Podcasts – Teaching American History

TAH.org's latest episode in our Landmark Supreme Court Cases webinar series took place on Saturday, 19 November, and was hosted by Dr. Chris Burkett, with Drs. Emily Hess and Jason Stevens as panelists. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was discussed as both the repudiation of Plessy v. Ferguson as well as what many see as the formal start to the post-WW2 Civil Rights era. The two cases' legal reasoning, constitutional foundations, and outcomes were discussed as a an integrated whole, making for an interesting and informative discussion of African-American Civil Rights, as playing out over generations. For those interested in additional readings on the subjects, the panelists recommended the following books. The House I Live In: Race in the American Century, Robert J. Norrell Brown v. Board of Education: A Brief History with Documents, Waldo E. Martin View the archive of the program here. The post Saturday Webinar: Brown v. Board of Education appeared first on Teaching American History.

The latest episode of TAH.org's Landmark Supreme Court Cases Saturday Webinars aired live on Saturday, 15 October 2016, with Dred Scott v. Sandford as the focus. Prof. Chris Burkett of Ashland University moderated the discussion between Profs. Lucas Morel and Jonathan White, and included a live teacher audience of over 100. In addition to the background of the case itself, the panelists discussed the following question, most of which were posed by teachers from the audience: Did Justice Taney believe that the decision in the case would put an end to sectional differences over slavery? Were there political motives behind Taney's decision? What were the main points of the dissenting opinions? How did Taney justify and rationalize his decision? How did the decision reflect or relate to the positions of other leaders of the time, including Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and Alexander Stephens? An interesting point related to the case is that of the perceptions of the Founder's intent. Essentially, Taney asserted that the Founders never intended for African-Americans to be treated and seen as anything but property, and that they were truly lesser beings. If anyone believed otherwise, Taney's response would be that they misunderstood the Founders' true intentions. Alexander Stephens, on the other hand, asserted that although the Founders did promote equality of all people, they were wrong by including, even if only by implication, non-whites, and that the Southern view of the races, based in 'science,' was the correct one. Finally, it was Lincoln who believed that the Founders did include non-whites as people and therefore entitled to certain natural rights, and that if anything, it was the generations of leaders since who'd failed to continue to reach for those goals. The post Saturday Webinar: Dred Scott v. Sandford appeared first on Teaching American History.

  Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:27 — 45.6MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS There is nothing more arduous than the apprenticeship of liberty, Tocqueville informs. While equality in modern democratic society is a natural tendency—one that grows without much effort—it is liberty that requires a new defense in each generation. In this spirit the next edition of Liberty Law Talk discusses with Gordon Lloyd the Liberty Narrative and its unending contest with the Equality Narrative. Gordon Lloyd Gordon Lloyd is the Dockson Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, Pepperdine University and a senior fellow at the Ashbrook Center. He is the creator, with the help of the Ashbrook Center, of four highly regarded websites on the origin of the Constitution. From the Library of Law and Liberty The post Rebuilding the Liberty Narrative: A Conversation with Gordon Lloyd appeared first on Teaching American History.

The first of two sessions from Professor Bill Allen, about the political philosophy of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. This was recorded at the Ashbrook Center with a live audience of teachers on 24 January, 2009. This 74-minute program consisted of remarks by Dr. Allen and a question and answer session with teachers. Generally critics and interpreters of Uncle Tom have constructed a one-way view of Uncle Tom, albeit offering a few kind words for Uncle Tom along the way. Recovering Uncle Tom requires re-telling his story. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s oeuvre, in partnership with that of her husband Calvin, constitutes a demonstration of the permanent necessity of moral and prudential judgment in human affairs. Moreover, it identifies the political conditions that can best guarantee conditions of decency. Her two disciplines—philosophy and poetry—illuminate the founding principles of the American republic and remedy defects in their realization that were evident in mid-nineteenth century. While slavery is not the only defect, its persistence and expansion indicate the overall shortcomings. In four of her chief works (Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, Dred, and Oldtown Folks), Stowe teaches not only how to eliminate the defect of slavery, but also how to realize and maintain a regime founded on the basis of natural rights and Christianity. Further, she identifies the proper vehicle for educating citizens so they might reliably be ruled by decent public opinion. The post From the Archives: Re-Thinking Uncle Tom: The Political Philosophy of H.B. Stowe appeared first on Teaching American History.

Drs. Chris Burkett, Jeremy Bailey, and Dan Monroe discussed the historical context, constitutional connections and reasoning, and legal and political legacy of the second in our Landmark Supreme Court Cases webinars, McCulloch v Maryland (1819). Access the archives of the program here and subscribe to our iTunes podcast. The post Saturday Webinar: McCulloch v. Maryland appeared first on Teaching American History.

