The 100 plus years that England had allowed the colonists to function somewhat independently came to an end with the French and Indian War. The British looked around after the War ended and noticed that the colonists had not been following the rules established for colonies.  The problem was that during these 100 years the … Continue reading Class Notes →

The Beginning of the French and Indian War did not go so well for the British fighting in the Americas. The British Army greatly outnumbered the French Army, so there was no incentive for the French to fight in a traditional European style. Instead, they used guerrilla tactics and attacked small settlements.  When they did … Continue reading Class Notes →

The Election of 1892 is one of the least exciting and least talked about elections in American history.  The Democrats ran a lawyer who had a proven track record of reform, welcome back ex-President Grover Cleveland.  The Republicans also ran a lawyer with a proven track record on reform, current President Benjamin Harrison.  Neither one … Continue reading Class Notes →

When Charles II was brought back to his father’s throne after the Civil War, he did all he could to work with Parliament, after all his father had lost his head.  Mainly he tried to be a good Anglican.  One problem was since he did not have any heirs the next in line for King … Continue reading Class Notes →

 Another thing to take into account when studying the American Revolution is the political situation in England that had a direct influence on the colonists.  At the time of colonization, nations in Europe, like Spain, France, and England were in the process of transitioning from feudal kingdoms to the centralized ones.  The difference was that … Continue reading Class Notes →

John G. Turner, Brigham Young Pioneer Prophet (Cambridge: Harvard Press, 2012) One area I enjoy studying is American religion. If like me, you are a fan of Richard Bushman’s Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling then I want to recommend the book Brigham Young Pioneer Prophet by John Turner. Turner is a Religious Studies professor at … Continue reading Book Review →

Not much happened during the Cleveland presidency.  For one, government did not do much in the Gilded age, so not doing much was on purpose.  Secondly, the Democratic party was composed of a diverse group of people, political machines and Mugwumps, free traders and protectionists, Gold Standardists and unlimited coinagers, and finally not to mention … Continue reading Class Notes →

Jean Jacques Rousseau in his work, The Social Contract, argued that the ideal state would not be ruled by the divine right of Kings as most believed at the time, or Enlightened Despots of Hobbs, or self-interested property holders of Locke. Government should follow the will of the people ahead of the people’s own self-interest.  … Continue reading Class Notes →

In the 1880 Election with a divided Republican Party, it looked as if the Democrats could pull out a rare victory.  Both sides had nominated a Union General, the Republicans James Garfield and the Democrats the hero of Gettysburg Winfield Scott Hancock.  The Republicans were able to win by keeping the party united. The Stalwarts … Continue reading Class Notes →

To understand how the colonists went from happy British Subjects to rebellious patriots, you have to put the revolution into context of the Enlightenment.  The Founders were all well read on political thought, especially Hobbs, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.  The Enlightenment taught them to question everything.  They questioned the laws of the universe, natural law, … Continue reading Class Notes →