The Enlightenment Revolutions

In this class we will study the American Revolution in its global context. We’ll spend the first half of the class examining America’s colonial history from 1776 to 1789, specifically the circumstances which led this breakaway group of feisty upstarts to insist on creating their own country, independent of kings and queens and taxation without representation.

But we’ll also look at those who were wary of this new American project — most notably enslaved Africans and the Native population, who accurately predicted that independence from Britain would hurt their cause more than it would help. How do we reconcile this understanding of our history?

In the second half of the class we will compare the American Revolution to the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution, which happened at roughly the same time and were also the product of Enlightenment ideals. Students will examine how the French Revolution challenged entrenched systems of social class and privilege, while the Haitian Revolution confronted the brutal realities of slavery and racial hierarchy in the Atlantic world. Studying these three revolutions together helps students see the American Revolution not as an isolated event, but as part of a broader age of revolutionary change that transformed the modern world.

Prerequisite: Colonial America

Instructor: Laura Fokkena

DETAILS:

Suggested age range: 13+

Outside work: 2 to 3 hours per week (video + readings)

When & where: Fridays on Zoom from 12:30-1:30 Eastern Time, Feb. 19 - May 14, 2027. No class April 2.

Fee: $300 ungraded/$350 graded; this includes a non-refundable registration fee of $10. We offer discounts for groups, siblings, and students who enroll in multiple classes. (Discount information.) Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need.  (Waivers and payment plan information.) Questions about how classes work? Read our course FAQ.

Photo credit: Laura Fokkena