The American Revolution

Description

This seminar will proceed from two premises: 1) that the Revolution had many meanings to its diverse participants; and 2) that it has been interpreted—its causes, dynamics, and outcomes—ever since. Therefore, participants will read secondary works of various historians who have disagreed sharply on how to interpret the American Revolution; and will examine a variety of primary documents through which modern Americans can better understand how people at the time understood what they were fighting for and what outcomes they hoped to enjoy.

Contact email
seminars@gilderlehrman.org
Registration Deadline
Sponsoring Organization
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Phone number
646-366-9666
Target Audience
High school
Start Date
Cost
Free; $400 stipend granted
Course Credit
Pittsburg State University (PSU) is pleased to offer graduate credit to workshop participants at a tuition fee of $199 per credit hour. Participants can receive three graduate credit hours for the duration of the week.
Duration
Seven days
End Date
Website
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/seminars1.html

The Era of George Washington

Description

Professor Gordon Wood investigates George Washington's contributions to the creation of the American republic. The bicentennial of his death in 1999 sparked a reassessment of this extraordinary man and his times. He was commander in chief of the revolutionary army, a leader in the formation of the Constitution of 1787, and the first president of the new United States. Despite these great accomplishments, he remains strangely distant and inaccessible to us in the early 21st century. This brief but intensive course helps explain the sources and meaning of Washington's greatness.

Contact email
seminars@gilderlehrman.org
Registration Deadline
Sponsoring Organization
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Phone number
646-366-9666
Target Audience
Middle and high school
Start Date
Cost
Free; $400 stipend granted
Course Credit
Pittsburg State University (PSU) is pleased to offer graduate credit to workshop participants at a tuition fee of $199 per credit hour. Participants can receive three graduate credit hours for the duration of the week.
Duration
Six days
End Date
Website
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/seminar_descriptions/seminar_wood.html

The Great Compromise

Description

This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the great debate that ensued during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia about how states should be represented equally in Congress, since some states had greater populations than others.

This feature is no longer available.

The Ratifying Conventions

Description

This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the ratification process for the new Constitution. Once it was written, it needed to be ratified by each of the states. Ratifying conventions were held for delegates to vote on whether or not to adopt the new constitution.

This feature is no longer available.

The Stamp Act

Description

This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the Stamp Act, a British tax on all printed material, from marriage licenses to playing cards. It infuriated colonists.

This feature is no longer available.

How Should Americans Live?

Description

Professor David Tucker discusses the ideal "American character" and government, as suggested by several of the Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Subscribe to Revolution & New Nation, 1754-1820s