US History II

In our last seminar, we explored cultural and intellectual tensions in the 1920s (“who belongs as an American?” “is modern life making society better or worse?” “what does ‘modernity’ mean?”). By the end of the 1920s, a deep economic depression had profoundly altered life for everyday Americans and led to permanent changes in the relationship of the government to the economy and to its citizens. In this unit, we examine the period from the Great Depression through the 1930s and ending with the Second World War. Continue reading →

Links for today’s Culture of the 1930s workshop: Continue reading →

Over the next two weeks, we’ll study the dramatic changes that happened in the United States between 1916 and 1932. The newly-militarized U.S. joined a global conflict and sought to be a world leader in its postwar resolution; the nation shifted towards cultural and political conservatism and xenophobic nativism partly in response to the influx of foreign-born; and it became a more “modern” nation in many new and measurable ways. Continue reading →

Monday, Feb 6: Our Seminar #1. Please remember your entrance ticket is a 2-page printed paper to show you’re prepared for the discussion. Continue reading →

For Wednesday, Feb 1
In Foner’s chapter 18, we look at how the interrelated threads of the 19th century can be seen intertwining under the broad umbrella of reform movements in the early 20th century. What does “progress” mean to you? What did it mean to various groups of reformers between 1900 and 1916? What was/wasn’t achieved? How “progressive” was the Progressive Era? Continue reading →

For Monday, Jan 30
Foner’s chapter 17 explores four interrelated movements that all happened within the last decade of the 19th century — all of which had deep and lasting consequences for the start of the 20th century: the rise of Populism; establishing Jim Crow racial segregation across the South; clashes over immigration, women’s rights, and labor; and American imperialism and war. Continue reading →

I’ve added a new page to the website with the Powerpoints from previous lectures. See the “Slides” tab, above. Continue reading →

For Monday, Jan 23

Reading: GML Ch 15 / WWL Ch 1. Bring to class: both books, and a 50-word sentence about the meaning(s) of Reconstruction. Continue reading →

This website serves as the hub for Tona Hangen’s section of US History II US Since 1877 (HI 112-03) in the Spring 2017 semester at Worcester State University. The class meets Mon/Wed 3:30 – 4:15 in Sullivan 314. Continue reading →

Reminder: The 4th and last exam (Chapters 27-29) will take place during finals period. Continue reading →