Revolutionary and Not So Revolutionary Beginnings - Class 2

Explore the revolutionary and early national periods of American history in this 41-minute lecture from Yale University's "America at 250" series. Examine the contested nature of American national identity from 1776 through the 1830s, focusing on the birth of party politics, the development of "Jacksonian democracy," and the emergence of reform and protest movements. Delve into how the American Revolution served as the first of many radical acts of national reimagining throughout U.S. history. Learn from Professor Joanne Freeman, an expert in revolutionary and early national American history, as she analyzes the political, social, and cultural foundations that shaped the early American republic. Discover how citizens across time have engaged in ongoing conversations about what the United States is, was, and was meant to be, moving beyond traditional narratives of presidents, elections, and wars to understand the broader political history of the nation. Access the complete course syllabus and required readings to deepen your understanding of this pivotal period in American history.