Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1814
The Allied forces of Europe were drawing ever closer to the French capital in the early months of 1814, and the Emperor Napoleon had to consider what options remained for him and for his empir…
Year(s) Discussed: 1860-1861
Though the United States had experienced an election with four primary candidates before, the presidential election of 1860 was unique in that the candidates were based more on geographic regi…
Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1814
Within a few months' time, Andrew Jackson went from having a depleted force under his command to achieving one of the most decisive victories in his military career. In this episode, we explor…
Tenure of Office: February 10, 1814 - November 12, 1817 (as Attorney General); March 07, 1825 - March 05, 1829 (as Secretary of the Treasury)
In Part Two of this episode, Rush returned to the Cabinet as Secretary of the T…
Tenure of Office: February 10, 1814 - November 12, 1817 (as Attorney General); March 07, 1825 - March 05, 1829 (as Secretary of the Treasury)
As discussed in this two-part episode, while Richard Rush may not be the most w…
Year(s) Discussed: 1732-1989
Leadership is naturally one of the main topics that comes up when talking about US presidents, but it’s not always talked about with practical implications in mind. In this conversation with T…
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
As the War of 1812 moved into its second year, two American commanders on the northwestern frontier - William Henry Harrison and Oliver Hazard Perry - struggled against logistical challenges and po…
Year(s) Discussed: 1742-1814
Nathanael Greene served as one of Washington's top generals during the Revolutionary War, but what lasting legacy did this man whose life was cut tragically short leave for the Early Republic?…
Year(s) Discussed: 1800-1801
The election rematch between President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson in 1800 did not go quite according to plan thanks to the original method of electors casting ballots. In t…
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1805
Burr may only have served one term as Vice President, but as we discuss in this episode, it was a turbulent four years filled with political intrigue, power struggles, and a…
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1805
For the first Vice President whose life we are covering from start to end, Aaron Burr brings quite the tale to tell. From personal tragedy early in life to a meteoric rise i…
Year(s) Discussed: 1865-1877
The history of the Reconstruction era has in the past been deliberately misconstrued to downplay the achievements of Black Americans and the inhumanity of self-described white supremacists. In…
Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1813
After the failed campaign in Russia, French Emperor Napoleon had to regroup. And by regroup, I mean launch another war, of course. It soon became clear, though, that the tide was shifting, and…
Year(s) Discussed: 1824 and 1876
In the first of a special series of conversations about past US presidential elections, I am joined in this episode by Zachary DeBacco of Drinks with Great Minds in History to discuss the …
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
Tensions had been building between the Native inhabitants and the incoming American settlers in the Gulf South, and the year 1813 saw open hostilities which resulted in a joint operation planned by…
Tenure of Office: February 9, 1814 - October 5, 1814
The successor of Albert Gallatin as Secretary of the Treasury was always going to have big shoes to fill, but coming in while the nation was at war and with a nearly em…
Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815
Thanks to all of the listeners and social media followers who sent in their suggestions for a new name for the War of 1812! Listen to hear all of the suggestions and learn more about how we'll…
Year(s) Discussed: 1850-1924
US presidential history is filled with notable friendships and partnerships, and arguably one of the most impactful was that between President Theodore Roosevelt and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.…
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801
Though Thomas Jefferson's four years in the nation's second highest office doesn't always get as much attention as other points in his career, as my co-host Alex and I explo…
Year(s) Discussed: 1933-1945
The presidency of Franklin D Roosevelt was faced with major challenges in terms of the Great Depression and World War II, and over the years, many decisions had to be made in order to navigate…
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
The 1812 ground campaign in the north may have been a bust, but with a new year and a new Secretary of War in place, surely the invasion of Canada would go better in 1813, right? Meanwhile, Preside…
Tenure of Office: February 5, 1813 - September 27, 1814
When Armstrong assumed office in 1813, he found a War Department facing serious challenges. Would Madison's fifth choice for the post be the person who could turn th…
Tenure of Office: February 5, 1813 - September 27, 1814
Revolutionary War veteran, member of the Confederation Congress, US Senator, US Minister to France - certainly sounds like an illustrious career leading up to servic…
As a listener reminded me, if you do something twice, it becomes a tradition. This however is a tradition I think we can all enjoy. To mark the upcoming holiday season, for the second year in a row, I gathered for a lively c…
