The American Civil War Podcast

Today we look at the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and the hardening of Abolitionist response in turn. Plus, a closing look at the methods some used to escape slavery and the surprisingly small Underground Railroad movement. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

Join us to explore the seismic shift in American politics caused by the the territorial gains of the Mexican-American war. The all-too-short Taylor-Fillmore years will see slavery quickly brought to the forefront. But when Henry Clay tries to resolve the sectional dispute forever, will he unleash forces too powerful to contain again? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Join us for the wild history of the Kearny expedition, John C. Fremont, the dawn of American California, and the fate of the west. If you want a bizarre distillation of western adventure and folklore in one of the more exciting years in American history, you’ll get it in this one episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...

Today we watch General Winfield Scott plunge into a desperate battle for victory or death, from the Siege of Veracruz to the Halls of Montezuma. The machinations of President James K. Polk will rock the foundations of the Americas while General Santa Anna will struggle on after enduring defeat after defeat. But when the dust settles on the Mexican-American War, will it only set the stage for a far...

Join us to delve into the first campaign of the Mexican-American War, the hard-fought advance of General Zachary Taylor, and the political schemes that started the conflict. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

In Episode 9, an almost-forgotten politician named James Polk takes a surprisingly opportunity and becomes president almost by accident. We explore his actions to acquire the Oregon territory and domestic policies, with the brewing Mexican-American War coming up soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwa...

Join us today as we explore the twists of American identity and how Americans used or abused race as a concept. We finish with rise of John Tyler and the elevation of John C. Calhoun. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

Join as we explore as new-independent Mexico stands on the knife’s edge, and Texas breaks away into its own Republic. Featuring the glorious leader, the hero of Mexico, the Napoleon of the West, General de Santa Anna himself! Sure to go down in history as a triumphant commander and President. Also there’s some guy named Sam Houston, but probably nobody remembers him. This is a public episode. If y...

In this episode, we begin the long and cruel march towards to the Civil War in the conflicting politics of Washington D.C. and Charleston, South Carolina. A dispute over tax rates will result in a new, destructive ideology of slavery and power and the terrible feud of state versus nation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...

We dive into the people of the United States in the years leading up to the Civil War. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

Today we explore the world of industrial development and growth, stepping into some of the surprising and sudden economic twists in our narrative. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

Explore how changing technology shattered old limitations - and altered the very nature of American society in the process. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

In this episode we explore the development and practice of slavery in the United States, from colonization to institutionalization. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com

Welcome to the American Civil War Podcast. In this introductory episode I will ramble aimlessly about of a variety of topics, to try explaining why anyone would write and record a podcast about that time our country tried to rip itself in half. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uscivilwar.substack.com