Professor Clarence Walker reviews the life of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, drawing on Douglass's first autobiography.

Dr. Steven Mintz narrates a general overview of U.S. history, beginning with colonialism and the American Revolution. The presentation focuses on the themes of freedom and equality and the struggle by minorities for both.

To watch this video, scroll to "Flash Movies." From there, select "An Overview of American History."

Professor James M. McPherson analyzes the many different causes of the Civil War, including slavery, leadership decisions, and cultural differences. He focuses on the question "Why did secession lead to war?" as a framework for discussion. This lecture continues from the lecture "The Causes of the Civil War, Part One."

Professor James M. McPherson analyzes the many different causes of the Civil War, including slavery, leadership decisions, and cultural differences. He focuses on the question "Why did the South secede?" as a framework for discussion.

Professor Allen C. Guelzo traces Abraham Lincoln's views and political decisions regarding slavery, leading finally up to the Emancipation Proclamation. He questions and explores the text and Lincoln's possible intentions in writing it, looking at the context within which it was written. Guelzo also focuses on changing perceptions of the Proclamation, from admiration to criticism, and looks at why this change occurred. This lecture continues from the lecture "The Emancipation Moment: Abraham Lincoln and the First of January, 1863, Part One."

Professor Richard S. Ruderman explores slavery as a political issue prior to the Civil War, focusing on how it divided both politicians and the public and helped lead to the war. He uses the viewpoint of James Buchanan as a frame, while also looking at the lives, views, and writings of abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. This lecture continues from the lecture "Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, Part One."

Professor Richard S. Ruderman explores slavery as a political issue prior to the Civil War, focusing on how it divided both politicians and the public and helped lead to the war. He uses the viewpoint of James Buchanan as a frame, while also looking at the lives, views, and writings of abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

Professor Ken Masugi explores the nature of civil rights in the American founding and its evolution during and after the Civil War. He moves on to later developments, including the Civil Rights Movement and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This lecture continues from the lecture "Civil Rights in America, Part One."

Professor Ken Masugi explores the nature of civil rights in the American founding and its evolution during and after the Civil War. He examines various textual sources to see what arguments were made for and against slavery and equal race relations, both prior to the founding of the U.S. and following it.

Professors Lucas E. Morel and Diana Schaub look at the history of demands for reparation for slavery and of instances and accusations of racial profiling in the U.S. They begin with a short discussion of affirmative action cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, continuing from the lecture "Affirmative Action."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Friday, August sixth, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio image or link.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.