Course

Who made America? This course examines how three peoples — Europeans, Natives, and Africans — encountered each other in North America. The course begins with first contact and then moves through the colonial period, culminating in the American Revolution. Lessons tackle topics including witch-hunting, the origins of slavery, the great awakening, Native America, slave revolts, immigration, inequality, sex and marriage, imperial conflicts, and the war for independence. Most importantly, the course places front and center the ordinary people whose lives and struggles made America.

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 Best of OLLI Course

• Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
• Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Dec. 31
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• Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

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