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Master of American History and Government

Ashland University

AHG 630A:

American Statesmen: Lincoln and FDR

Sunday, June 29 to Friday, July 4, 2008

Instructors: Peter W. Schramm and Jean Edward Smith

Course Focus:

This course examines the lives, character, political thought and political practice of two of America's leading thinkers and statesmen, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Close attention will be given to the relationship between ideas and actions in their political careers.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Students will understand the central ideas that informed the political thought of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

  2. Students will understand the major political events and practical challenges and choices that faced Roosevelt and Lincoln over the course of their political careers.

  3. Students will understand how Roosevelt's and Lincoln's ideas shaped their practical political stances during the eras in which they lived.

  4. For example, students will understand the problem posed by Senator Douglas' notion of "popular sovereignty" and the spread of slavery and why Lincoln was in opposition to such an understanding, as well as the meaning of the New Deal and how FDR understood it in relation to constitutional government.

  5. Students will come to think through the meaning of the Union and the Constitution in the two great crises of the Republic, and reflect on the relationship between justice, rights, consent, and the role of prudence in a constitutional order. In short, they will attempt to grapple with the issue of extraordinary political leadership or statesmanship.

Course Requirements:

Students auditing the course as a part of a Teaching American History Grant program must complete the readings and fully participate in the seminars during the week.

Required Texts:

Schedule

Sunday, June 29

4:30 - 6:00pm:
Session 1 – The Self-Education and Character of Abraham Lincoln: 1809-1854 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

An attempt to establish a connection between Lincoln's youth, self-education, family background, poverty, and ambition.

Readings:

7:30 - 9:00pm:
Session 2 – Ashbrook Lecture (Attendance Required)

Monday, July 30

9:00 - 10:30am:
Session 3 – The Education and Character of Franklin D. Roosevelt: 1882-1920 (Professor Smith)

Focus:

An attempt to establish a connection between his youth, education, family background, wealth, and ambition.

Reading:

  • Smith, FDR, Chs. 1-9

10:50am - 12:20pm:
Session 4 – Lincoln Forming Opinion I, 1854-1858 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

Lincoln considers the Kansas-Nebraska Act a reversal of American policy towards domestic slavery. He argues against popular sovereignty. He opposes the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision.

Readings:

  • Lincoln, Peoria Speech, Oct. 16, 1854 (Repeal of the Missouri Compromise) (CP p. 35)
  • Lincoln, Springfield Speech, June 26, 1857 (Dred Scott decision) (CP p. 57)
  • Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln, Ch. 5
  • Carwardine, Lincoln, Ch. 2

4:30 - 6:00pm:
Session 5 – Polio and Politics, 1920-1932 (Professor Smith)

Focus:

FDR's crisis, ambition and nomination

Reading:

  • Smith, FDR, Chs. 10-13

Tuesday, July 1

9:00 - 10:30am:
Session 6 – Lincoln Forming Opinion II, 1854-1858 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

Lincoln explains why the people have no right to do a wrong.

Reading:

10:50am - 12:20pm:
Session 7 – President Roosevelt (Professor Smith)

Focus:

Authority and Power, 1932-1936

Readings:

  • Smith, FDR, Ch. 14-15
  • FDR, Forgotten Man, April 7, 1932 (CP p. 77)
  • FDR, First Inaugural, March 4, 1933 (CP p. 81)
  • FDR, Acceptance Speech, June 27, 1936 (CP p. 87)

4:30 - 6:00pm:
Session 8 – Lincoln and Party Politics, 1858-1860 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

Lincoln's presidential ambition, his party, the road to the nomination, and the election of 1860.

Readings:

Wednesday, July 2

9:00 - 10:30am:
Session 9 – Hubris and Prudence, 1936-1940 (Professor Smith)

Readings:

  • Smith, FDR, Chs. 17-21
  • FDR, Message to Congress on the Reorganization of the Judiciary, Feb. 5, 1937 (CP p. 181)

10:50am - 12:20pm:
Session 10 – Lincoln and the Limits of Power and Speech, 1860-1861 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

Lincoln sees the Union dissolving, establishes an agenda, and doesn't say much.

Readings:

4:30 - 6:00pm:
Session 11 – Arsenal of Democracy (Professor Smith)

Readings:

  • Smith, FDR, Ch. 22
  • FDR, Fireside Chat, Dec. 29, 1940 (CP p. 221)

Thursday, July 3

9:00 - 10:30am:
Session 12 – The Purpose of Power I: Saving the Union, 1861-1865 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

Lincoln, the politics of war, prudence, and the new birth of freedom.

Readings:

10:50am - 12:20pm:
Session 13 – War, 1941-1945 (Professor Smith)

Readings:

  • Smith, FDR, Chs. 23-26
  • FDR, Declaration of War, Dec. 8, 1941 (CP p. 265)

4:30 - 6:00pm:
Session 14 – The Purpose of Power II: Making it Worth the Saving, 1861-1865 (Professor Schramm)

Focus:

What are Lincoln's objectives as the newly re-elected president?

Readings:

Friday, July 4

9:00 - 10:30am:
Session 15 – Commander-in-Chief (Professor Smith)

Reading:

  • Smith, FDR, Chs. 24-26

10:50am - 12:20pm:
Session 16 – Review & Questions

1:30 - 3:00pm:
Session 17 – Final Comprehensive Examination