Presidencies of the United States

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-1963 In this episode, I am joined by Nathan Raab, the nation’s leading dealer in important historical documents, and we discuss his work and how he developed the skills necessary to assess the value and the authenticity of documents and other historical artifacts. He also shares with us some of his stories from his search for the physical artifacts of American and world his...

Year(s) Discussed: 1962-1963 In memory of the late Jimmy Carter, this episode examines his first foray into the political realm with his 1962 run for the Georgia State Senate. In a time of political and social change, Carter took the opportunity to serve the public, but he would face many challenges on his path to electoral victory. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.preside...

Year(s) Discussed: 1814-1815 In the latter days of the War of 1812, President Madison had to rebuild a shattered administration and a decimated capital city while still working to bring the military conflict to a resolution. Meanwhile, in New England, the British took control of a large portion of Maine, and Federalists agitated against what they saw as a tyrannical Southern-dominated federal gove...

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1813 - November 23, 1814 Despite being elected to the First Congress under the Constitution, Elbridge Gerry would hit some rocky patches in his career of public service after 1789. Still, the twists and turns that led him on a diplomatic mission to France, a couple of terms as governor of Massachusetts, and finally to presiding over the Senate as Vice President left us w...

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1813 - November 23, 1814 Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts quickly rose to become one of the key leaders in Congress during the American Revolution and the war's aftermath. However, as Alex and I explore in this episode, when it came time for the Constitutional Convention, Gerry would have more th...

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, I pick up my annual tradition of gathering with fellow podcasters Alycia from Civics & Coffee, Kenny Ryan from [Abridged] Presidential Histories, and Howard Dorre from Plodding Through the Presidents to talk about history, podcasting, what we're thankful for, and what a mystery novel featuring presidents at a secluded mansion for the weekend might...

Year(s) Discussed: 1790-1863 In this episode, I am joined by historian Jordan Cash to discuss two pivotal figures in the push for Texas annexation: Sam Houston and John Tyler. Each dealt with unique challenges in their respective roles as president to get the Americans and Texians to agree to the Lone Star Republic becoming the 28th state of the Union. More information can be found on the website...

As election day draws closer in the United States, I wanted to share a few thoughts in light of what's been an interesting campaign season to say the least and reflections on the future. For our American listeners, if you haven't already, please go vote! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1807-present In this episode, I am joined by the Presidential Grave Hunter himself, Kurt Deion of the Congressional Cemetery to learn more about the history behind the site known as DC's greatest undertaking. Kurt shares stories about some of the famous (and infamous) permanent residents there, a list which includes congressional members, Supreme Court justices, a vice president...

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815 After failing to take Baltimore, the British turn their attention to the Gulf South in an attempt to land another blow to the Americans before the work of the peace commissioners brought the war to an end. However, they would find General Andrew Jackson ready to defend New Orleans with a diverse group of folks including veterans of the Creek War, free men of color, nat...

Tenure of Office: January 16, 1815 - September 30, 1818 A merchant from Massachusetts, Benjamin Crowninshield assumed office as Secretary of the Navy in the latter days of the War of 1812. Join me and my special guest, April from the Door Key Podcast, as we explore the life and career of this member of the Madison and Monroe administrations and determine whether his legacy earns him a seat at the...

Year(s) Discussed: 1814 In the aftermath of the burning of Washington, DC, the Madison administration hardly had time to pick up the pieces before they had to turn their attention to a new British invasion of Baltimore. Meanwhile, the American negotiators in Europe worked to find a path to peace with their British counterparts, and General Andrew Jackson shifted his focus to the defense of Mobile....

As an extra bonus to our special episode discussing the post-presidencies of the Early Republic, check out an episode of guest Peter Zablocki's podcast, History Shorts, where he interviews the podcasting legend himself, Dan Carlin. Peter and Dan discuss the inspiration behind their appreciation for the study of history, how the discipline has evolved over the years, and how podcasts present a uniq...

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1836 When he left office after his second term, George Washington had one more precedent to set: namely, what exactly did a president do once they were no longer president? In this episode, I am joined by Peter Zablocki, host of the History Shorts podcast, to discuss the post-presidencies of the Early Republic. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcas...

Tenure of Office: April 24, 1812 - March 3, 1813 What happens when a Vice President dies? Prior to the 25th Amendment, that meant that a President Pro Tempore (or "for the time being") was chosen to preside over the Senate until the next election. After the death of George Clinton in 1812, the person chosen for that position was William H Crawford of Georgia. Join us as we learn more about what it...

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816 When Alexander J Dallas assumed office as Secretary of the Treasury, the federal government was nearly bankrupt. With my special guests, Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast, we explore Dallas's tenure at Treasury and his efforts to improve the nation's finances and economy in the aftermath of the War of 1812 then determine whether Dall...

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816 In this episode, I am joined by Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast to discuss a lesser known yet quite influential Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander J Dallas of Pennsylvania. Join us as we discuss his early life and career which led him to become one of the leading figures in Pennsylvania politics in the Early Republic. Sources use...

Year(s) Discussed: 1904-1944 They happen every four years, but how much do you know about the history of presidential nominating conventions in the US? In this episode, I am joined by Stan Haynes to discuss his research into the history of nominating conventions in the first few decades of the 20th century. Beyond just the fascinating historical figures at play in the politics of the time, the cha...

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1801 The presidency of John Adams often gets overshadowed by those of his predecessor and successor, but as highlighted in Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky's latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, the four years that Adams was in office were pivotal ones for establishing the office of the presidency as well as the nation as a whole...

Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1814 President Madison and his administration learned that the British were sending seasoned veterans of the Napoleonic Wars to fight American forces in the north as the new commander of the British North American fleet issued orders designed to attack the United States economically and militarily. The time of small raids on coastal communities was at an end. In August 1814...

Year(s) Discussed: 1908-1921 Four candidates. Forty-eight states. Only one can come out on top with at least 266 electoral votes needed to win. To discuss the knock down, drag out brawl that was 1912, I am joined by Joseph Pascone of the Turning Tides Podcast to go through the ins and outs of this impactful election and the elements of modern US presidential elections that start to make their appe...

While I typically try to avoid talk of current events on the podcast, the events of July 13th, 2024 did necessitate a delay in the release of the next episode, and I wanted to offer support and thoughts in the face of this latest example of violence in American politics along with some historical context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815 As the second year of the war against Britain wrapped up, the Madison administration found that little progress had been made. The invasion of Canada had stalled, and merchants in New England were undermining the war effort by continuing to trade with the British. Meanwhile, a new commander of the British North American squadron made plans to put greater pressure on th...

Year(s) Discussed: 1781-1815 The early republic was a tumultuous time for the United States both domestically and in the realm of diplomacy, and one man who rather consistently found himself at the center of its all in the nation's first few decades was James Madison. In my discussion with Tyson Reeder about his new book, Serpent in Eden: Foreign Meddling and Partisan Politics in James Madison's A...

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1805 - April 20, 1812 After coming out of retirement for one more term as governor of New York, George Clinton went on to become Jefferson's vice president. Find out how he became the first of only two VPs to date to serve under two different presidents and why he didn't necessarily see that as a good thing by listening to this episode. Sources used for this episode can...