L1 Louis Bachaud
2024-2025
U.S. History, 17th- 19th Centuries
DESCRIPTION: This class focuses on the history of the United States (17th-19th). It will deal
with the following topics, in relation to Dr. Martin-Breteau’s lecture (CM):
• The British colonization of North America (17th-18th c.)
• North America in the British Empire (17th-18th c.)
• The Crisis of the British Empire (18th c.)
• The American Revolution and the Birth of the U.S. (1775-1791)
• Nationalism and Expansionism of an Imperial Republic (late 18th c.-1860)
• Slavery and Disunion (late 18th c.-1860)
• The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)
• The Rise of an Industrial Empire (1865-late 19th c.)
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Build a body of content knowledge in the history of the United States
2. Understand historical events from competing perspectives and identify the points of
view of various historical actors/actresses
3. Analyze primary sources from different perspectives
4. Improve linguistic skills and acquire specific vocabulary.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS – GRADING - Quizzes – 60%
1) Routine Quizzes /8pts
Each session will start with a quiz on the previous lecture and seminar content. Four of
them will be graded in the semester – see schedule ( /2 pts).
2) Quiz on Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) /4pts
A quiz, as well as a few open-ended questions, on the readings in Paine’s book.
Speaking - 40%
1) Public Speaking /4 pts
Each class, there will be two questions on this week’s documents on Moodle. You must
read the documents and be prepared to discuss those questions in class.
Once in the semester, you will be giving a short speech in front of the class (2-4mn).
Either a presentation of the week’s documents, or your answer to one of the week’s
questions. The grading focuses on grammar, clarity and quality of expression, and content.
2) Engagement with the class /4 pts
This grade will take into account your participation in class: have you read the documents at
home? Have you prepared answers to the questions? Do you ask questions during (or after)
the class? Do you participate in class discussions? Etc.
FIRST SEMESTER SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 26: The British colonization of North America (17th-18th c.)
DOC 6A: Richard Frethorne, p. 14-15
DOC 3A: John Winthrop, p. 9
OCTOBER 3: North America in the British Empire (17th-18th c.)
GRADED QUIZ
DOC 3B: The trial of Anne Hutchinson, p. 10-11
DOC 4A + 4B: Virginia’s Acts, p. 12
OCTOBER 10: The Crisis of the British Empire (18th c.)
DOC 9B: Sons of Liberty, p. 20-22
OCTOBER 17: The American Revolution and the Birth of the U.S. (1775-1791)
GRADED QUIZ
DOC 10: Declaration of Independence, p. 23-25
OCTOBER 24: The American Revolution and the Birth of the U.S. (1775-1791)
DOC 11: Remember the Ladies p. 26-27
DOC 12A: Constitution, p. 27-30
DOC 12 B: Bill of Rights, p. 30-32
OCTOBER 31: HALLOWEEN BREAK
NOVEMBER 7: Nationalism and Expansionism of an Imperial Republic (late 18th c.-1860)
QUIZ ON THOMAS PAINE’S Common Sense (1776)
DOC 16B: American Progress, p. 42
DOC 16A: Manifest Destiny, p. 40-42
NOVEMBER 14: Nationalism and Expansionism of an Imperial Republic (late 18th c.-1860)
DOC 15B: Letter of Cherokee Leaders, p. 38-39
DOC 15A: Jackson Indian Removal, p. 36-37
NOVEMBER 21: Slavery and Disunion (late 18th c.-1860)
GRADED QUIZ
DOC 8A: Olaudah Equiano, p. 18-19
DOC 19B: Supplicants, p. 50
NOVEMBER 28: Slavery and Disunion (late 18th c.-1860)
DOC 20D: Dred Scott, p. 55-56
DOC 21B: Mississippi declaration of Secession, p. 57-58
DECEMBER 5: The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)
GRADED QUIZ
DOC 22A: Emancipation Proclamation, p. 61-62
DOC 22B: Civil War amendments, p. 62-63
DECEMBER 12: The Rise of an Industrial Empire (1865-late 19th c.) / conclusion
DOC 24A: “Well, I hardly know which to take first!”, p. 66
