In this iCue Mini-Documentary describes Alexander Hamilton's desire, as Secretary of the Treasury, to establish America as a world power capable of paying off its debt.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the U.S. division about which side to support when Britain and France were at war after the French Revolution.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the British enlistment of many American militiamen into its army during the French and Indian War. The differences between the two groups are pronounced, creating tensions that ultimately bring about further confrontation.
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Thomas Jefferson is best known as the author of the American Declaration of Independence. Beginning with the imperial crisis that led to the separation and union of 13 British colonies in North America, this course will focus on Jefferson's political thought and career in order to gain a broad perspective on the founding of the United States and its early history. Professors Peter Onuf and Frank Cogliano will emphasize the geopolitical context of the revolutionaries' bold efforts to establish republican governments and federal union. Jefferson and his patriot colleagues were acutely aware of the world historical significance of their revolution and therefore profoundly anxious about its ultimate outcome and legacy. By exploring the rich canon of his writings participants will seek to understand better what the Revolution meant for Jefferson and Jefferson meant for the Revolution. Major themes will include federalism, foreign policy, constitutionalism and party politics, and race and slavery.
This iCue Mini-Documentary introduces the first real test of the new government since George Washington was appointed to the presidency: the presidential election of 1800. Many expected chaos to ensue as one president was expected to peacefully hand power to a new president.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary introduces Congress's unanimous election of George Washington to become the first president of the United States. Originally, the role of the president was designed to carry out the decisions of Congress.
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Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses the inaugurations of Presidents George Washington and John Adams, and the significance of those speeches.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary introduces Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's creation of a Bank of the United States, modeled after the Bank of England, where all federal deposits were held.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary describes James Madison's promise to the states that if the U.S. Constitution was ratified, a Bill of Rights would be immediately added.
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This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the checks and balances of the Constitution that allow the three branches of government to keep each other in check. This system assures that no one branch becomes too powerful.
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