A People’s History of the U.S. Part II, 1783-1877 (Best of OLLI)
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 several books, most recently The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. His Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home 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 May 31
- Available for $75 to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
- 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.
I’m hooked on the drama of Rick’s lectures. He brings heat and humanity to his subjects.
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.