The Civil War and Reconstruction 1865–1890: The Unfinished Revolution
Examine the pivotal but misunderstood era of Reconstruction that followed the Civil War, the first effort in American history to construct an interracial democracy.
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Course Description
Examine the evolving interpretations of Reconstruction and its significance as the first attempt to construct an interracial democracy in American history.
Delve into relevant issues that remain significant today, including citizenship, political and economic freedom, and the protection of Americans' rights.
Analyze the rewriting of laws and the Constitution to establish the principle of equality regardless of race, and evaluate the successes and failures of Reconstruction governments in the South.
Investigate the violent opposition in the South, Northern retreat from Reconstruction, and the consolidation of a new system of white supremacy at the end of the nineteenth century.
This is the third of three courses in the The Civil War and Reconstruction series:
- The Civil War and Reconstruction 1850–1861: A House Divided
- The Civil War and Reconstruction 1861–1865: A New Birth of Freedom
- The Civil War and Reconstruction 1865–1890: The Unfinished Revolution
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Gain an in-depth understanding of the transformative period of Reconstruction in American history.
Analyze the changing interpretations of historians over the past generations, critically examining the complexities and nuances of the Reconstruction era.
Explore issues of continued relevance, including citizenship, political and economic freedom, and the protection of Americans' rights.
Evaluate the rewriting of laws and the Constitution to promote equality, assess the successes and failures of Reconstruction governments, understand the reasons behind opposition in the South and Northern retreat, and analyze the consolidation of white supremacy in the late nineteenth century.
Course Outline
Module 1: Reconstruction and the politics of history
Module 2: Meanings of freedom?
Module 3: Andrew Johnson and reconstruction
Module 4: The making of radical reconstruction
Module 5: The Republican coalition
Module 6: Southern Republicans in power
Module 7: The end of reconstruction
Module 8: The reconstruction of the North
Module 9: New South and new nation
Instructors
Eric Foner is a prominent historian and DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University. He has served as president of the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society of American Historians. Foner's focus is on the intersections of intellectual, political, social history, and American race relations. He has authored or edited over twenty books, including The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, which was awarded the Bancroft Prize, Pulitzer Prize for History, and The Lincoln Prize. Foner's most recent book, Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad, is widely available. Foner has also been recognized for his outstanding teaching, receiving the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching from Columbia University. As a co-curator of two award-winning historical exhibitions and through frequent appearances in various media, he aims to bring historical knowledge to a broad public.
Please note that there are no instructors or course assistants actively monitoring this course.