The American Revolution as a Usable Past

In this course we will examine how and why Americans have used the American Revolution as a “usable past” to articulate, celebrate, critique, and question the American nation and identity. We will read, view, and assess a broad range of sources, including early memoirs (Ordinary Courage [Joseph Martin, 1830]), 19th-century commentary on abolition and slavery (e.g., F. Douglass’s 4th of July Speech), the centennial (1876), sesquicentennial (1926), and bicentennial (1976) celebrations, popular films (D.W. Griffith’s America: Sacrifice for Freedom [1924], The Patriot [2000]), Citizen Tom Paine (Howard Fast’s 1943 novel), and President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech.