The objective of the course is to provide a clear and detailed knowledge of the events and historical processes related to the history of the United States in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, starting from independence in 1776 until the present day. It is an elective course, oriented to provide training to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and adequate understanding of the main historical processes that have occurred in the United States. It is taught in the second quarter of the 3rd or 4th course.

1.Understanding in a reasoned manner and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the evolution of American society throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, in the different political, social, economic, cultural aspects, etc. The aim is also to be able to identify the main historical processes that have shaped the United States in those centuries.

2. To identify the different historiographic approaches to these processes on the basis of an updated bibliography, trying to assess the most relevant historiographic interpretations in relation to American history.

3. To be able to read and analyze sources related to the historical evolution of the United States throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

4. Learn to pose and analyze, in writing or orally, a specific historical problem related to the subject, using the appropriate terminology and demonstrating ability to handle primary and secondary sources.



In short, it is expected that by the end of the course each student will know the content of the subject. In addition to this specific learning outcome, attention will be paid to cross-curricular learning outcomes, especially oral and written expression.

1. The Independence Revolution and the United States Constitution.

2. Republicanism, continental expansion and Civil War.

3. The birth of a world power.

4. Progressism, economic crisis and world wars.

5. The United States in the bipolar world.

6. The United States today.

According to the types of teaching, the course is developed in 60 hours of face-to-face teaching and 90 hours of non-face-to-face activity are required by the students.

The 40 hours of classroom teaching (M) are dedicated to the explanation by the teacher of the fundamental contents of the course.

The 20 hours of classroom teaching dedicated to classroom practices (GA) will be applied to analysis and commentary of films, historical documents and historiographic texts in different media and oral presentations by students, if necessary, from the work previously done. These practices require prior preparatory work by students according to the materials and guidelines provided by the teacher directly in the classroom and/or through the eGela platform.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 70
  • Individual works (%): 30

The evaluation system of this course is continuous. The essay to be developed represents 30% of the final grade; the remaining 70% of the grade can be obtained through regular class attendance, the completion of practices and the presentation of work, readings, etc., orally or in writing. In the ordinary call the Individual Work will be presented orally in class and in writing on the established day of the exam, through the eGela platform. Regarding the use of materials, the provisions of the Protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in evaluation tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU will be applied.

In accordance with the provisions of the UPV/EHU regulations, students may waive the call up to one month before the end of the teaching period of the subject. This waiver must be submitted in writing to the lecturer in charge of the subject.

In addition, the student who, in application of the current regulations, wishes to opt for the final evaluation instead of following the continuous evaluation, must communicate it in writing to the professor within 9 weeks from the beginning of the course. This student who has waived the continuous evaluation within the 9-week period, if he/she does not take the final exam or test, he/she will have the grade of Not Presented, even if he/she has not waived the exam one month before the end of the teaching period.

For those who choose the final evaluation, this will consist of a test on the whole syllabus, consisting of a written exam and a practical test that is evaluated together with the exam.

The evaluation of the course in the extraordinary call will be carried out exclusively through the final evaluation system.

The final evaluation test consists of a written comprehensive exam, and may be complemented with an additional practical test for those who have not followed the continuous evaluation system. Those who have followed the continuous evaluation system, but have failed the final exam of the ordinary call or have not taken it (prior written waiver), may keep their grades of the evaluable practices of the course in the extraordinary call, as provided for in the regulations. The final exam, in this case, will consist of a written exam of the whole syllabus. In the extraordinary call, the student's non-presentation will result in a grade of Not Presented.

They will be delivered through the eGela platform.

Basic bibliography

- Bosch, Aurora, Historia de los Estados Unidos, 1776-1945, Madrid, Crítica, 2004.

- Guardia Herrero, Carmen de la: Proceso político y elecciones en Estados Unidos, Madrid, Eudema, 1992.

- Guardia Herrero, Carmen de la: Historia de Estados Unidos, Madrid, Sílex, 2009.

- Guardia Herrero, Carmen de la: La construcción del sueño americano (Estados Unidos, 1929-2018), Madrid, Síntesis, 2019.

- Jenkins, Philip, Breve Historia de Estados Unidos, Madrid, Alianza, 2019 (5ª ed.).

- Jones, Maldwyn A., Historia de Estados Unidos, 1607-1992, Madrid, Cátedra, 1996.

In-depth bibliography

- Ablanedo, Emilio: Confederación. Los Estados Confederados de América y la Guerra Civil (1861-1865), Madrid, Actas, 2021.
- Alsop, Joseph: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Madrid, Torres de Papel, 2015.
- Athans, Philip: La era Obama, Barcelona, Pasado y Presente, 2011.
- Bailyn, B.: Los orígenes ideológicos de la Revolución norteamericana, Madrid, Tecnos, 2012.
- Banks, Rusell: Soñando América, Barcelona, Eds. B, 2008.
- Barberá, Rafael; Benedicto, Miguel Ángel: Estados Unidos 3.0. La era Obama vista desde España, Madrid, Plaza y Valdés, 2013.
- Black, Gregory D.: La cruzada contra el cine (1940-1975), Madrid, Cambridge University Press, 1999.
- Chomsky, Noam: Repensando Camelot. John F. Kennedy, la Guerra de Vietnam y la cultura política de Estados Unidos, Madrid, Libertarias/Prodhufi, 1994.
- Cozzens, Peter: La tierra llora. La amarga historia de las guerras indias por la conquista del Oeste, Madrid, Desperta Ferro, 2017.
- Crespo Palomares, Cristina (ed.): Vote for America. Cómo entender las elecciones en Estados Unidos, Madrid, Catarata, 2022.
- Donovan, F., Historia de la Doctrina Monroe, México, 1966.
- Espasa de la Fuente, Andreu: Historia del New Deal. Conflicto y reforma durante la Gran Depresión, Madrid, Catarata, 2020.
- Faust, Drew G.: Esta República del sufrimiento. Morir y matar en una guerra civil, Madrid, Desperta Ferro, 2023.
- Headley, Joel T.: Los grandes disturbios de Nueva York. Violencia urbana en la Gran Manzana entre 1712 y 1873, Pamplona, Hécate, 2014.

Web addresses

- Digital History. Recursos digitales para el estudio de la Historia de los Estados Unidos: https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/
- Archivos Nacionales (Washington): https://www.archives.gov/
- Gobierno de los Estados Unidos: https://www.usa.gov/
- Biblioteca del Congreso de los Estados Unidos: https://www.loc.gov/
- Biblioteca del Congreso de los Estados Unidos. Veterans History Project Collection: https://www.loc.gov/collections/veterans-history-project-collection/serving-our-voices/
- Biblioteca de la CIA: https://www.cia.gov/legacy/headquarters/cia-library/
- Colecciones digitalizadas de la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/
- Library of America: https://www.loa.org/
- PBS Learning Media. Recursos didácticos interactivos para el estudio de la Historia de los Estados Unidos: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/social-studies/us-history/