In The West Wing

In this episode we explore the turbulent presidency of Andrew Johnson, with the beginnings of reconstruction, a bitter feud with congressional Republicans, and the first Presidential impeachment.

In this episode we complete a two part series on the history of the American Civil War. With the dramatic battle of Gettysburg,we explore the effort to end slavery, Lincoln’s difficult journey to reelection, and the eventual victory of the Union.
Disclaimer: this episode contains discussion of racially motivated hate crimes and violence against children, listener discretion is advised

In this episode we begin a two part series on the history of the American Civil War. With hostilities at the battle of Fort Sumter, we explore the interpersonal squabbles of Union high command, the enactment of a Republican economic agenda, and the emancipation of millions of enslaved Americans.

In this episode, we explore the chaotic presidential election of 1860 between Lincoln, Douglas, Breckenridge, and Bell. After decades of building tension, an explosive rift within the Democratic party would allow the first Republican to win the Presidency.

In this episode, we explore the turbulent presidencies of Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, and Buchanan, the rising tensions over slavery, the birth of the Republican party, and one man’s abolitionist crusade against slavery.

In this episode, we explore the fateful presidency of James K. Polk and the largest single expansion of American territory in the Mexican American war. In only four years Young Hickory asserted the United States manifest destiny, and achieved all of his campaign promises.

In this episode, we explore the meteoric rise and fall of Martin Van Buren, and the rise of legitimate opposition from the new Whig party. With William Henry Harrison becoming the first President to die in office, the nature of presidential succession would finally be settled for good or worse by John Tyler.

In this episode we explore the rise of Jacksonian populism and the beginnings of the Democratic party.

In this episode we examine the period known as the Era of Good Feelings, the events of James Monroe’s presidency, and the chaos of the election of 1824. The collapse of the Federalist party as a legitimate opposition party, the political monopoly of the Democratic-Republican party would come to sow the seeds of Jacksonian populism and the second American party system.

In this episode we examine the war of 1812, and the war of Tecumseh’s confederacy and the differences in the United States’ role in both conflicts. The two wars both represent a war of national pride, and a reassertion of freedom from an overbearing colonial empire. While the war of 1812 represented a minor footnote in the progression of American nationhood, America’s war against Tecumseh’s confederacy would have apocalyptic consequences for the indigenous peoples of the great lakes.