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For most of American history, the right to vote has been a privilege restricted by wealth, sex, race, and literacy. Economic qualifications were finally eliminated in the nineteenth century, but the ideal of a White man’s republic persisted long after that. Women and racial minorities had to fight hard and creatively to secure their voices. This course examines the history of voting and elections in America from the constitutional era through the present from an interdisciplinary perspective. It explores both theories of voting and elections and struggles for the vote by minority peoples, women, and other groups. These struggles have taken place in the streets, in the halls of legislatures, and in the courtrooms. It concludes by investigating recent threats to American democracy and considering ways to improve access to voting and ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in the United States.

COURSE CONTENT

• Twelve lectures
• Primary source readings that complement the lectures
• A certificate of completion for 15 hours of professional development credit

Readings: The suggested readings for each session will be listed on the “Resources” link on the course content page in the online learning system. You are not required to read or purchase any print materials. Quizzes are based on the lectures.

Course Access: After your purchase, you may access your course by signing into the Gilder Lehrman website and clicking on the My Courses link, which can be found under My Account in the navigation menu.

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LEAD SCHOLAR: Allan J. Lichtman

Allan J. Lichtman received his PhD from Harvard University in 1973 with a specialty in modern American history and quantitative methods. He became an Assistant Professor of History at American University in 1973, a Full Professor in 1980, and a Distinguished Professor in 2011. He has published eleven books and several hundred popular and scholarly articles. He has lectured in the US and internationally and provided commentary for major US and foreign networks and leading newspapers and magazines across the world. He has been an expert witness in some 100 civil and voting rights cases. Lichtman won the National Jewish Book Award Prize in American Jewish History and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times book prize in history.