In this course, students will explore the roots of US global hegemony in the 20th century by studying the peculiar evolution of American capitalism since 1776. Focus will be placed on the long-term foundations of US hard and soft power, and on the various facets of this power: US military might, industrial production, and monetary power, but also the appeal of the “American Way of Life” and of American cultural products. Through the analysis of textual, video, and audio primary sources, we will explore the many different ways in which the US projected its hard and soft power in the world up to the present day. The objective of this course is to let students construct their own historical knowledge based on the analysis of primary and secondary sources. In this sense, this is not just an introduction to American history: it is also an introduction to the work of a historian. Because the past is never really past, students will be encouraged to draw connections between these historical themes and more contemporary issues.
