Explore the many ways in which the Great War changed the world, from prisoner of war camps in Switzerland, to resistance movements in Belgium, memorial stadiums in the U.S. and a quarantine law in Kansas. A panel of KU faculty, staff and students will share research they conducted for doctoral dissertations and senior honors theses, […]
Harvard Kennedy School professor Leah Rigueur lays out a new understanding of the interaction between African-Americans and the Republican Party, exploring the seemingly incongruous intersection of civil rights and American conservatism. Her book, “The Loneliness of the Black Republican,” delves into four decades of history from the New Deal to Reagan’s ascent in 1980. This […]
In November 1974, following the historic Watergate scandal, Americans voiced their displeasure with the GOP by electing a wave of 76 Democratic freshmen to the U.S. House of Representatives. Commonly referred to as “Watergate Babies,” some characterized them as idealistic and naïve, while others point to their work championing unprecedented reforms in Washington. Author John […]
The U.S. has a proud tradition of serving as a haven for Europe’s cast offs — yet immediately before and throughout World War II, America shut its doors to refugees fleeing the oppression of the Nazis. No group suffered more from this than Europe’s Jews. David Cotter analyzes the ideological battle between isolationists and internationalists […]
“I was not in a position to choose whether I want to be an artist or actor or astronaut or mathematician or linguist or lawyer. That’s not an option when you’re not free because you fight for life and death. And that’s how I and that’s how everybody in my generation became politically active. We […]
Most of the world focused its attention on events in Europe during the First World War, but many changes were brought to the Far East as well. Both China and Korea suffered from Japan’s favorable treatment in the Treaty of Versailles, adding to the ongoing political upheavals in both countries. The U.S., meanwhile, maintained a […]
In battle, every soldier’s reaction is unique. The related range of brain chemistry reactions, acquired coping skills and shaping behavioral norms are so diverse that the concept of a “universal soldier” response to combat loses all meaning. Dr. Ed Coss leads an examination of this interactive process, clarifying what soldiers experience in battle and why […]
In the waning years of the American Revolutionary War, Deborah Sampson felt a higher calling as she heard news of the rebellion while in Massachusetts. Her response? The former indentured servant and schoolteacher disguised herself in men’s clothing and enlisted in the Continental Army under the name “Robert Shurtlieff.” Historical interpreter Judith Kalaora visits the […]
Often called the “Forgotten War,” the Korean War was, in fact, the ignored war. It was ignored not because Americans did not care, but because they cared too much about the threat posed by Communism and the Soviet Union. Dr. Janet Valentine examines the Korean War home front in context of America’s fear of Soviet […]
A wide variety of complex and diverse aspects defined the Italian experience as both enemy and ally during World War II. Lou DiMarco will lead an examination of these themes, drawing on topics such as daily life in Italy during the war, the role of the Mafia and the Italian resistance movement. The Italian experience […]
The race to Election Day is heating up, providing one of the state’s most fascinating midterm cycles in recent memory. Guests can get an inside look at many of the seats in play at the 2018 Journalism and Politics Lecture. A panel of Kansas journalists discuss how they cover the midterm elections, highlight key races […]
Proposed after the Civil War and ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment is perhaps the single most important amendment to the Constitution. The 14th Amendment guaranteed citizenship to the former slaves and their descendants, and it also guaranteed “due process of law” and “equal protection of the laws” with respect to actions by state and […]
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