On Saturday 27 August 2016, TAH.org hosted its first Saturday Webinar of the 2016-17 school year, on Marbury v. Madison. This year's theme of Landmark Supreme Court cases got off to a great start with a thoughtful discussion of the politics and constitutional aspects of the at the time it was decided, and the legal and constitutional legacy in the years since. Scholars also discussed the case as related to the concepts of both judicial review and judicial supremacy, and the extent to which the Constitution was seen as a legal, rather than political document. You can visit the archive page of this program here. The post Saturday Webinar: Marbury v. Madison appeared first on Teaching American History.

We’ve got a new TAH.org-only YouTube channel, which we’re populating with all our Saturday Webinar archives, as well as other online programs we’ll be holding in the future. Subscribe to receive the latest updates and content.  

Historian David Hackett Fischer discusses the related, yet distinct concepts of liberty and freedom in this archived lecture. Expanding on his 2004 book, Liberty and Freedom: A Visual History of America's Founding, he describes the different meanings of the words at the Founding, and how their meanings have evolved and been applied by Americans since. The post Liberty vs. Freedom appeared first on Teaching American History.

  Our last Saturday Webinar of the 2015-16 school year took place on Saturday, May 7, with Ronald Reagan as our focus. Teachers from around the country joined our panelists for a discussion about Reagan the person, president, and thinker. Questions ranged from his core political beliefs to his transformation from an FDR Democrat to a Republican, and included questions about both foreign and domestic policy. A good deal of attention was paid to his views on Communism and his enduring belief that it was an oppressive, morally bankrupt system that could be made to fail, and without war. Additionally, his genuine desire to eliminate - not just reduce - world arsenals of nuclear weapons was discussed, in the context of his personal outreach to and relations with Soviet leaders, especially Mikhail Gorbachev. The following books are recommended for additional reading about Reagan and his era: Transforming America: Politics and Culture During the Reagan Years The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counterrevolution: 1980-1989 The Essential Ronald Reagan: A Profile in Courage, Justice, and Wisdom The full archive, with documents and video, is available here. Join us, starting in August, for our 2016-17 Saturday Webinar series, 'Landmark Supreme Court Cases,' beginning with Marbury v. Madison. The post American Presidents: Ronald Reagan appeared first on Teaching American History.

Saturday, April 9th's American Presidents webinar focused on Lyndon Johnson and the two pillars of his administration: the Great Society, and the Vietnam War. Panelists discussed topics ranging from the impact of Johnson's political skill and legislative experience on the development and passage of his policies, as well as the role of Democratic majorities in Congress at the time. Of interest was the broad, bipartisan support expansion of Social Security enjoyed, as compared against other large social programs of the 20th and early 21st centuries, and how this support, or lack of it, shaped the policies and the politics surrounding and following them. LBJ's views on and actions related to Vietnam were discussed at length, touching on what seemed to be his lack of interest in being involved, and yet his sense of necessity to stay involved in the war he inherited. The panelists also touched on the different rhetoric LBJ used when promoting his social programs versus that he employed regarding Vietnam and foreign policy. View the archive page, with document and YouTube links, and scholar bios, here. To register for the final webinar of the 2015-16 school year on Saturday, May 7 at 11:00 AM EST discussing Ronald Reagan - The Great Communicator, click here. The post American Presidents Webinar: Lyndon Johnson appeared first on Teaching American History.

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were, famously, political opponents.  Their differences went beyond grand visions of the country’s future and the daily operation of the new government, however.  They also disagreed about religion.  We will examine their disagreement by reading and discussing some of their writings on the still controversial issue of religion and its role in politics. On Saturday, 12 March, David Tucker, Jason Stevens, and Stephen Knott discussed the religious views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, and how these impacted their actions and relationship. Access the primary documents reading packet for this program here. Subscribe to our iTunes podcast here. The post Webinar: Religion in American History & Politics – Jefferson and Hamilton appeared first on Teaching American History.

