We now accept that there are great divisions in our country. But it is less known that many of these divisions have cultural origins that go back to before 1776. This course will examine the English source of how these cultures and their leaders impact us today.

In the 1630s, the religious, learned, and economically successful Puritans came from East Anglia and settled in New England. John Winthrop and later, Lyman Beecher were important leaders. The clannish and violent Scotch-Irish came in great numbers from Northern Ireland and initially occupied the western Pennsylvania frontier. Andrew Jackson was the early personification of this group.   

In the 19th century, both groups helped settle our west. Puritan abolitionists and ministers migrated to the upper Midwest and later the Pacific Coast. Following the lead of Harvard’s Charles Eliot, they founded towns and colleges along their way west. The Scotch-Irish migrated down the Appalachians to Texas and California. They were often cowboys and soldiers with Gene Autry singing their song, and Gen. George Patton leading them. You will find the unique imprints of Puritans and Scotch-Irish, even today, in all the states where they settled.

This course will combine short lectures with frequent Q&A opportunities.