American History

Our group started in 2013 and considers American History in the broadest sense, with the scope covering USA, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America from pre-colonial days to mid/late 20th century. We are currently focussing on the colonial era from the early settlers and colonies, through to the development of states, the declaration and war of independence and the constitution. We will follow, in subsequent terms, with later periods of history.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!     We have recently welcomed several new members and are seeking to further expand our activities. No prior knowledge is needed – anyone who wants to learn or share knowledge of this fascinating subject is welcome.

TOPICS from January 2025 include:

• The “Overmountain men”
• The War of Independence
• George Washington - the statesman
• The Lewis & Clark expedition
• American heroes and heroines
• Early entrepreneurs and innovations
• National historic monuments of the US 
• The electoral two-party system

The 2023/24 session covered a wide variety of topics as highlighted below.

• The pre-colonial era including the Hopewell culture, the rise and fall of the Comanche empire and the last of the Mohicans
• The establishment, development and expansion of the North American continent, with talks on New York, Pennsylvania and the Louisiana purchase
• A description of how settlers migrated westwards into the new frontier lands and the infamous gunslingers and military figures including General Custer.
• Conditions for slaves on the plantations and how their resilience helped shape African American music. Also, the work of Frederick Douglass as an influential abolitionist.
• The American Constitution – particularly the Amendments and how this helped lead to equality of treatment, but also the continuation of restrictions through segregation and other measures prior to the Civil Rights Act.
• The Franklin and Amundsen expeditions of the Northwest passage linking the Atlantic and the Pacific
• The history of the Philippines including America’s role in WW2
• We also heard about many and varied 19th and 20th century events and personalities including: the assassination of President Kennedy; the life, times and music of George Gershwin and Frank Sinatra; environmental innovators from the 19th and 20th century - namely, John Muir and Rachel Carson; and the works of the author John Steinbeck

We also heard about many and varied 19^th and 20^th century events and personalities including: The assassination of President Kennedy; The life, times and music of George Gershwin and Frank Sinatra, Environmental innovators from the 19^th and 20^th century, - namely John Muir and Rachel Carson; and the works of the author John Steinbeck

Here is a link to the printable flyer which gives the programme for 2025