What if The Hartford Convention of 1814 Had Succeeded? And Other War of 1812 Thoughts That Didn’t Make the Episode – Now Available For Patreon Subscribers

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Patreon supporters can access this extra episode where we break down the demands of the New England convention opposing The War of 1812. What if their demands were met, what would American life have looked like? This and British newspaper reaction to the War of 1812. SIGN UP…

A History of a History – Ken Burns “The Civil War”

In 1990, a significant TV event happened as PBS stole ratings from major networks. The event was a ground-breaking documentary of what is possibly the most important event in American history, one that cut through the Gone-with-the-Wind and glorified type images that had been in movies up to that date. Still the documentary used new…

Like the Visions of a Fever: America in Pre-War 1941

A look at pre-war America, 1941, the passage of Lend-Lease, and the sinking of four ships in the Atlantic. Robin Moor, Greer, Kearny and Ruben James, each inflicting a body blow but not yet producing war. As Americans waited for war in one ocean, war came in another. We are part of Airwave Media Network…

The Underrated Patrick Henry

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” When Henry said it, he might have been committing treason. Yet the words also made him famous and indicated his superior bravery and patriotism to his country. The trouble is, this phrase is often all he’s remembered for. Those words were spoken before the Revolution, and tend to downplay Henry’s…

So, There Was No Smoke-Filled Room After All? And Other Presidential Election Stories

It’s the classic story of the 1920 election, but it’s probably not true, not in the way it’s told at least – that Warren Harding was chosen in a smoke-filled room. Sure, there was probably smoking in a Chicago hotel room in 1920, somewhere. Sure, there was some Presidential -picking chatter going on. But the…

What’s Going on Across the Pond w/ Steve Byrne of What Am Politics Podcast

Lockdown drinks, Partygates, Boris, Brexit, Ukraine, Keir Starmer’s wanting and Eurovision: An update on UK, Irish and Northern Ireland politics with Steve Byrne, formerly of What Am Politics Podcast (recently stopped but still with a huge archive –https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/what-am-politics/id1200345868?mt=2) We talk about where things stand in British politics and Bruce and Steve agree with what’s likely…

Politics and Margarine

When America’s politicians were scared of a edible spread. When James Blaine and Roscoe Conkling first squared off, setting in motion a political rivalry for the ages. And ranking the Secretaries of State. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network Advertise on this podcast: sales@advertisecast.com Support us on Patrion – patreon.com/mhcbuyp

In The Arena – Adlai Stevenson and Other Losing Candidates w/ Peter Shea

We talk about Adlai Stevenson, a candidate with a critical flaw and operating in a tough political environment, and the other people who have sought the Presidency but lost. Our guest is Peter Shea, author of In The Arena, His book looks not only at candidates, but at the memorials that have been made to…

Didn’t Mean to Start a Country: First Congress, 1774

We think about the American Revolution beginning in 1776. Yet the events of 1774 are very important to understanding. Before we discuss that 1776 Continental Congress that assigned Jefferson the task to write a Declaration and then, with the help of his pen, officially broke off relations with Britain, we should study the first Continental…

The Man Who Saved Biden, and Other Stories

Maybe, just maybe, a quick scheduling decision by an overworked and now obscure VP candidate in the 1970’s changed politics in 2022. The current President thinks so. This, and a Reagan Ford ticket? How would that have worked? Lincoln appoints a judge, and other stories. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network Advertise on…

Ukraine and History w/ Ben Sawyer of Middle Tennessee State and “The Road to Now” Podcast

Where and when did Ukraine begin? What role did the Rus, the Cossacks, the post Tsarists and the Soviets play? What is Putin’s motive and what his seriously questionable historical justification? Why should we not say “The Ukraine” in discussions? How does nationalism play into world politics, and what place does it have in the…

Millions Fall: The Destruction of Trees During the Civil War

An army moves on its stomach, the saying goes. But a 19th century army also moved on its wood. A look at the environmental impact of the Civil War, particularly on forests. Millions of trees were needed for the conflict, to provide very temporary housing, roads, bridges, and fuel. They could stop cavalry charges, pretend…