Yale University

America at 250: The Podcast

History EN ↓ 37 episodes

This one-time-only course examines U.S. history from 1776 to the present, in advance of the nation’s semiquincentennial (or 250th birthday) in 2026. Taught jointly by Professors Joanne Freeman, David Blight, and Beverly Gage, the course emphasizes the history of the nation-state and the contested nature of American national identity. All three scholars will deliver the course’s first and final lectures together, as an introduction and a wrap-up. In between, they will each deliver eight lectures individually based on their areas of expertise. Joanne Freeman, the Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Profes...

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Yale University

Episodes

Studio Conversation: What is a Republic? Hamilton, Jackson, and more 20.10.2025 1:01:02

Professors David Blight, Beverly Gage, and Joanne Freeman discuss Professor Freeman’s final lectures on Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, and how America’s experiment with democracy was received by outsiders.

Class 9 – Whose America? Protest and Reform 17.10.2025 52:39

Searching and struggles, opportunities and losses. Professor Joanne Freeman concludes her series of lectures for the course.

Class 8 – Jacksonian “Democracy” 15.10.2025 47:58

Jeffersonian Republicans to the rise of Jackson populism. Professor Joanne Freeman discusses the impact of the election of 1800 and more.

Class 7 – What Kind of Nation? Democracy, Hamilton, Jefferson, and More 09.10.2025 50:05

Professor Joanne Freeman continues with the 1790s, the “Reign of Witches” and how the Federalists tried to hold onto power.

Class 6 – Republican Precedents and Presidents: The Placement of Power 08.10.2025 47:54

The 1790s was a pivotal time for the new America and Professor Joanne Freeman takes us on a tour.

Studio Conversation: The Federalists, Early Republic, and the real Hamilton 03.10.2025 47:46

Professors David Blight, Beverly Gage, and Joanne Freeman discuss Professor Freeman’s Week 2 lectures on the Federalists (don’t call them papers) and whether anyone would actually like the real Alexander Hamilton.

Class 5: Framing a Nation: The Constitution 01.10.2025 52:20

Professor Freeman describes the structure and process of the new Constitution.

Class 4 – What Kind of Union? 25.09.2025 48:48

Professor Joanne Freeman explains the role of states in the American Experiment.

Studio Conversation: John Adams’ To-do List and “Common Sense” 19.09.2025 46:43

Professors David Blight, Beverly Gage, and Joanne Freeman discuss Professor Freeman’s first 3 lectures.

Class 3 – Declaring Independence 19.09.2025 49:00

Professor Joanne Freeman continues her exploration of the American Experiment with an inside view of the deliberations leading to the Declaration of Independence.

Class 2: Revolutionary (and Not So Revolutionary) Beginnings 18.09.2025 40:58

Professor Joanne Freeman begins her section on The American Experiment. This one-time-only course examines U.S. history from 1776 to the present, in advance of the nation’s semiquincentennial (or 250th birthday) in 2026. Taught jointly by Professors Joanne Freeman, David Blight, and Beverly Gage, the course emphasizes the history of the nation-state and the contested nature of American national id...

Class 1: The Road to 250 17.09.2025 34:12

Introduction to the course with all three professors setting the stage, recorded live from Battell Chapel at Yale University.