Ideas Matter: ‘Sin or Freedom: what was the foundation of America?’

Fifth podcast in the series ‘The use and abuse of history’, theme
of the boi charity’s event The Academy, held online in April
2021. 


The founding ideals of the United States of America are
increasingly called into question. Rather than an experiment in
democratic self-government and throwing off the shackles of
British imperialism, America is seen as a racist creation devoted
to the institution of slavery. This episode assesses the contrast
between the lofty ideals of the American founding fathers and the
‘original sin’ of slavery. Was its foundation marked by a
distinctive attempt to take control of history? And what are the
consequences of today’s impulse to tar the past as irredeemably
corrupt? 


Lecturers: Dr Cheryl Hudson, lecturer in US Political History,
University of Liverpool and Professor Francis Buckley, Foundation
Professor, George Mason University; political commentator;
author, The Way Back: Restoring the Promise of America


THE ACADEMY ONLINE II: THE USE AND ABUSE OF HISTORY A half day
online event via zoom that took place in April 2021.   To
view the full programme and some suggested background reading to
the talks, please visit  https://theboi.co.uk/academyonline3
 


 


ASSOCIATED READING  For this lecture you may wish to
read:-  • ‘American Slavery, American Freedom’ by Edmund S.
Morgan (2003) https://tinyurl.com/up4hmf69  • ‘American
Secession: The Looming Threat of a National Breakup’ by F.H.
Buckley (2020) https://tinyurl.com/5buevvtm  


THE ACADEMY In the context of today’s instrumental approaches to
knowledge, The Academy summer school is a modest attempt to
demonstrate the value of scholarship, and of the worth of the
university as a place of free enquiry dedicated to the pursuit of
truth.


DONATING TO THE BOI CHARITY The BOI charity is committed to
continuing to host discussion and debates throughout this period
when society is restricted by measures to tackle coronavirus. In
order to realise events such as the Academy Online, none of our
staff are furloughed and instead remain working. If you can, then
please consider a donation, small or large. Visit:
https://theboi.co.uk/donate 


IDEAS MATTER PODCAST Ideas Matter is a podcast that takes the
most important issues of our times and explores the ideas and
intellectual trends that have shaped where we are today.


You can subscribe and listen to Ideas Matter on iTunes, Podbean,
Spotify or SoundCloud. For full details of all episodes, visit
the podcast page on our website


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