Tenure of Office: January 16, 1815 - September 30, 1818

A merchant from Massachusetts, Benjamin Crowninshield assumed office as Secretary of the Navy in the latter days of the War of 1812. Join me and my special guest, April from the Door Key Podcast, as we explore the life and career of this member of the Madison and Monroe administrations and determine whether his legacy earns him a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Note: There is a discussion of a potential non-consensual sexual encounter around the 31 minute mark to around the 36 minute mark.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1814

In the aftermath of the burning of Washington, DC, the Madison administration hardly had time to pick up the pieces before they had to turn their attention to a new British invasion of Baltimore. Meanwhile, the American negotiators in Europe worked to find a path to peace with their British counterparts, and General Andrew Jackson shifted his focus to the defense of Mobile. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an extra bonus to our special episode discussing the post-presidencies of the Early Republic, check out an episode of guest Peter Zablocki's podcast, History Shorts, where he interviews the podcasting legend himself, Dan Carlin. Peter and Dan discuss the inspiration behind their appreciation for the study of history, how the discipline has evolved over the years, and how podcasts present a unique approach to storytelling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1836

When he left office after his second term, George Washington had one more precedent to set: namely, what exactly did a president do once they were no longer president? In this episode, I am joined by Peter Zablocki, host of the History Shorts podcast, to discuss the post-presidencies of the Early Republic. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: April 24, 1812 - March 3, 1813

What happens when a Vice President dies? Prior to the 25th Amendment, that meant that a President Pro Tempore (or "for the time being") was chosen to preside over the Senate until the next election. After the death of George Clinton in 1812, the person chosen for that position was William H Crawford of Georgia. Join us as we learn more about what it meant to be President Pro Tempore at the time and what Crawford did during his tenure. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816

When Alexander J Dallas assumed office as Secretary of the Treasury, the federal government was nearly bankrupt. With my special guests, Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast, we explore Dallas's tenure at Treasury and his efforts to improve the nation's finances and economy in the aftermath of the War of 1812 then determine whether Dallas is worthy of a seat at the table of Cabinet All-Stars. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816

In this episode, I am joined by Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast to discuss a lesser known yet quite influential Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander J Dallas of Pennsylvania. Join us as we discuss his early life and career which led him to become one of the leading figures in Pennsylvania politics in the Early Republic. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1904-1944

They happen every four years, but how much do you know about the history of presidential nominating conventions in the US? In this episode, I am joined by Stan Haynes to discuss his research into the history of nominating conventions in the first few decades of the 20th century. Beyond just the fascinating historical figures at play in the politics of the time, the changes in the structure of the conventions and how the candidates were chosen were pivotal to development of the modern American political structure. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1801

The presidency of John Adams often gets overshadowed by those of his predecessor and successor, but as highlighted in Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky's latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, the four years that Adams was in office were pivotal ones for establishing the office of the presidency as well as the nation as a whole. In our conversation, Lindsay and I discuss Adams's approach to the office, the challenges he faced, and how he managed to avoid a full-out conflict with France despite the bellicose efforts of those in his own party. More information can be found on the website at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1814

President Madison and his administration learned that the British were sending seasoned veterans of the Napoleonic Wars to fight American forces in the north as the new commander of the British North American fleet issued orders designed to attack the United States economically and militarily. The time of small raids on coastal communities was at an end. In August 1814, the British had their sights on Washington, DC. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices