C-SPAN - American History TV - Lectures in History
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1920's Culture & Society
In this program, Georgetown University professor Michael Kazin teaches a class on 1920's culture and society. He discusses Prohibition and the exploits of the gangster Al Capone, who eventually went to prison on tax evasion charges. Professor Kazin also talks about the motion picture industry and the new production codes that sought to tamp down on sexuality in films. In addition, he addresses the 1925 Scopes Trial, in which a high school teacher faced charges of unlawfully teaching...
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Creek Indians & the First Seminole War
Florida State University Professor Andrew Frank discusses the Creek Indians and the First Seminole War, which took place in the early 19th century in the southeastern part of the U.S. and Spanish-controlled Florida. The war was fought in part to prevent slaves from fleeing into Florida.
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Lincoln, Slavery & Emancipation
President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22nd, 1862. Professor George Forgie discusses the evolution of Lincoln?s thinking on slavery, and the political and legal factors Lincoln considered when issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. This class is from the University of Texas at Austin.
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John Dewey and Progressive Era Education Reform
John Dewey (1859-1952) was a leader in the Progressive Era reform movement in education, and his writings on education are still considered influential to this day. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professor Wilfred McClay examines the life and writings of John Dewey, with a focus on Dewey?s work in education.
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1890s American Populist Movement
Professor Robert Johnston and his class examine the 1890s American Populist movement. The discussion centers on Charles Postel's book, "The Populist Vision," which follows the Populist movement from the rise of the Farmer's Alliance to its transformation into the People's Party. This class took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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19 Century U.S. Cities
In 19th century America, east coast port cities such as Boston, New York and Baltimore matured and grew in population and industry. With the building of railroads and the creation of canals that linked up waterways, westward expansion took hold, establishing new cities like St. Louis and Chicago. Professor Alan Lessoff of Illinois State University looks at the growth of U.S. cities in the 19th century.
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The 1824 & 1828 Presidential Elections
Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University discusses the 1824 and 1828 elections, which resulted in victories for John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson - respectively the sixth and seventh Presidents of the United States. According to Professor Watson, these two elections were among the most important - and scandalous - in American history.
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Development of American Politics
Professor Douglas Bradburn of Binghamton University in New York looks at the development of American politics in the 18th century. Professor Bradburn examines why Colonial America was unsuccessful in duplicating the British political system, and instead devised its own style of politics.
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Black Power Movement in the 1960s
Professor Howard Brick of the University of Michigan examines the Black Power Movement in the 1960s. While the Civil Rights Movement led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. sought equality through non-violent civil disobedience, an emerging Black Power Movement in the mid-1960s -- guided variously by Malcolm X, Stokley Carmichael and the leaders of the Black Panther Party -- sought change through black nationalism and separatism.
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The Great Migration
Stanford University professor Allyson Hobbs, a specialist in 20th century African American history, discusses the Great Migration, a period when millions of blacks moved from the South to areas North and West after 1910.
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Eugenics in Early 20th Century America
Professor Robert Rydell of Montana State University examines the history of eugenics in early 20th century America. Eugenics is a science that advocates improving the hereditary qualities of a race through controlled mating. Professor Rydell talks about some of the eugenics studies and experiments that took place in the U.S., as well as eugenics-based forced sterilization laws passed by several states that targeted the "feebleminded."
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"Gone with the Wind"
Professor Jeffrey McClurken evaluates the 1939 movie "Gone with the Wind," looking at it as a source on southern culture during the Civil War and Reconstruction, and reflective of the Depression era in which it was created. This class is from a course on "U.S. History in Film" at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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20th Century Sex Science & the Law
Judith Reisman discusses the cultural and legal impact of the work of Alfred Kinsey, the mid-20th century scientist best-known for his books, "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" and "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female." Ms. Reisman is a Visiting Law Professor at Liberty University, and a guest lecturer in this course called "Sexual Behavior and the Law."
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Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham, Alabama
University of Hartford professor Warren Goldstein discusses Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time spent in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Civil Rights movement there in 1963.
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Prisoners of War Held by the United States
Purdue University history professor Randy Roberts examines the connections between popular culture and World War II in films such as "Casablanca" and "The Fighting Seabees," and in songs such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B." Professor Roberts also describes how patriotic sentiments made their way into comic books like Captain America.
