In the mid-20th century, it was fashionable for historians to speak of a “Blundering Generation” of pre-Civil War politicians, people who—well intended or not—made a long series of foolish and short-sighted mistakes. They made blunders that make for wonderfully detailed political histories “from below,” as it were, but what appear to be mistakes were often intentional, and what appear to be great men were often just the schemers whose plans succeeded in the end.

Who is the worst politician to come out of Illinois? Who were the “F Street Mess”? What happened to the Whig party between 1852 and 1856? Who were the first Republicans? Was the Civil War avoidable?

Further Reading:

Stephen A. Douglas: A Featured Biography

Stephen A. Douglas, History Channel

What Can the Collapse of the Whig Party Tell Us About Today’s Politics?, Smithsonian Magazine

Music by Kai Engel

Related Content:

Whiggery’s Last Gasp, Liberty Chronicles Episode

Was Frederick Douglass a Libertarian?, Liberty Chronicles Episosde

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.