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:

• Course Preparation and Contribution
  This course will proceed at a very quick pace. To the extent possible, you should do a fair amount of the reading in advance of the week at Ashland. The course will consist of both lectures and in-class discussions.

• Examination
  There will be a final, comprehensive examination in this course. This exam will consist of essay and short answer questions.

  Note: Grading in this course is based on a combination of your contribution to class discussions and the final examination.

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.

• Jean Edward Smith, FDR
• Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
• Richard J. Carwardine, Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power
• Allen C. Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President
• Course Packet (CP) of additional reading materials. These materials are also required texts for your course.

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:

• Elihu Root, "Lincoln as a Leader of Men" (CP p. 5)
• The Great Seal of the United States (CP p. 11)
• Lincoln, "Fragment on the Constitution and the Union", circa Jan. 1861 (CP p. 13)
• Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (CP p. 15)
• Lincoln, Speech to the Young Men's Lyceum, Jan. 1838 (CP p. 17)
• Lincoln, Temperance Address, Feb. 22, 1842 (CP p. 23)
• Lincoln, Letter to J.W. Fell, Dec. 20, 1859 (CP p. 31)
• Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln, Chs. 1-4
• Carwardine, Lincoln, Ch. 1

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:

• Lincoln, House Divided Speech, June 16, 1858 (CP p. 67)

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:

• Lincoln, Fragment on Slavery, Aug. 1, 1858 (CP p. 95)
• Lincoln, First Joint Debate with Douglas, Ottawa, Aug. 21, 1858 (CP p. 97)
• Lincoln, Second Joint Debate, Freeport, Aug. 27, 1858 (CP p. 127)
• Lincoln, Fragment on Slavery, Oct. 1, 1858 (CP p. 159)
• Lincoln, Address to Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Sept. 30, 1859 (CP p. 161)
• Lincoln, Address at Cooper Institute, Feb. 27, 1860 (CP p. 167)
• Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln, Ch. 6
• Carwardine, Lincoln, Ch. 3

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:

• Lincoln, Farewell Speech, Springfield, Feb. 11, 1861 (CP p. 189)
• Lincoln, Address to the Assembly of New Jersey, Feb. 21, 1861 (CP p. 191)
• Lincoln, Address in Independence Hall, Feb. 22, 1861 (CP p. 193)
• Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861 (CP p. 195)
• Lincoln, Letter to Ephraim & Phoebe Ellsworth, May 25, 1861 (CP p. 201)
• Lincoln, Message to Congress, Dec. 3 1861 (CP p. 203)
• Carwardine, Lincoln, Ch. 4

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:

• Lincoln, Message to Congress in Special Session, July 4, 1861 (CP p. 231)
• Lincoln, Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Sept. 22, 1862 (CP p. 243)
• Lincoln, Final Emancipation Proclamation, Jan. 1, 1863 (CP p. 245)
• Lincoln, Letter to Erastus Corning, June 12, 1863 (CP p. 247)
• Lincoln, Letters to James H. Hackett, Aug. 17 & Nov. 2, 1863 (CP p. 255)
• Lincoln, Letter to James C. Conkling, Aug. 26, 1863 (CP p. 257)
• Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863 (CP p. 261)
• Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln, Chs. 7-8
• Carwardine, Lincoln, Chs. 5-6

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:

• Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1865 (CP p. 269)
• Lincoln, Letter to Thurlow Weed, Mar. 15, 1865 (CP p. 271)
• Lincoln, Response to a Serenade, Apr. 10, 1865 (CP p. 273)
• Lincoln, Last Public Address, Apr. 11, 1865 (CP p. 275)
• Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln, Chs. 9-10
• Carwardine, Lincoln, Ch. 7

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