4th Period U.S. History

In this episode of 4th Period U.S. History, we dive headfirst into the amendments—the literal updates America installed to keep this democracy from crashing every few decades. We start with the Bill of Rights, the Founders’ desperate attempt to say, “Hey, government, please don’t be weird about power.” From free speech to due process, we lay out exactly what these protections are supposed to do—an...

In this episode of 4th Period U.S. History, we take a joyride through the Constitution—America’s favorite sacred text that most people quote more than they actually read. We walk through Articles 1–7, breaking down exactly what the Founders were trying to prevent (spoiler: everything happening right now). From the legislative branch’s power-shopping list to the executive’s “please don’t be a tyran...

In this episode, we plunge headfirst into the murky origin story of the so-called “First Thanksgiving,” which, shocker, was never the peaceful, kumbaya potluck the picture books promised us. We back up to the Brownist roots of the Pilgrims, trace their flight from England to Holland to the “New World,” and track the cheery stats—like how nearly half of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower didn’t su...

In this episode, we peel back the glossy Revolutionary War narrative and hand the mic to three voices who dared to ask the newborn United States the questions it definitely did not want to answer. Abigail Adams writes with the audacity to suggest that women—brace yourself—might deserve actual rights. Chickasaw leaders show up to Congress politely asking who the hell they’re supposed to talk to now...

In this episode, we step into the mud-soaked, threadbare shoes of Joseph Plumb Martin—a Revolutionary War soldier who basically lived the prototype version of “America loves its troops… in theory.” Through his eyes, we dive into the daily hellscape of the Continental Army: clothing that barely qualified as clothing, food that was more suggestion than sustenance, and a payment system that made “we’...

In this episode, we take a slow, dramatic stroll through the breakup letter of all breakup letters: the Declaration of Independence. We dive into the preamble—America’s “listen, I’ve been doing some thinking…” moment—where Jefferson and his committee basically lay out the thesis of human freedom like they’re writing the world’s most poetic “I deserve better” text message. From there, we unpack the...

In this episode, we pick up right where the muskets left off—Lexington and Concord. The “shots heard ’round the world” have just echoed, and the colonies are figuring out what the hell to do next. Enter the Second Continental Congress: a ragtag bunch of reluctant rebels trying to look like they know how to run a country while still technically being British subjects. Between debating who’s in char...

In this episode, we steep ourselves in the chaos that was the Boston Tea Party — the night the Sons of Liberty turned protest into performance art. We revisit the Tea Act of 1774, that sweet little scheme by Britain to save the East India Company from going belly-up while still squeezing every last tax penny from the colonies. Meanwhile, colonial smugglers were out here running an underground Dutc...

Grab your tricorne hats and your sense of irony, because this week we’re headed to Boston — 1770 style — where a snowball fight escalated into one of the most famous “oops, we may have commited a massacre” moments in American history.  It may well be the frist time we've done this, but certainly wont be the last time this type of goofemups happens.  We break down what led to the chaos, who threw w...

Between 1763 and 1776, nothing made colonists madder than a tax collector with a clipboard. In this episode, we dive into the wild world of the excise man—the poor British official whose only crime was trying to collect a little coin for King George and ended up wearing a fresh coat of tar and feathers for his efforts. We trace the roots of that famous rallying cry “no taxation without representat...

Ever wondered what happens when a bunch of tea-sipping colonists finally say, “You know what, screw this”? In this episode of 4th Period U.S. History, we dive into the four infamous acts that made the American colonies go full “it’s not you, it’s me” on Britain: the Sugar Act, the Quartering Act, the Townshend Act, and the Stamp Act. From being taxed on paper to being forced to house soldiers who...

After a three-year hiatus, your favorite irreverent history nerd is back and swinging harder than a British musket at dawn. In this comeback episode, we dive headfirst into the global chaos that was the Seven Years’ War—or as the colonists liked to call it, “The French and Indian War,” because apparently naming things accurately wasn’t their strong suit. We’ll unpack the messy reasons this conflic...

It’s been checks notes… three years since the last episode.  Holy Shit. But like a bad penny or a 90s R&B remix, I’m back—and what a time to come back. The world’s on fire (literally and figuratively). Bombs are flying, people are crying, politicians are lying, and somewhere, Texaco is still probably spilling. As Big Gay Al once said: “The whole world’s gone to hell—but how are you? Super! Tha...

Join this class OR die!!!! That's what Benjamin Franklin would say if he's your teacher! Thankfully, I am not Benny Franks! You wont die if you don't join, but you'll miss out on us threatening those pesky old world French that just seem to be in the way of everything the English want to do! Le French! Well Benjamin Franklin ain't having none of it! Today we look at the "plight" of the new budding...

We are building the foundations of what will become America and of course to do that we have to talk about one of the main ingredients......slavery. One part democracy, one part freedom, and one part slavery and you got yourself an American pie. In today's class we begin to classify the timeline of slavery in the colonies and how its acceptance would lay the foundation for what slavery and ultimat...

Hey! Class is back after a brief hiatus of your teacher being sick and having to go to a top secret underground facility for treatment, but thankfully I'm back and feel amazing, but do you all hear that strange audio clicking noise.......weird. Well anyways, ever wonder why the Brits came to the East coast? Ever wonder why they did not go further west to all that sweet sweet land out there, aside...

Today's class is not focused on Early American history but American History in general. This lecture series will work to honor those major events in American History that birthed new ideas, forged a bright way forward, or violently reshaped our futures. We begin with the tragic events of 9/11 and how those events unfolded for American citizens, including myself. It's a tough conversation today so...

We are finally there folks! It's all about that rebellion with Bacon I have been talking about. Have you ever been curious how slavery really got entrenched in America? You're smart and you learned that during the time of the English Colonies black land owners had servants and slaves so why did it all just go slavery? In today's class we will explore the "reasons" for Bacon's rebellion against the...

The foundations of the British are here. Jamestown and Roanoke are all cool places to live, but will probably kill you. During these early years before the Revolution of 1776 there were differing ways to makes sure that labor was done and the fields were planted. One costs something, the other just costs humans lives. Before we move forward we must define the difference between a servant and slave...

Welcome back to class y'all. If was good to see you all in the first class and have a chance to lay what what this class means. If you haven't turn tail and run yet that's great! Today's class is going to begin to set up the context and history for what will eventually become the United States of America. Rome was not built in a day and Americas sure were not the first people to make claim to the...

Welcome folks to a new school year and welcome to 4th Period U.S. History. Check your schedules and make sure that this is your correct class. If not, you might as well stay and learn something cool! This is a course covering early American History. This is the time from 1676-to 1930 and then some. This course does not shy away from facts, or those dark parts of history folks do not like to see. T...