American Studies

Historical Sites

Forging a Nation: Colonization, Revolution, and Westward Expansion

Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
This online exhibit "explores the role religion played in the founding of the American colonies, in the shaping of early American life and politics, and in forming the American Republic [covering the 1600s through the 1800s]." Includes annotated images of "books, manuscripts, letters, prints, paintings, [and] artifacts." From the Library of Congress.

Civil War and Reconstruction

Emancipation Proclamation
Small exhibit on the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln at the beginning of 1863 during the Civil War. Includes an essay about Lincoln and slavery, timeline, and images of versions of the document. Part of a Library of Congress American Memory Project presentation about the papers of Abraham Lincoln. Click on the link “Abraham Lincoln papers” at the bottom left of the page for access to a wide variety of documents about this president.

The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
An online version of one of the primary sources of the U.S. Civil War (70 volumes, published in 1880-1901 by the War Records Office). Searchable. Part of the "Making of America" series by Cornell University Library.

Secession Era Editorials Project
A collection of primary source material, including documents, editorials, speeches, and articles from 19th century American history. Sections include Early National Politics, Slavery and Sectionalism, Nebraska Bill, Sumner's Caning, Dred Scott Decision, John Brown and Harper's Ferry, 1850s Statistical Almanac, 1860 Election, Secession and War, and Post Civil War. Some of the texts are searchable. From Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.

Crisis at Fort Sumter
An "interactive historical simulation and decision making program" that allows the user to make decisions just as President Lincoln had to at the beginning of the Civil War. With an explanation of events and advice from the official advisors, the user chooses a course of action based upon the information provided. A fascinating exercise in history, public policy, and the political process. From a history professor at Tulane University.

American Civil War Collections
Civil War letters and diary entries include transcriptions and digital images of the manuscripts. Each collection is annotated and tells whether the letters are from spouses, sweethearts, relatives, or others. The site also includes speeches, fictional writings, spirituals, and legal texts relating to the war. The newspaper collection is for students at the University of Virginia only. From the University of Virginia Library's Electronic Text Center.

Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War
"The Valley Project details life in two American communities, one Northern and one Southern, from the time of John Brown's Raid through the era of Reconstruction." Contains photographs, maps, "thousands of original letters and diaries, newspapers and speeches, [and] census and church records, left by men and women in Augusta County, Virginia, and Franklin County, Pennsylvania." Many of the sources are searchable.

The Great Depression

Riding the Rails
Brief essay about the "more than two million men and perhaps 8,000 women [who] became hoboes" during the Great Depression. Includes illustrations, a short list of people who rode the rails and later became famous, and an oral history from one man who became a hobo during this period. From Wessels Living History Farm, a project devoted to the history of American agriculture.

Teenage Hoboes in the Great Depression
Small presentation about the "over 250,000 young people [who] left home [during the Great Depression] in hope and desperation and began riding freight trains or hitchhiking across America." Topics include railroads during the Depression era, the Civilian Conservation Corps, food and shelter, and art related to hobo life. Includes a bibliography. From the National Heritage Museum, an American history museum founded and supported by Scottish Rite Freemasons.

Literature Sites