Harvey Sicherman of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Walter A. McDougall of the University of Pennsylvania, Lowell Dittmer of the University of California at Berkeley, and Robert G. Sutter of Georgetown University examine U.S. policy toward East Asia during the George W. Bush administration; and consider the impact which the 2008 presidential campaign and the upcoming change in leadership might have on policy.

Video and audio options area available.

This lecture, created by the Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project, examines several years of Abraham Lincoln's life, including Lincoln's continued opposition of Stephen Douglas's political views; his rise to presidential candidacy; the fevered presidential race that followed; the secession of Southern states in reaction to his election; and his First Inaugural Address. This lecture continues from the lecture "Lincoln's Biography, Part Seven: Debating Douglas on the National Stage, 1857-1858."

To view this documentary, scroll to "Multimedia Slideshows," and select "The Campaign of the Century, 1859-1861."

This lecture, created by the Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project, follows Abraham Lincoln's early political career, from established Midwestern lawyer to elected President of the United States. It focuses on the heightening tensions between North and South that served as the background to Lincoln's rise to the Presidency, and ends with the beginning of the Civil War. This lecture continues from the lecture "Lincoln's Biography: Introduction, Part One."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia examines the use and acceptance of women in politics in the antebellum Whig and Democratic parties, focusing on Whig encouragement of the idea of women as the "moral center" of families.

To view this clip, select "Women's Roles in Whig Politics" under "Political Development Video."

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy look at the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and the presidential campaigns of William Jennings Bryan. Milkis and Landy use the beliefs and platforms of the two figures to compare the political ideologies of populists and progressives.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July 14th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy trace the rise of Abraham Lincoln to his presidential nomination and the simultaneous rise of the Republican party.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, July 13th, 10:50 am-12:20 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy trace the 1800 presidential election of Thomas Jefferson. They focus particularly on the development of the party system at the time, and the fierce party politics between the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, July 12th, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at the issue of the Southern states' secession prior to the Civil War. He considers whether Lincoln was justified in declaring war on the seceding states and what the arguments were both in favor of and against secession.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

Professor Lucas E. Morel looks at the presidential campaign and election of 1860, in which Abraham Lincoln was elected President. The lecture also includes some examination of the 1858 Senate campaign debates between Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesay, June 23rd, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.