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Prisoners of War Held by the United States
Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio history professor Robert Doyle discusses Prisoners of War held by the United States. This class details the numbers and treatment of POWs from the American Revolution through Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Ronald Reagan's Political Campaigns
Craig Shirley - author of two books on Ronald Reagan - guest lectures at President Reagan's alma mater, Eureka College in Illinois. Mr Shirley discusses the career and political campaigns of the nation's 40th president and speaks with Reagan biographer, Lou Cannon, via telephone during the class.
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Conservation & the Progressive Era
College of William and Mary professor Andrew Fisher examines the first conservation effort in American history to protect forests from rampant logging and hydraulic mining. During the Progressive Era from 1901 through 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt worked with Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service, to set aside more than a hundred and fifty million acres of land to be under federal government control. This land was designated for National Parks and...
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British Debt & Stamp Act of 1765
University of Missouri history professor John Bullion discusses the debt incurred by the British government in fighting the Seven Years' War in the 1750s and 60s, and efforts to recoup some of that cost by taxing the American colonies - leading to the Stamp Act of 1765. That law required that some printed material in the colonies such as legal documents be on paper produced in England and have a revenue stamp.
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Remembering the Victims of 9/11
University of Michigan professor Jonathan Marwil examines how the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are remembered. The class discussion revolves around a photograph by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew of a man falling from the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
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British Occupation of Colonial Boston
University of Maryland professor Richard Bell looks at the British occupation of Colonial Boston. In October of 1768 a fleet of warships carrying British infantry regiments anchored in Boston harbor. The troops were sent to reassert Britain's control over the increasingly disloyal colony and to ensure that the correct amount of taxes were collected and sent to Britain.
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Stereotypes of African Americans
Nathan McCall examines the history behind stereotypes of African Americans. His talk spans from early depictions meant to dehumanize African Americans, which Mr. McCall argues helped slavery persist, through modern images in the media that show African Americans in negative light. This class took place at Emory University in Atlanta.
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Vietnam Veterans
History professor Meredith Lair examines the treatment of soldiers returning from the Vietnam War and looks at the accuracy of accounts of Vietnam Veterans being spat upon by anti-war activists. This class is from a course called "Legacies of the Vietnam War" and took place at George Mason University in Virginia.
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World War II
History professor Matthew O?Brien looks at the causes, major battles and repercussions of World War II. Professor O?Brien examines Hitler?s advance through Europe and Winston Churchill?s strategy to fight the Nazis. Also discussed are the failing of the Soviet Union?s non-aggression pact with Germany, and the eventual full participation of the United States in the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor. This class took place at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.
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World War II
History professor Gary Ostrower examines the origins of World War II and discusses the major battles, turning points and countries involved. Also detailed are the numbers of those killed in specific offensives and the types of tactics and weaponry used. This class took place at Alfred University in New York State.
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Idea of Southern Identity
History professor Vernon Burton discusses the Idea of Southern Identity. The class examines the history and culture of the American south from colonial times, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, to the 1960s civil rights era, and up to modern day. This class took place at Clemson University in South Carolina.
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Equal Rights Amendment
History professor Kirsten Swinth discusses the battle over the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and 80s. The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the U.S Constitution that would guarantee certain rights for women. It passed Congress but was not ratified by the required number of state legislatures. This class took place at Fordham University in New York City.
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CIA & Regime Change in the Cold War
Colorado School of Mines professor Kenneth Osgood looks at the CIA and regime change in the Cold War. Professor Osgood discusses several examples of the CIA?s involvement in covert regime change operations, including coups in Guatemala in 1954 and in Chile in 1973.
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Slavery, Secession & the Civil War
History professor Susan Schulten discusses the causes of America's Civil War, including President Abraham Lincoln's refusal to allow slavery to expand into new territories. Professor Schulten explains that President Lincoln refused to recognize the Confederacy as legitimate and viewed secession as illegal. This class took place at the University of Denver.
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Post-World War II Growth of Suburbs
History professor Andrew Morris discusses the unprecedented demand for affordable housing in the mid-1940s and 1950s created by returning World War II veterans, resulting in the dramatic growth of U.S. suburbs. Professor Morris explains that with the combination of the Great Depression and the rationing of materials for World War II, new homes were not being built in significant numbers. As thousands of veterans came home and started families - coupled with an economic upswing - the demand...
