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From Disunion to Empire: The United States, 1850–1900
For the United States, the second half of the nineteenth century was a period of profound, wrenching, and unprecedented change. The Civil War, industrialization, westward expansion, and a continuous flow of immigrants transformed the nation. What had been an isolated, agrarian republic riven by sectional conflict became a continental empire bound by a strong national government and increasingly sophisticated transportation, communication, and economic networks.
"From Disunion to Empire: The United States, 1850–1900" was a series of two teacher institutes that brought Texas teachers together with leading scholars to explore this pivotal period in American history. The institutes covered topics central to courses in U.S. and Texas history, including the growth of sectional conflict and the Civil War; the effects of Reconstruction on the political, economic, and social life of the nation; western expansion; industrialization and urbanization; and the impact of reforms and third-party movements in the late nineteenth century.
The institutes were scheduled in consecutive weeks in June 2008, the first in Denton (June 8–11), the second in San Antonio (June 15–18). The forty teachers selected to participate in each institute received a $300 stipend, continuing professional development credit, a travel allowance, housing, partial cost of meals, and a rich set of teaching materials.
Sponsors
"From Disunion to Empire" was sponsored by Humanities Texas, Trinity University, and the University of North Texas and made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People initiative.
Questions
Please direct any questions about the program to Eric Lupfer, Humanities Texas Director of Grants and Education, at 512.440.1991 or education@humanitiestexas.org.