Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies

By: Robert J. Allison, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert J. Allison

The history of colonial America is a story of extraordinary scope, with Europeans, Africans, and the native peoples of North America interacting in a drama of settlement and conflict that lasted nearly three centuries. Go back in time and relive this epic story in 36 spellbinding lectures.

While concentrating on British North America, Professor Allison also covers developments in the colonial outposts of Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the all-important British possessions in the West Indies, which were the source of the most lucrative crop in the New World - sugar - and the reason for the enormous growth in the slave trade.

As you'll discover, the colonies were often turbulent, dangerous places. You'll learn about Indian wars, slave revolts, witch persecutions, rampant piracy, and other upheavals, as well as the gradual cementing of social order and the development of customs that made the colonies distinct - and difficult for the British government to rule.

These lectures build toward a discussion of the roots of the rebellion that succeeded in toppling the colonial system - the American Revolution - covering its long gestation and closing with an examination of the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.

In fundamental ways, the world we know today emerged from the tempestuous and eventful history of colonial America. Deepen your appreciation for this formative era with these historically rich, captivating, and highly informative lectures.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

Indians and religion

Very interesting. Not your typical course material. A lot about which Indians lived in what regions.

I had hoped for a lecture or two devoted to typical dwellings and what foods they prepared and how they did it, how people lived in town versus farther out.

But was enjoyable and informative.

Fan-bloody-tastic

i highly recommend this lecture series. Very informative, engaging narrative, and the professor is great to listen to.

Excellent Course On An Often Misunderstood Period!

Professor Robert Allison does an excellent job covering the development of Colonial America from the 1500's up to the American Revolution. This course cover's English, Spanish, French, and Dutch colonial developments as well as the Native American people and their struggles to cope in the rapidly changing landscape.

Very Interesting

Well researched. We'll told. Crazy and exciting times in American history. This lecture is a winner

Excellent recount of American Colonies up to the American Revolution

Enjoyed the presentation tremendously. I will be listening to this over and over again. A must read for every American.