these revolutions with the help of three perspectives: history, political science and literature. These perspectives will be built into the lecture and tutorial programs, thus equipping students to undertake either a History or an American Studies major.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the United States between 1765 and 1876;
• Have an appreciation of the different perspectives on that history provided by the methods and materials used by historians, political scientists and literature specialists;
• Continue to develop strong research, writing and analytical skills
• Be able to critically reflect upon the insights provided by a multi-disciplinary approach to the subject matter of the course;
• Understand and demonstrate the significance of the three American Revolutions of the period for the development of the modern United States.

1,500 word document exercise (20%), 2,500 word essay (30%), tutorial participation (10%) and final examination (40%).

The course is offered on campus via lectures (which will be streamed) and tutorials.

Two one-hour lectures and one hour-long tutorial per week. Lectures will be taped/streamed.

Students will be expected to spend an average of seven hours per week outside these contact hours to prepare for tutorials, research and write the written work, and to prepare for the final examination.

HIST 1020, Foundations of the United States to 1900

A reading brick will be made available at the beginning of semester.

David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas A. Bailey, The American Pageant Vol.1, to 1877. Thirteenth Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.