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Colonial Resistance Movement
History professor John Thomas Scott discusses the American colonial resistance movement that evolved into the American Revolution. Professor Scott examines the growing tensions between Britain and the American colonies in late 1760s and early 1770s, as Britain attempted to retain control of the colonies. This class took place at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
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Indian Removal From Southeastern United States
History professor Laurel Clark Shire looks at government policies towards Native Americans living in the southeastern United States from the late 1700s until the mid-1800s. She examines the factors that led to the removal of Indian tribes west to territories in what is today Oklahoma, and talks about how some tribes attempted to avoid removal by changing their culture to be more like that of white settlers. She also looks at armed resistance to removal by the Seminoles in Florida. This class...
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Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum Founder
Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the Eagle Forum and author or editor of 20 books, talks about the roots and development of the modern conservative movement, as well as the role of women's issues in conservative politics. She was a guest lecturer at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, in a course called, "The Conservative Intellectual Tradition in America," taught by Professor Mallory Factor.
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Emancipation & U.S. Colored Troops
History professor Roger Davidson discusses emancipation and U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. Professor Davidson explains how African Americans used the disorder caused by the Civil War to escape enslavement. He also details how former slaves offered their services to Union forces to help bring about the end of slavery. This class took place at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.
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President Richard Nixon & Civil Rights
Salisbury University history professor Dean Kotlowski looks at President Richard Nixon?s Civil Rights policies. Professor Kotlowski discusses the dichotomy of President Nixon?s conservative speeches and his liberal-leaning policies.
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Idea of Honor in the Antebellum South
Louisiana State University history professor William Cooper examines the idea of honor in the Antebellum South. Professor Cooper explains how a person's honor was significantly defined by public perception. And for a gentleman, any perceived slight of a person's honor demanded defense, usually through a duel.
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President Harry S. Truman & Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Professor Eliot Cohen examines the relationship between President Harry S. Truman and General Douglas MacArthur. In 1951, during the Korean War, President Truman relieved General MacArthur of his command. This class is from Johns Hopkins University?s School of Advanced International Studies.
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Socialism in America in the Early 20th Century
Columbia University history professor Eric Foner discusses the rise of Socialism in America in the early 20th century. Professor Foner examines the Socialist Party in New York City and Milwaukee and the Socialist Party of America presidential campaigns of Eugene V. Debs.
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Politics & Economics in the 1970s
History professor Judith Stein teaches a graduate-level seminar on politics and economics in the 1970s. In this class, Professor Stein examines the 1974 resignation of President Nixon and Jimmy Carter?s defeat of President Ford in the 1976 Presidential Election. Also discussed are President Carter?s attempts to deal with inflation and the energy crisis. The class took place at the City University of New York Graduate Center.
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William F. Buckley Jr. & Modern Conservatism
David Keene, President of the National Rifle Association, talks about the modern conservative political philosophy of William F. Buckley Jr. Mr. Buckley, who died in 2008, was the founder of National Review magazine. David Keene was a guest lecturer at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, in a course called "The Conservative Intellectual Tradition in America" taught by Professor Mallory Factor.
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Redistricting & Gerrymandering in the U.S.
Columbia Law School professor Nathaniel Persily looks at the history of Redistricting and Gerrymandering in the United States. Professor Persily discusses the origin of the term "gerrymandering" in the early 1800s, and the use of redistricting by political parties and incumbents to protect and advance their interests. He also talks about more racially charged redistricting fights, such as the 1960 Gomillion vs. Lightfoot Supreme Court case in which the court found that a district had been...
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African Americans & the Civil War
Harvard University professor John Stauffer discusses African Americans and the Civil War. Professor Stauffer examines Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, focusing on the president's claim that secession was unconstitutional. He also teaches about President Lincoln?s efforts to keep the border states in the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the involvement of black soldiers in both the Union and Confederate Armies.
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Alexis de Tocqueville & American Democracy
Michael Barone examines the writings and observations of the 19th-Century French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville, focusing on Tocqueville's conceptions of liberty, equality and community. Mr Barone is a guest lecturer at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, in a course called "The Conservative Intellectual Tradition in America" taught by Professor Mallory Factor.
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Emancipation & the Civil War
History Professor Chandra Manning looks at the Emancipation Proclamation and the escalation of the Civil War. Professor Manning examines how the inclusion of black soldiers helped deliver the Union victory. This class took place at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
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The Civil Rights Movement
University of Washington American History Professor Quintard Taylor looks at the Civil Rights Movement from the 1940s through the 1960s. Professor Taylor focuses on the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Brown v. Board of Education and the 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Civil Liberties & Treason During the Civil War
American Studies Professor Jonathan White looks at Civil Liberties and Treason during the Civil War. This class took place at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.
