Who do Americans venerate more—Abraham Lincoln or George Washington? In this President’s Day special,Mr. Hutchings History explores their leadership, legacies, and evolving reputations. Washington set the foundation for the U.S. presidency and resisted monarchy, while Lincoln preserved the Union and ended slavery. But how do different regions of the U.S. view them? How have historians reinterpreted their legacies over time?
Join us as we examine their decisions, hypothetical scenarios, pop culture depictions, and expert historian perspectives. Plus, we want to hear from YOU! Who do you think had a greater impact on America? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
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Works Cited
Chernow, Ron.Washington: A Life. Penguin Press, 2010.
Civil War, The. Produced and written by Ken Burns, narrated by David McCullough. PBS, 1990.
Doris Kearns Goodwin.Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Ellis, Joseph J.His Excellency: George Washington. Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.
Foner, Eric.The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W.W. Norton & Company, 2010.
Hofstadter, Richard.The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. Vintage Books, 1989.
John Adams. Performance by Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, and Tom Wilkinson, HBO, 2008.
Lincoln. Directed by Steven Spielberg, performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, DreamWorks Pictures, 2012.
McCullough, David.1776. Simon & Schuster, 2005.
McPherson, James M.Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press, 1988.
Wiencek, Henry.An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.
Wood, Gordon S.Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Wood, Gordon S.The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books, 1993.
Zinn, Howard.A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial, 2005.
Chapters
(0:00)Introduction – Who Shaped America More?
Comparing Washington and Lincoln’s impact.
(1:55)Washington’s Leadership
His role in founding and shaping governance.
(3:39)Rejecting Monarchy
Why Washington refused absolute power.
(5:13)Inspired by Cincinnatus
How a Roman leader influenced Washington.
(6:23)Society of the Cincinnati
Honoring Washington’s leadership.
(7:36)Washington’s Leadership Style
Balancing democracy with aristocracy.
(8:50)Washington and Slavery
His evolving views and final decision.
(9:37)Mount Vernon – Washington’s Home
Exploring his estate and legacy.
(12:52)Lincoln – The Great Emancipator
Leading through the Civil War.
(14:09)Lincoln and Civil War
His evolving stance on slavery.
(16:06)Lincoln’s Wartime Controversies
Suspension of habeas corpus.
(17:10)Intermission – Take a Break
(27:35)Lincoln’s Leadership in Crisis
Navigating deep national divisions.
(28:18)Lincoln’s Diplomacy
Preventing Britain and France from aiding the Confederacy.
(29:06)How Lincoln is Viewed Today
Perspectives from different U.S. regions.
(32:33)Public Opinion – Your Thoughts?
Debating Lincoln’s legacy.
(32:57)Lincoln’s Historic Sites
Key locations showcasing his life.
(35:04)Changing Views on Washington & Lincoln
Evolving interpretations of both.
(38:48)President’s Day – History & Evolution
From Washington’s Birthday to today.
(41:48)Why President’s Day Is on a Monday
Impact of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
(44:56)President’s Day & Commercialization
How sales reshaped the holiday.
(45:31)Final Debate – Washington or Lincoln?
Who had the bigger impact?
(46:07)Conclusion & Next Episode Preview
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