Presidencies of the United States

Presidencies of the United States

This podcast is devoted to exploring presidential history from the founding of the office in 1789 on through the present day. I plan to take a systematic approach to both the people and the events that have shaped and reshaped each administration and the office in general.

Episodes

April 20, 2025 49 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1817 As Madison prepared to hand off the presidency to James Monroe, numerous matters - both foreign and domestic - came to his desk. From revolutions in South America to internal improvement bills, the President continued to chart a course for his administration, even issuing a veto on his last full day in office, while other political leaders positioned themselves for a post-Madison political environment....
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Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1816 While Madison's administration in its latter days worked to secure peace with Native peoples in the Gulf South, General Andrew Jackson decided to act unilaterally in Florida against a fortified settlement of people seeking their freedom from enslavement. Meanwhile, a volcanic eruption in southeast Asia had climatic impacts on the eastern seaboard of the US while the nation prepared for its 8th presiden...
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Tenure of Office: November 25, 1814 - March 3, 1817 With the death of VP Elbridge Gerry, the Senate had to choose someone from their ranks who could preside over them so that they could carry out business for the next two and a half years. Luckily, they knew a guy who was already familiar with the view from the rostrum. Join us to learn more about John Gaillard of South Carolina's rise in politics and what he got up to in his leng...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1861-1871 Most of us were taught that the Civil War ended with Lee's surrender at Appomattox. However, as my special guest, Michael Vorenberg, points out, pinpointing the end of the War is not quite as simple as standard history accounts would have us believe, and there is much more insight and knowledge to be gained by exploring an expanded timeline and scope of the Civil War. More information can be found at h...
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March 9, 2025 32 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1816 In the aftermath of the War of 1812, the Madison administration is faced with multiple lingering issues. Looming large is how to support the recovery of the national economy, and Treasury Secretary Alexander J Dallas's proposed solution of a new national bank meets with determined opposition in Congress. Meanwhile, as the administration works to restore relations with Spain, the plans of American filib...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1809-1865 What seems at first glance to be a simple question - What is democracy? - is one that many have pondered over the ages. In my discussion with Allen C Guelzo on his new book, we explore how Abraham Lincoln approached that question, what influences led to the crafting of the concept of the "Lincolnian democracy," and what we can learn from this to carry forward into the present day. More information can ...
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February 23, 2025 66 mins
Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) With this episode, I and my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, finish our examination of William H Crawford's life and lengthy career of public service with his role in the Election of 1824 and his involvement in politics after leaving the Cabinet. Will Crawford earn a seat ...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1945-1953 Harry Truman is famous for asserting that "The Buck Stops Here," but as my special guest, John Robert "Bob" Greene, found in his research for his new book, this myth doesn't hold up to the reality of his administration's history. In our conversation, Bob and I discuss some of the unsavory characters working in the Truman White House, their connections to the mob, and the wheeling and dealing that led t...
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February 9, 2025 86 mins
Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) Joined by my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, we continue our journey through the life of William H Crawford, exploring his tenure as first head of the War Department then his longer tenure as Treasury Secretary. In addition to carrying out his official duties, we examine ...
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January 26, 2025 83 mins
Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) William H Crawford may be one of the most famous figures in US presidential history that folks only know one thing about - his role in the Election of 1824. However, with my special guest, Dr. Max from the Poor Historians Podcast, we learn that there is much more to his life and legacy than mee...
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January 19, 2025 40 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1814-1815 As the British and Americans handed back over land captured during the recent War, the US government was finally able to turn its attention to the situation with Algiers and the American sailors that had been held captive by them for years. Meanwhile, in Europe, Napoleon set into motion his triumphal return to power. Little did he know, however, just how quickly a new Allied Coalition would come togeth...
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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 history as well as how he came around...
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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.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about ...
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December 9, 2024 37 mins
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 government. Also in this episode, we re...
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December 1, 2024 81 mins
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 with much to discuss as we evaluated...
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November 23, 2024 96 mins
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 than a few things to say about the ne...
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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 look like. Enjoy! Learn more about...
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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 at https://www.presidenciespodcast....
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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
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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, and an FBI director named J Edgar...
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