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Immigration and the Roots of Pluralism in the U.S.
History Professor James Connolly looks at Immigration and the Roots of Pluralism in the United States. This one hour fifteen minute class took place at Ball State University in Indiana.
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Early Atlantic Exploration
Northeastern History Professor William Fowler looks at early Atlantic exploration, Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the Caribbean and the Americas.
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New York City Skyscrapers and Public Buildings
Architectural historian Barry Lewis teaches a course on New York's architecture and urban planning at Cooper Union in New York City. In this week's class he looks at the buildings and the key figures who designed and financed the city's development and construction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Generalship of Robert E. Lee
U.S. Naval Academy History Professor Wayne Hsieh examines the Generalship of Robert E. Lee. This class is part of a course called, "The American Way of War." Also included in the broadcast is a re-air of Professor Hsieh's lecture on Union General U.S. Grant.
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Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant
U.S. Naval Academy History Professor Wayne Hsieh examines the Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant. This class is part of a course called, "The American Way of War."
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Donald Rumsfeld on The Bush Doctrine
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discusses "The Bush Doctrine, Compassionate Conservatism, and the War on Terror." Mr. Rumsfeld is a guest lecturer at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, in a course called "The Conservative Intellectual Tradition in America," taught by Citadel International Politics and American Government professor Mallory Factor.
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Edmund Burke & the Origins of Modern Conservatism
Attorney David Norcross lectures on Edmund Burke and the Origins of Modern Conservatism at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Norcross is a guest lecturer in a class called "The Conservative Intellectual Tradition in America," taught by Mallory Factor, an International Politics and American Government professor.
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Abolitionist & Women's Rights Movements in Early 19th...
Ohio State University history professor Joan Cashin looks at the Abolitionist and Women?s Rights movements and slavery in the early part of 19th century. This class is from a course on Jeffersonian and Jacksonian America.
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Urban America in the Mid-20th Century
Bowdoin College professor Brian Purnell examines urban America in the mid-twentieth century. The class is part of a course called, "The Wire: Race, Class, Gender,and the Urban Crisis," which covers the social, economic, political, and cultural dynamics of U.S. cities after World War II.
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1850s Collapse of the Second Party System
This program looks at the Compromise of 1850 and the collapse of the Second Party System with Gillis Harp, a professor at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. This class is part of a survey course called "History of the United States to 1865," which covers American history from the colonial era through the Civil War.
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North Vietnamese Strategy During the Vietnam War
Donald Stoker, a professor at the Naval War College in Monterey, California, teaches a course called "Strategy and War," which examines the relationship between political goals and the use of military force. This class is about North Vietnamese strategy during the Vietnam War.
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Lectures in History: Election of 1860 & Secession
University of Southern Mississippi professor Susannah Ural teaches a course on the history of the United States from its founding to 1877. In this lecture, Professor Ural focuses on the presidential election of 1860 and the secession of southern states.
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Lectures in History: Music of the Civil Rights Movement
University of Michigan history professor Kevin Gaines on the music of the civil rights and black power movement. Several songs and slides are featured during the class.
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Lectures in History: Franklin Roosevelt & the Modern...
Professor Allan Lichtman teaches a course on the modern American presidency. In this class he used slides as he lectured about President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This is the second of two parts of the lecture.
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Lectures in History: Timothy Orr, Old Dominion...
Old Dominion University professor Timothy Orr teaches a course on the Civil War and Reconstruction. In this lecture, he discusses how Union and Confederate forces handled prisoners of war, and takes a look conditions inside some Civil War prison camps. Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, Virginia.
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Lectures in History: Use of the "N-Word" in Literature...
Naugatuck Valley Community College professor William Foster teaches an English class in which students investigate relationships between literature and society. In this lecture, Professor Foster discusses the use of the ?N-Word? in American Literature and Culture, with a focus on Uncle Tom?s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Please note that some viewers may find language in this hour long program offensive.
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Lectures in History: Seven Years' War
University of Texas at Arlington professor David Narrett teaches a history course which examines early American history, emphasizing the conflicts between colonists and natives, the relationship between American freedom and slavery, and the growth of the British Empire in North America. In this class he lectured on the Seven Years War or the French and Indian War.
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