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 17, 2024 • 103 mins
Tenure of Office: February 10, 1814 - November 12, 1817 (as Attorney General); March 07, 1825 - March 05, 1829 (as Secretary of the Treasury)
As discussed in this two-part episode, while Richard Rush may not be the most well-known Cabinet member we've examined to date, his career spanning four decades meant that he was involved with some major events in US presidential and world history from the War of 1812 on. Join me and my speci...
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April 7, 2024 • 64 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1732-1989
Leadership is naturally one of the main topics that comes up when talking about US presidents, but it’s not always talked about with practical implications in mind. In this conversation with Talmage Boston about his latest book, we discuss the insights that he found during the course of his research about the leadership traits exemplified by eight presidents who often show up at the top of the president...
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March 31, 2024 • 31 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
As the War of 1812 moved into its second year, two American commanders on the northwestern frontier - William Henry Harrison and Oliver Hazard Perry - struggled against logistical challenges and political infighting to assemble their respective forces in order to finally accomplish what had been a goal of the US since war was declared on Britain in 1812: take the fight to the British in Canada. Sources used ...
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March 24, 2024 • 34 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1742-1814
Nathanael Greene served as one of Washington's top generals during the Revolutionary War, but what lasting legacy did this man whose life was cut tragically short leave for the Early Republic? In this episode, I am joined by historical fiction author Salina B Baker to discuss her new novel about Greene and her research into his life and contributions to the new nation crafted from the Revolution. More i...
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March 10, 2024 • 56 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1800-1801
The election rematch between President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson in 1800 did not go quite according to plan thanks to the original method of electors casting ballots. In this episode, I am joined by friend and fellow podcaster, Howard Dorre from Plodding Through the Presidents, to discuss the ins and outs of that complicated election that devolved into a constitutional crisis and wh...
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March 3, 2024 • 138 mins
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1805
Burr may only have served one term as Vice President, but as we discuss in this episode, it was a turbulent four years filled with political intrigue, power struggles, and a rather infamous duel. The drama would not end when Burr left office, however, as his post-vice presidency years had conspiracies and exile in store for him. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://ww...
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February 25, 2024 • 122 mins
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1805
For the first Vice President whose life we are covering from start to end, Aaron Burr brings quite the tale to tell. From personal tragedy early in life to a meteoric rise in politics, from distinguished instances of military service to a romantic relationship with a married woman, there is much to discuss leading up to the constitutional crisis that was the Election of 1800. Sources ...
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February 18, 2024 • 71 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1865-1877
The history of the Reconstruction era has in the past been deliberately misconstrued to downplay the achievements of Black Americans and the inhumanity of self-described white supremacists. In his latest work, Fergus Bordewich dispels the myths and explores the history of how the Grant administration worked to combat the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan in order to save Reconstruction. Listen in to our con...
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February 12, 2024 • 36 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1813
After the failed campaign in Russia, French Emperor Napoleon had to regroup. And by regroup, I mean launch another war, of course. It soon became clear, though, that the tide was shifting, and instead of a war of conquest, Napoleon was now fighting for the survival of his regime. Meanwhile, the Republic of Texas was proclaimed, but neither Spanish nor American authorities were too pleased about this dev...
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February 4, 2024 • 68 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1824 and 1876
In the first of a special series of conversations about past US presidential elections, I am joined in this episode by Zachary DeBacco of Drinks with Great Minds in History to discuss the two "corrupt bargain" elections of 1824 and 1876. In addition to the ins and outs of these elections, we also compare and contrast the two in terms of why they were labeled corrupt, the implications of each electio...
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January 28, 2024 • 42 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
Tensions had been building between the Native inhabitants and the incoming American settlers in the Gulf South, and the year 1813 saw open hostilities which resulted in a joint operation planned by the US federal government and state and territorial governments in the area. However, the generals assigned to military operations against the Mvskoke would find that that victory wasn't as easy of a prospect as t...
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January 21, 2024 • 116 mins
Tenure of Office: February 9, 1814 - October 5, 1814
The successor of Albert Gallatin as Secretary of the Treasury was always going to have big shoes to fill, but coming in while the nation was at war and with a nearly empty treasury, George Campbell of Tennessee had quite a challenge ahead of him from day one. Join me and my special guest, Kenny Ryan of [Abridged] Presidential Histories, as we explore Campbell's life and career an...
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January 10, 2024 • 8 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815
Thanks to all of the listeners and social media followers who sent in their suggestions for a new name for the War of 1812! Listen to hear all of the suggestions and learn more about how we'll choose what should be the new name for this conflict that has been a major focus of the Madison presidency series.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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January 7, 2024 • 84 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1850-1924
US presidential history is filled with notable friendships and partnerships, and arguably one of the most impactful was that between President Theodore Roosevelt and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. In this episode, I am joined by Laurence Jurdem, author of The Rough Rider and the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History, to discuss these two fascinati...
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December 24, 2023 • 123 mins
Tenure of Office: March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801
Though Thomas Jefferson's four years in the nation's second highest office doesn't always get as much attention as other points in his career, as my co-host Alex and I explored in this episode, the man from Monticello was doing more than twiddling his thumbs while presiding over the Senate. However, we'll have to see if his actions during this tenure earn him a place among the VP All-...
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December 17, 2023 • 63 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1933-1945
The presidency of Franklin D Roosevelt was faced with major challenges in terms of the Great Depression and World War II, and over the years, many decisions had to be made in order to navigate the political waters of the time with some involving questionable methods and solutions. In this episode, I am joined by David T Beito to discuss his research on FDR's tenure of office and how administration offic...
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December 13, 2023 • 31 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1813
The 1812 ground campaign in the north may have been a bust, but with a new year and a new Secretary of War in place, surely the invasion of Canada would go better in 1813, right? Meanwhile, President Madison had to deal with trying to work with a contentious Congress as well as a bout of ill health that started to lead folks to pulling out the order of presidential succession, especially when Vice President ...
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December 10, 2023 • 91 mins
Tenure of Office: February 5, 1813 - September 27, 1814
When Armstrong assumed office in 1813, he found a War Department facing serious challenges. Would Madison's fifth choice for the post be the person who could turn the American war effort around? Join me and my special guests, Eric and Matt from the Ranking '76 Podcast, as we explore Armstrong's Cabinet tenure as well as his later life and determine whether the legacy that he l...
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November 30, 2023 • 101 mins
Tenure of Office: February 5, 1813 - September 27, 1814
Revolutionary War veteran, member of the Confederation Congress, US Senator, US Minister to France - certainly sounds like an illustrious career leading up to service in the President's Cabinet, but as I explore with my special guests, Eric and Matt of the Ranking '76 Podcast, there's more to this career than meets the eye. If you're into political intrigue, diplomatic drama, ...
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November 20, 2023 • 58 mins
As a listener reminded me, if you do something twice, it becomes a tradition. This however is a tradition I think we can all enjoy. To mark the upcoming holiday season, for the second year in a row, I gathered for a lively conversation and some laughs in our Friendsgiving spectacular with Alycia from Civics & Coffee, Kenny Ryan from [Abridged] Presidential Histories, and Howard Dorre from Plodding Through the Presidents. Enjoy!
Lea...
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