History 160: US History I
Daniel Borus
daniel.borus@rochester.edu
5.9356
James Rankine
452 Rush Rhees
M, W 11:30 – 12:30
jrankin2@ur.rochester.edu
This course explores the history of life on the North American continent from European
settlement to Appomattox. It investigates how settlement was secured, the conflicts and tensions
that it generated, the principles and forces behind the drive for a new government and the
development of the new nation. One theme we will pursue is the nation’s simultaneous
tendencies to create and destroy. Along the way we will investigate economic development,
labor and social relations, the effects of slavery, the effort to dominate the continent, and the
Civil War.
Reading: The following books are assigned and available at Barnes
Carol Berkin, Revolutionary Mothers.
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty
Paul Johnson, Shopkeepers’ Millennium.
George McGovern, Abraham Lincoln.
Edward Morgan, Puritan Dilemma
Grading
Students will participate in class discussion, complete two tests (15% each) and a final (30%).
In addition, they will write eight short papers, worth five percent each, in response to questions
that instructors will hand out a week before they are due. The papers will be no more than two
pages in length. Papers can be submitted electronically.
Students will also submit by email a discussion question for each of the books assigned.
Questions are required, but not graded, and are due by midnight the night before the book will be
discussed in class.
Class Schedule and Assignments
(In addition, there will be an occasional primary source document of two
pages or so students will be asked to prepare for class discussion)
August 31
Europe Before Expansion
September 2
Africa and the Americas Before the Age of Settlement
September 4
European Settlement -- Spain & France
Reading:
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 1 & 2
September 9 European Settlement -- English
September 11 English Economy and Government
Reading:
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 3 & 4
September 14 Colonial Slavery
QUESTION #1 DUE
September 16 Religion
September 18 Discussion -- Puritan Dilemma
Reading:
Morgan, Puritan Dilemma
September 21 Life in the Eighteenth Century
QUESTION #2
September 23 French and Indian War
September 25 Colonial Crisis I
Reading:
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 5
September 28 Colonial Crisis II
QUESTION #3 DUE
September 30 Colonial Crisis III
October 2
Reading:
Discussion: Women in the Revolution
Berkin, Revolutionary Mothers
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 6
October 7
Declaring Independence
October 9
TEST I
October 12
Federalists
October 14
France & England
October 16
Reading:
Republicans
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 7 & 8
October 19
War of 1812
QUESTION #4 DUE
October 21
Good Feelings
October 23
Slavery
Reading:
October 26
Give Me Liberty, Chapter 9
Missouri
Question #5 Due
October 28
Democracy
October 30
Whigs
Reading:
November 2
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 10 & 12
Revival
QUESTION #6 DUE
November 4
Reform
November 6
Discussion – Johnson
Reading:
November 9
Johnson, Shopkeepers’ Millennium
TEST #2
November 11 Texas
November 13 Mexican War
Reading:
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 11 & 13
November 16 Abolitionism
November 18 Feminism
November 20 Discussion
Reading:
Douglass, Narrative
November 23 A Changing Population
QUESTION #7 DUE
November 30 Crisis of the 1850s I
December 2
Crisis of the 1850s II
December 4
Secession
Reading:
December 7
Give Me Liberty, Chapters 14
War
QUESTION #8 DUE
December 9 Emancipation
December 11 Discussion – Lincoln
Reading:
McGovern, Lincoln