HIST 2000 - History of Invention & Technology in America

Objectives: The student will

1. List key inventions and technological developments in various areas of American life.
2. Compare and contrast the impact that key inventions have played in various areas of American life.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate an overall knowledge of the power that technology has possessed in the shaping and development of American history.

Objectives: The student will

1. Identify key motivating factors that have influenced key technological development.
2. Describe the various impacts that these key technologies have had on American industrial life.
3. Describe the various impacts that these key technologies have had on American economic and political life.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate an overall knowledge of the benefits and problems that invention and technology have posed for Americans throughout history.

Objectives: The student will

1. Describe the impact (both positive and negative) that key technologies have had on the average American throughout history.
2. Compare and contrast the benefits and problems that invention and technology posed for Americans in the past with the benefits and problems that invention and technology pose for the average American today.

1. American current dominance in global technology and current love affair with all things technological
2. The rise of America’s dominance and love affair with technology
   1. The historical uniqueness of America’s relationship with technology
   2. The birth of America’s love affair - Colonial life
   3. Independence and the evolution of American technology
      1. Early years and random, uncontrolled but inspiring development
         1. War of 1812 - the beginning of American industrial evolution
         2. 19th century Increasing industrial and technological evolution
         3. Gilded Age - Industrial and technological greatness just around the corner
            1. Impact of the Civil War
            2. Impact of the opening and exploitation of the West
      2. Rocky Road to Industrial Greatness
         1. Industrial greatness and industrial abuses in the Gilded Age
         2. Progressive Era The attempt to control industry and technology
         3. Embracing success in the Roaring 1920s
         4. Great Depression Dealing with the aftermath of the Roaring 20s
      3. Reaching Industrial Greatness
         1. World War II
         2. New superpower status - economic and political
         3. Cold War - the embracing of military technology
3. The Impact of American technology and industry
   1. Failures of the Cold War
      1. Overuse of technology
      2. Use of technology to sell our ideals
      3. Obsessive consumerism
   2. Legacy of the Cold War
      1. Domestic turmoil
      2. International tensions
      3. Shadow of the Cold War