time period 3a 1754 to 1783 Lecture Headings
The Great War for Empire - “The Seven Years War/French and Indian War” The end of Anglo-French imperial competition on the North American continent laid the groundwork for the Revolutionary War.
The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of North America Great Britain’s massive debt from the Seven Years’ War resulted in renewed efforts to consolidate imperial control over their increasing resistant North American colonies.
The Rejection of Empire 1763 to 1770 British imperial policies intensify colonial resistance to British rule and their commitment to republican values.
The Logic of Resistance, 1770 to 1776 Colonial reactions to perceived threats from the British help unite the colonies and provide a training ground for young colonial politicians - a formative step toward organized rebellion.
"We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident" [1776] The Second Continental Congress defiantly declared a radical and powerful expression of human and political rights to a “candid world.”
Tyranny, Like Hell, Is Not Easily Conquered A group of summer soldiers and sunshine patriots overthrew a tyrannical monarchy despite the crown's overwhelming military and financial advantages
Tyranny, Like Hell, Is Not Easily Conquered – Or Is It? A group of summer soldiers and sunshine patriots overthrew a tyrannical monarchy despite the crown's overwhelming military and monetary advantages.
The World Turned Upside Down, 1783 The American revolution fundamentally changed the political, social and economic fabric of American society.
time period 3b 1783 to 1800 Lecture Headings
Aftermath of the Revolution - The Critical Period [1783 -1789] The weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and an uprising of farmers in western Massachusetts lead to a call for a stronger central government.
America's First Constitution – “A Rope of Sand” [1781-1789] The Articles of Confederation, reflecting republican fears of both centralized power and excessive popular influence, leads to conflicts among the states that threaten the existence of the young nation.
The Horrid Specter of Anarchy – Shays’s Rebellion 1787 Social tensions reached a fever pitch when debt-ridden farmers hoped to free themselves from the demands of a merchant-dominated government and seize arms
Plain, Honest Men - Philadelphia 1787 In an atmosphere of crisis, fifty five delegates met in Philadelphia
and forged a radically new of government through conflict, compromise, and fragile consensus.
A Brilliant Solution - Compromises at the Constitutional Convention [1787] A series of compromises form a Constitution for a new national government, while providing limits on federal power.
Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution [1787-1788] The ratification debate, waged in the newspapers, through pamphlets, and on the floor of the state conventions, led to heated arguments about our new government's structure and function
Launching the New Ship of State – The Washington Presidency [1789] A series of key polices and precedents under George Washington provided a legacy of leadership for the young nation.
Laying the Cornerstone of Foreign Policy [1793-1796] Tensions with Britain and France fueled increasingly bitter partisan debates and warnings about the dangers of political parties and permanent foreign alliances.
One and Done - The Presidency of John Adams [1796-1800] A divided Federalist Party chooses preserving national stability over protecting individual liberty - effectively ending their dominance as a national political force.
A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 A bitterly contested election utilizes a constitutional remedy to usher in a peaceful transfer of power.