Westward Expansion. The Growth of the United States in the 19th Century

21.4.2025

An open guest lecture “Westward Expansion. The Growth of the United States in the 19th Century” was held by historian and lecturer Bill Parsons (USA).

As part of the academic component “History of Western European and American Countries”, an open lecture by American historian and lecturer Bill Parsons was held at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Sciences of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University. The topic of the lecture was “Westward Expansion. The Growth of the United States in the 19th Century.”

The event gathered a diverse audience of students from various specializations. In addition to history students at all levels, participants included students majoring in:

• 014 Secondary Education (History and Civic Education),

• 032 History and Archaeology,

• 052 Political Science,

• 291 International Relations, Public Communications and Regional Studies,

• 054 Sociology.

Faculty members from various departments of the Institute also actively participated in the event, underlining the interdisciplinary relevance of the lecture topic.

Mr. Parsons, who already has experience teaching students at Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, covered the key aspects of U.S. westward expansion in the 19th century. His lecture focused on such significant historical events as the Louisiana Purchase, the Indian Removal Act, the Annexation of Texas, and the Mexican-American War. He gave particular attention to the social consequences of these events, including the spread of slavery, genocide of Indigenous peoples, and the destruction of traditional cultures and institutions.

Throughout the lecture, participants were not only attentive listeners but also displayed genuine interest. They actively asked questions, initiated discussions, and drew comparisons between historical events and current processes of global development. The lively dialogue reflected the high level of engagement and confirmed the importance of such intercultural educational initiatives in today’s academic environment.

The involvement of specialists from leading American universities in the educational process is of great significance for the development of international academic cooperation in Ukraine’s higher education sector. Direct engagement with foreign lecturers allows students to become familiar with the methodological tools of Western historiography and to strengthen their intercultural communication skills.

Educational and Research Institute of Social and Humanitarian Sciences