The latest in our American Presidents webinar series took place on Saturday, 4 March 2016, with Dwight D. Eisenhower as the focus for this month. Drs. Chris Burkett, Joe Postell, and David Alvis discussed Ike's handling of the Korean War, Cold War, and rapid change at home during the 70-minute program, and recommended Fred Greenstein's The Hidden Hand Presidency: Eisenhower as Leader for those interested in learning more. The archive page for the program, with audio, video, and documents links, is here. The post American Presidents Webinar: Dwight Eisenhower appeared first on Teaching American History.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/presidential-academy/Session+30+pt2+Kesler.mp3 Focus Reagan seemed to campaign against Roosevelt's legacy, but delighted in pointing out that he voted for him four times. Yet, he seemed to be interested in cutting back the size of the federal government and making its programs less ambitious. What were his purposes in doing so? Was his failure to cut back the size of government due primarily to Reagan's policies during an era of "divided government," or rather more a reflection of FDR's success?   President Bush seems intent on arguing that his policies, both domestic and foreign, derive directly from the principles of the founding. He argues that self-government needs to be re-invigorated and places emphasis on the obligations of citizenship, and sometimes public spiritedness is difficult. He reminds us that citizenship is not a matter of birth and blood, but rather, "we are bound by ideals," and those ideals have to be learned. Is he right? Are his arguments about the philosophical and historical heritage he appeals to persuasive?   Readings: Ronald Reagan: Reagan, "A Time for Choosing" (October 27, 1964) Reagan, "Acceptance Speech" (July 17, 1980) Reagan, "First Inaugural Address" (January 20, 1981) Reagan, "Speech at Westminster" (June 8, 1982) Reagan, "Second Inaugural Address" (January 20, 1985) Reagan, "Farewell Address" (January 11, 1989) George W. Bush: Bush, "First Inaugural Address" (January 20, 2001) Bush, "Remarks at National Day of Prayer & Remembrance" (Sept. 14, 2001) Bush, "Thanksgiving Day Proclamation" (November 16, 2001) Bush, "Remarks to the George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar on National Security at Virginia Military Institute" (April 17, 2002) Bush, "Commencement Address to the United States Military Academy at West Point" (June 1, 2002) Bush, "State of the Union Address" (January 28, 2003) Bush, "Speech to the National Endowment for Democracy" (Nov. 6, 2003) Bush, "State of the Union Address" (January 20, 2004) Bush, "Second Inaugural Address" (January 20, 2005) Bush, "President Celebrates Independence Day in West Virginia" (July 4, 2005)   The post Session 30 pt2: The Reagan Era and the New Deal Legacy; George W. Bush’s Founding Faith appeared first on Teaching American History.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/presidential-academy/Session+30+pt1+Morel.mp3 Focus Does King's proposal for a "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged" indicate a shift from his earlier vision of the American dream? Does King's advocacy of "compensatory or preferential treatment" look more to race or poverty as its justification? Is the G.I. Bill of Rights a good analogy for King's promotion of a federal, economic program to help blacks and the disadvantaged, generally? What does "black power" mean to King?   How does Malcolm X's theology inform his political thinking? Malcolm X insists that there is no legitimate intermediate position between "the ballot" and "the bullet." He is highly critical of King's reliance on "civil" disobedience. Is he correct? How does his understanding of political action, and particularly the justification for violence, compare to the right of revolution as articulated by John Locke and enshrined in the Declaration of Independence? Why did Malcolm X reject integration as an aim of the civil rights struggle? Why must Black Nationalism be an internationalist movement?   Readings: Martin Luther King, Jr.: King, Why We Can't Wait (1964) Chap. 8, "The Days to Come," 116-143 King, I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches "Black Power Defined" (June 11, 1967), 153-65 "I See the Promised Land" (April 3, 1968), 193-203 Fairclough, Better Day Coming, chap. 11-12 Malcolm X: Louis Lomax, When the Word is Given, "A Summing Up" (1963) Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks "Message to Grassroots" (November 10, 1963) "A Declaration of Independence" (March 12, 1964) "The Ballot or the Bullet" (April 3, 1964) "At the Audubon" (December 20, 1964) "Last Answers and Interviews" (Nov. 23, 1964-Feb. 21, 1965), 194-226 The post Session 30 pt1: Martin Luther King, Jr; Malcolm X appeared first on Teaching American History.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the subject of Saturday, 13 February's American Presidents webinar. Professor Chris Burkett, of Ashland University, moderated the 80-minute discussion between Drs. Stephen Tootle and David Krugler, which focused on topics ranging from FDR's handling of the Great Depression in both political and policy terms to the controversies of his presidency, including the 'court packing' incident. Panelists also discussed FDR's relations with foreign powers during World War II, and discussed his impact on the country and the presidency. Over 90 teachers attended, posing a number of thoughtful questions. Our scholars recommend the following books on the subject: Freedom From Fear, David Kennedy Man of Destiny: FDR and the Making of the American Century, Alonzo Hamby Liberalism and its Challengers: From FDR to Bush, Alonzo Hamby Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Encounter with the World Since 1776, Walter McDougall You can access the video and documents archive for the FDR webinar here. Join us next month, on 5 March, for American Presidents: Dwight Eisenhower - Change at Home and Challenge Abroad. The post American Presidents Webinar: Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared first on Teaching American History.