War&Race in Early US,1607-1890

Catalog description

This course explores the violent conquest of North America, from contact through the defeat of the Plains Indians at the end of the nineteenth century. The act of making war, whether on native peoples or between Europeans, was essential throughout American history in developing notions of racial prejudice. This course will look at the intersection of war and race, and how violence shaped ideas about native peoples and enslaved African Americans. In the 19th century, we will explore how war shaped notions about who was “an American” and who was not. It will focus on major wars and minor, limited conflicts. Restriction: Freshman by permission of instructor. Offered regularly, summer only.