Presidencies Of The United States

As a listener reminded me, if you do something twice, it becomes a tradition. This however is a tradition I think we can all enjoy. To mark the upcoming holiday season, for the second year in a row, I gathered for a lively conversation and some laughs in our Friendsgiving spectacular with Alycia from Civics & Coffee, Kenny Ryan from [Abridged] Presidential Histories, and Howard Dorre from Plodding Through the Presidents. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our partners at Evergreen Podcasts have a great new series that I have no doubt Presidencies listeners will appreciate - Countdown to Dallas. On the sixtieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, former White House correspondent Paul Brandus takes an in-depth look at the seemingly unconnected events that led to that afternoon in Dallas, Texas. He explores the troubled and broken life of Kennedy’s killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, and challenges six decades worth of conspiracy theories. Check out this first episode then subscribe to Countdown to Dallas wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://evergreenpodcasts.com to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1810-1814 Though it took a while, in 1813, news of the war between Britain and the US arrived on the West Coast and would have ramifications for the Americans at the Pacific trading post of Astoria. Meanwhile, President Madison with his second inauguration launched a reset of the administration's war efforts, though he would find his ambitions for East Florida shut down by Congress while General James Wilkinson continued to pose problems for his superiors in Washington. 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: 1961-2023 For this episode, I'm joined by author and journalist Kate Andersen Brower to discuss her research on modern First Ladies from Jackie Kennedy on and how the role of First Lady changed in the modern era and continues to evolve in the 21st Century. In addition to exploring the challenges faced by historic figures such as Lady Bird Johnson and Pat Nixon, Kate also shares her first-hand insight from covering the inhabitants of both the East and West Wings of the White House. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: April 21, 1789 - March 4, 1797 John Adams had a lengthy, busy career in public service, but it's likely that he would not rank his eight years as the first Vice President of the United States as one of his crowning achievements. Join my co-host Alex and myself as we explore his tempestuous tenure in this office and determine whether it was notable enough or impactful enough for Adams to preside from the rostrum of VP All-Stars. Sources used for this episode and more can be found at the website: https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1813 Though the French Army captured Moscow in the fall of 1812, Emperor Napoleon quickly learned that holding it and forcing the Russians to capitulate would prove to be a tougher prospect. Meanwhile, Russian Tsar Aleksandr, concerned about the impact of the War of 1812 on British resolve against France, puts forward an offer to bring about peace with the US, and in Paris, a plot is launched to overthrow the imperial government. 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: Prehistory-1954 Being in the midst of a war with Great Britain did not stop some Americans in the early 19th century from thinking about territorial expansion into Spanish-held colonies in the Americas including those in the Caribbean. For this episode, I am joined by Joseph Pascone, host of the Turning Tides Podcast, to examine the history of Puerto Rico, the key to the Antilles, and how numerous European powers vied for control of this island for centuries prior to it becoming a US commonwealth. During our discussion, we learn about some common developments and trends that took place both in Puerto Rico and what became the United States. Links referenced can be found at www.presidenciespodcast.com. Note: There are references to violence related to the colonial experience and enslavement throughout this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: January 19, 1813 - December 1, 1814 Starting a new position is never easy, but being put in charge of the Navy in the middle of the war with a shoestring budget meant for a particularly challenging into Madison's Cabinet for the 4th Secretary of the Navy, William Jones. In this episode, I and my special guest, Stacey Roberts of History's Trainwrecks and the Valley Forge Project, explore Jones's life and career and determine whether he was able to overcome the hurdles with which he was faced to earn a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1801-1825 In this episode, I am joined by Kevin R C Gutzman, author of The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, to discuss this near quarter century where the three titular friends in succession served as chief executive. During the course of our conversation, in addition to comparing and contrasting the ideologies and approaches of these three presidents, we also discuss their interactions with one another as well as with other leading figures of the time. 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: 1773-1815 For this episode, I am joined by Peter Stark, author of Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation. In the course of our conversation, in addition to talking about the two titular historical figures, we also discuss various other individuals who impacted the course of their lives and careers as well as the geopolitical influences on the conflict between Native peoples and American settlers in the Old Northwest. 