Forgotten America: Rediscovering Events That Changed the Nation

Smallpox swept across colonial America in waves, devastating cities and ravaging vulnerable populations. In the course's inaugural lesson, explore how early Americans thought about and responded to the scourge. Get to know inoculation's leading proponents as well as its skeptics. And see how smallpox and germ warfare affected the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

Owing to political and social pressure, motion pictures opted to censor themselves in the 20th century. Peek behind the curtain to see how moral panic collided with free speech and artistic expression in Hollywood and track the demise of the Hays Code with the wide release of films like "Psycho" and "Bonnie and Clyde."

Many in the United States sought to restrict immigration in the late 19th century. In this lecture, focus on Chinese exclusion. Why was the federal government so eager to curb a population it had depended on for cheap railroad labor? And how did the Chinese Exclusion Act lay the groundwork for Japanese internment 60 years later?

The most fatal ailment in the United States at the turn of the century, tuberculosis made its mark on American politics, culture, and even infrastructure. Explore consumption's lasting impact on westward expansion, desserts, popular fashion, lawn furniture, and everyday manners, and learn about the scientific theory that transformed how Americans understand the disease.

During the Great Depression, a cadre of World War I veterans descended on Washington, DC, to demand fair pay, transforming the National Mall into a long-term campsite. Examine the fight for veteran benefits in the United States, focusing on the so-called Bonus Army and their efforts in the interwar years.

Investigate the rise of the American fascist movement, starting with the spread of antisemitic conspiracy theories by famed industrialist Henry Ford. See how Nazi sympathizers like Charles Lindberg lobbied against US involvement in World War II. And track the movement's swift demise after its extremism became impossible to ignore.