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American history, in many ways, is composed of military conflicts. The causes, battles and results of those wars have had immense ramifications upon America and Americans, felt even today. This course examines three aspects of the conflicts: First, what caused America’s wars, with an emphasis on the ideological causes. Second, the battle tactics and broad strategies which affected the wars’ outcomes. Third, the major ideological and political ramifications of each war.
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: High School
Suggested credit: One full semester American History
Description
American history, in many ways, is composed of military conflicts. The causes, battles and results of those wars have had immense ramifications upon America and Americans, felt even today. This course examines three aspects of the conflicts: First, what caused America’s wars, with an emphasis on the ideological causes. Second, the battle tactics and broad strategies which affected the wars’ outcomes. Third, the major ideological and political ramifications of each war.
Outline
Classes 1-2: Introduction, and the Revolutionary War
Class 3: The War of 1812
Classes 4-6: The Civil War
Class 7: The Spanish-American War/War in the Philippines
Class 8: WWI
Class 9-10: WWII
Class 11: The Korean War
Class 12: The Vietnam War
Class 13: The Gulf War
Class 14: The Iraq War
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: The Wars of America, Robert Leckie, ISBN-10: 0785809147 or ISBN-13: 978-0785809142 (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785809147/chrisgooverth-20 or on bookfinder.com) NOTE” This book contains mild language.
Students will also be provided with excerpts from the following texts:
The End of Victory Culture: Cold War America and the Disillusioning of a Generation, Tom Engelhardt
Success and Failure in Limited War: Information and Strategy in the Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Iraq Wars, Spencer D. Bakich
Homework: Students should expect to generally have between 20-30 pages of reading from the textbook, some of which in preparation for class discussion. They should plan approx. 2-3 hours of homework a week in reading and studying. More optional reading may also be suggested to students.
NOTE: Middle school students taking this class will not be required to do the reading
Also, students will have one to two short (5-10 minute), ungraded review quizzes based on classroom lectures and discussions.
