This course is designed to be an investigation of the various "revolutions" from which the United States evolved. The course has been divided into three components. The first will detail the American colonies path to independence. The second will describe the travails experienced during the creation of an American national government. The final component will examine the trials and tribulations involved in sustaining the new American nation. By the end of the semester each student should have a solid understanding of the motives and manifestations embodied in the creation of the American nation.
 

Required Text:
Robert Gross, Minutemen and Their World
Carol Berkin, A Brilliant Solution
Bernard Weisberg, America Afire
Roger Brown, Republic in Peril
Weekly readings on reserve in the library and online

Student Biographies:

Due October 12
James Otis (Heather Mauldin)
John Hancock (Molly Scanlon)
Patrick Henry (Joe Speiker)
John Adams (James Constantine)
Benedict Arnold (Bruce Jones)

Due October 28
Samuel Adams (Hal Rucker)
Paul Revere (Samatha Hansen)
Ethan Allen (Kevin Smith)
James Wilson (Jon Anzardo)
Robert Morris (Jake McFee)
John Dickinson (Lorelei Rohrbaugh)

Due November 11
Tom Paine (Veronica Gilpin)
Gouvernor Morris (Jesse Starcher)
Benjamin Rush (Dan Bowman)
Richard Henry Lee (Cara Scognamiglio)
Abigail Adams (Dan Strouse)
John Paul Jones (Brad Zoref)

Due November 25
George Mason (David Mitchell)
John Jay (Alex Felty)
Aaron Burr (Jeff Moore)
Meriwether Lewis (Jackie Dell-Shearer)
John Marshall (Jeff Ricigliano)