American History Lectures and Online Courses

History of the United States: Thomas Jefferson’s Idea of Self-Reliance

November 9, 2020

There was a set of allegations and counter allegations between Republicans and Federals about being ready to push the United States into colonial subjugation. Thomas Jefferson was convinced that the survival of Republican principles depended on promoting the idea of self sufficiency. That implied opening up the Republic’s undeveloped western territories, lying between the Appalachian Mountains and America’s western boundary on the Mississippi River. […]

Cannon at Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi.

American Civil War: Maintaining Confederacy and Union Military Forces

November 9, 2020

One of the most significant reasons that helped tip the balance of the war in favor of the North was having access to better facilities. They were better armed, fed, and clothed than their Southern counterparts. But things were not as bad in the South as accounts on the Civil War have described. […]

The painting showing Pickett's Charge during the American Civil War.

The Financial Sources of the Union in the American Civil War

November 9, 2020

During the American Civil War, both Southern and Northern governments struggled with finances. Although the North had more robust financial systems in place, they had to take the same measures as the South. However, they had different levels of effectiveness. […]

The five hundred dollar bill that was printed by the Confederate states on Confederate battle flag.

How the Confederacy Funded its Army During the Civil War

November 8, 2020

Raising money was one of the most significant issues that the Confederacy had to solve. Due to their weak economic infrastructures, they had difficulty funding their war efforts. Nevertheless, the Confederacy adopted three strategies to obtain funds during the Civil war. […]

The painting shows soldiers during the American Civil War.

American Civil War: The Reactions and Consequences of the Army Draft Policies

October 30, 2020

During the Civil War, both Union and Confederacy armies had to resort to drafting and conscription to enlist men. They carried out these strategies in different ways, but received similar reactions. […]

The Civil War, Union soldiers in trenches before the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia, June 9, 1864.

American Civil War: Union Army Draft

October 30, 2020

The problem of manpower was serious for the Union Army. The government had to draw on its resources to attract more soldiers and retain them. But these solutions were not without consequences. […]

Sea battle between the Union Monitor and the Confederate Merrimack, March 9, 1862, lithograph by Kurz & Allison, 1889.

How did the Confederacy Enlist Soldiers During the Civil War?

October 30, 2020

During the American Civil War, the two warring sides, the Union and the Confederacy, both had the same problem. They had to find ways to bring soldiers to serve the army and keep them in the military until the end. The solutions that the Confederacy found were not too satisfactory. […]

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: Republican Opposition to Adams

October 16, 2020

Jefferson’s Republicans used the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions to publicly criticize Adams and the Alien and Sedition Acts. After the threat of French invasion subsided, Congress found itself inundated with petitions demanding the repeal of these Acts. At this point, Adams announced that he intended to reopen the failed negotiations with France, leading to wide opposition, and eventual win of the Republicans. […]

The Alien and Sedition Acts: The Federalists and War Paranoia

October 16, 2020

The Alien and Sedition Acts were four separate bills introduced by the Federalists. However, this caused an unexpected backlash for President Adams. […]

John Adams as part of the Committee of Five presenting the Declaration of Independence to Congress

An Unlikely Hero: John Adams Versus the French Directory

October 16, 2020

Few people in the 1790s had a more distinguished record than John Adams. Yet, Adams barely scraped into office as the second President, with lackluster Federalist support.This, however, changed after he successfully handled his first challenge as the President. […]