Course

Note: This course stands on its own. There is no need to have taken Part 1, which covered the period before the American Revolution. 

Who made the United States? This course examines how three peoples — Europeans, Natives and Africans — encountered each other in the newly United States. The course begins with the American Revolution and proceeds through the early republic and antebellum era, culminating with the Civil War and Reconstruction. Most importantly, the course places front and center the ordinary people whose lives and struggles made the new nation. 

Faculty Bio 

Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time 
• Classes will also be video recorded
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and ends on Tuesday, Oct. 28 
• Classes meet for 6 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (2–3:30 PM)
• All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy in Member Dashboards through Dec. 31

 Member Praise for Richard Bell

What a wonderful class and brilliant instructor! I loved Rick’s style of presentation = intense and dramatic. I’m so impressed with my fellow OLLIians = smart, informed, engaged. Everything worked for me.

​​Amazing content. Amazing delivery.

After the first ten minutes of the first class, I turned to my husband, who had also signed up for the class, and said, “He is terrific!”

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Richard Bell from our archive.