The Rise and Fall of the American Republic

This Olio Seminar examines United States history from its founding to the current day. We will be looking at many facets of American history from culture to politics and economics, and of course its role as a global power. The historical approach presented is not focused on the actions of individuals, per se, but rather the larger ideological, economic, and social developments leading to the formation of the current US political system and culture in addition to examining specific people and events.

Part I - Defeating an Empire: Birth of a Republic

This part of the series covers from the beginning of the American Revolution to the end of the American Civil War. We will discuss the revolution and its impact as well as the expansion west, the creation of an American national ideology and character, and the conflict that arose in defining those ideas. This section ends by examining the causes and some of the ramifications of the Civil War.         

Part II - Becoming a Superpower: Expansion and Influence

The second section of the series examines from the end of the Civil War to the end of World War II, the period when America became the dominant economic industrial power and then the world’s greatest military and political entity. This involves an examination both of political and economic matters, the two world wars and the beginning of the Cold War.

Part III - The American Moment: Victory, Dominance, and Decline

The last section of the series examines United States culture, politics and economics from the end of World War II to the present moment. The United States came out of WWII as a burgeoning hyper-power but the structures that helped the United States become dominant, ultimately fell in, initiating the political and economic crisis of the past 40 years.  This part will include looking at the nature and consequences of America’s involvement in other countries’ political outcomes.