Thomas Jefferson: A Study in Contradiction
Historian Peter Onuf talks about the apparent contradiction between Thomas Jefferson as a champion of freedom, liberty, and democracy, and Thomas Jefferson the aristocrat and slave owner.
Alexander Hamilton: Target of Republican Mistrust
Historian Peter Onuf says that Republicans both feared and respected Alexander Hamilton, believing that he wanted to make the United States over in the image of Britain. "Many of Hamilton's troubles," Professor Onuf explains, "...go back to the Cons...
Division of Labor and the Industrial Revolution
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris talks about the division of labor by gender before and during the Industrial Revolution. "Women's labor is...cheap labor because it's assumed that women do not have to support families and therefore th...
History of Professional Women
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris traces the history of professional women in the United States, from the colonial period to modern times.
Louisiana Purchase, The
Historian Peter Onuf explains that Thomas Jefferson's interest in the Louisiana territory was not driven by a desire to double the size of the United States. Knowing that France had an interest in New Orleans, Jefferson was concerned that the new we...
Jefferson, Adams, and the Constitution
Historian Peter Onuf talks about the roles played by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the early days of the United States. Professor Onuf explains that when Jefferson was elected President in 1800 (following Adams), he wanted to, "...overthrow the...
Jefferson Before The Revolution
Historian Peter Onuf explains that Thomas Jefferson wrote what may scholars consider to be a "rehearsal" for the Declaration of Independence when he wrote an incendiary pamphlet called the Summary Review of the Rights of British America.
Peace of Paris, The
Historian Peter Onuf explains that the 1783 Peace of Paris that followed the Revolutionary War was a mixed blessing for the Americans, because, "...much of American history for the next generation will be about the difficulty of consolidating Americ...
Meeting at Annapolis
Historian Peter Onuf talks about the meeting at Annapolis, convened to amend the Articles of Confederation. While those efforts failed, because not enough states attended and the agenda was too limited, the eventual result was better than anyone cou...
Division of Labor in Colonial America
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris talks about patterns of work during colonial times. Professor Harris notes that both men and women worked in the colonial household. "There was no such thing as a non-working person," she points out.