The Critical Decade: American Society and Crises in the 1850s

The 1850s was a critical decade in American history, as the nation struggled with fundamental questions about its identity and future. Could the country hold together despite sectional strife following the conquest of new territories from Mexico? Could institutions like the presidency and the Supreme Court address the pressing issues of the time? With a string of presidents who seemed unable to manage these crises, the question of leadership loomed large. The decade also raised questions about national unity—what symbols could bring Americans together, and which ones failed? Popular culture, including literature and music, reflected these tensions in ways that shaped public sentiment. This course will explore these themes, beginning with America after the Mexican-American War in week one. In week two, we will examine American voices such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who played key roles in shaping public discourse. Week three will focus on the growing sectional crisis and the question: Can this government endure? Finally, in week four, we will consider old ideas and new leadership, exploring the shifting party system and the challenges of the new decade.