After almost 250 years the American colonial revolt against King George III continues to “stir the hearts of men.” This class will look at the circumstances that led colonists to renounce their allegiance to the British crown and attempt to create what the revolutionaries called a “new order of the ages.” We will look at the political, social, diplomatic, and economic changes the Revolution caused; the fierce divisions it created; and the lasting impact the revolt had on everything from drinking habits and church hymnals to the national political structure and definitions of what being “American” meant then and today. 

Subject: history 

Robert Schoone-Jongen is a professor of history emeritus at Calvin University who continues to research and teach about the topics of immigration and the American presidency. He has published articles on the history of American immigration, especially Dutch immigration to New Jersey and Minnesota. His most recent courses for CALL included White House Wives; Dutch Immigration; Big Business, Big Money, Big Power; and the 1619 Project.