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: 1811-1813 As if the United States didn't have enough military conflicts to be involved in, agents of the Madison administration worked to support the efforts of would-be revolutionaries leading the Republican Army of the North to end Spanish control of New Spain. Meanwhile, Gen. William Henry Harrison had to deal with a rival general in his command in the Old Northwest who ended up making a costly strategic mistake. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Note: There is a brief mention of an incident of violence around the 15 1/2 minute mark that lasts for 30 seconds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-2023 While the US vice presidency is a constitutionally-created office, arguably the role that the vice president plays in American politics and the federal government has experienced the greatest shifts of any other position on the national stage. This episode begins our exploration of the lives and legacies of the individuals who have served as Vice President with an examination of the history of the office, how the Constitution has changed the role, and some of the precedents set and unprecedented scenarios we'll see in this series. More information can be found on the website: https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: December 11, 1811 - February 9, 1814 A lawyer, diplomat, and politician, William Pinkney of Maryland may not be the most famous member of James Madison's Cabinet. However, joined by my special guests, Meredith and Dustin of the Alexander Standard Podcast, we explore his life in this episode to learn more about his impact on the Early Republic during his career at home and abroad and determine whether the legacy he left makes him worthy of a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greetings, everyone! Our partners at Evergreen Podcasts and I want to get to know our listeners a bit better, so please take a moment to complete the Listener Survey by going to the following link: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/listener-survey Did I mention that there will be random drawings for folks who complete the survey? In the last question, select "Other" and type in "The Presidencies of the United States" to let our partners know that you're part of Team Presidencies. Thanks so much! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1813 As the USS Constitution brought home the nation's first major victory in the War of 1812, the Madison administration had to carefully consider how to readjust its strategy in ground operations. New leaders started emerging in the field, but the President, after securing reelection, had to consider a Cabinet shakeup that would restore confidence that the conflict against Britain would not end with an embarrassing lost of territory and national prestige. 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: 1831-1881 On this episode, I am joined by C W Goodyear, author of the new biography President Garfield, to talk about the man who he described as "a pathologically reasonable person" and his navigation through the turbulent waters of Reconstruction and Gilded Age American politics to become the 20th US President. In our discussion, we talk about some of the key individuals in Garfield's life and political career as well as some of his achievements and failures. Believe me, there is much more to learn about Garfield than just his tragic end. More information about Garfield can be found on the website at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tenure of Office: April 6, 1811 - March 4, 1817 (as Secretary of State); September 27, 1814 - March 2, 1815 (as Secretary of War) James Monroe is one of the rare Cabinet members who served in two Cabinet positions simultaneously, and what is really remarkable about Monroe's doing so is that it was in the midst of the War of 1812 when he led both the State and War Departments. Listen as my special guest, Joe Faykosh from Visiting the Presidents, and I explore his life and lengthy career of public service and determine whether Monroe earned a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Note: There is a mention of death by suicide in this episode around the 32 minute mark. Year(s) Discussed: 1811-1812 Even after the declaration of war in 1812, US and British officials on both sides of the Atlantic continued to work towards a cessation of hostilities. At around the same time, French Emperor Napoleon was escalating the state of war in Europe by gathering the largest force seen on that continent to that point to take on the Russian Empire. Meanwhile, American diplomats and merchants in the Mediterranean found themselves on the wrong side of the British-allied Algerine government. 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: 1939-1994 As we've seen in the podcast, certain circumstances coming together at just the right time can change the course of history for good or ill. In this episode, I am joined by author, historian, and White House correspondent Paul Brandus to discuss his new book, Countdown to Dallas: The Incredible Coincidences, Routines, and Blind "Luck" That Brought John F Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald Together on November 22, 1963. In our conversation, we talk about Oswald's motivation and how his troubled childhood impacted his course in life as well as the impacts of the Kennedy assassination on his loved ones as well as presidential security practices moving forward. We also discuss some of the reasons this event has given birth to so many conspiracy theories, and Paul shares some insight on the experience of being a White House correspondent. Additional information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1812 In the aftermath of the surrender of Detroit, the Madison administration had to consider whether its strategy against Britain had already gone awry in the early days of the War of 1812. Meanwhile, in East Florida, the arrival of a new colonial governor boded ill for the Patriot cause. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices