Michael Johnson of John Hopkins University discusses Lincoln's response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, including his personal animosity towards Stephen Douglas as a possible motivating factor.
To view this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Smithsonian curators Candace Green and Emil Her Many Horses outline the nature of Lakota winter counts, pictorial documents which identified each year by an important event, and discuss what may be learned from these today.
Professor William Wagner considers the actual significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to and in U.S. history. He seeks to remove the voyage from obscuring popular myths and into the realm of historical fact, while also looking at how popular understanding of the Expedition has changed over time.
Professor Alex Saragoza discusses the Mexican-American War following the annexation of Texas, focusing on historical interpretations and coverage of the war. He looks at issues that are both covered to excess and rarely covered.
Professor Shirley Moore details the stories of several African-American women in the West in the 1800s and early 1900s, including abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant (?-1904) and nurse and businesswoman Bridget "Biddy" Mason (1818-1891). Moore looks at the history of African Americans in the West more generally, as well.
Michael Ray narrates a basic introduction to the Battle of the Alamo and popular memory of the battle. The presentation looks briefly at how films and fiction have reimagined the story of the Alamo and distorted historical facts.
Professors Sidney Milkis and Marc Landy look at Thomas Jefferson's presidency, focusing specifically on the Louisiana Purchase and his reasons for making the purchase.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, July 12th, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
Professor Lucas E. Morel examines the interrelationship of political decisions and pressures, westward expansion, and the issue of slavery in the antebellum U.S. and how these forces combined to lead to the Civil War.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Mackubin T. Owens traces the flow of antebellum history, up to the Civil War, examining the many changes and pushes for more change that characterized this period.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Sunday, June 20th, 7:15 pm-9:00 pm session; and select either 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.
Professor Ken Masugi examines the 1856 U.S. Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, in which the slave Dred Scott argued that, as he had lived and worked in both a free state and a free territory, he was now legally free. The case was decided against Scott, ruling that no African American could be a citizen and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories. Masugi uses the case to look at the Court and Constitution's use and role in the Civil War.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio link to the left.