Ep. 16: A Gulf of Civil Horror (George Washington)

For over 200 years, the US military has subordinated itself to civilian authority. But in 1783, that authority was challenged. This is the story of how George Washington restored that civilian rule and saved the young republic. Read Transcript

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Ep. 15: Presidential Fight Club with Scott Rank

Scott Rank visits to discuss his podcast Presidential Fight Club, which seeks to answer the question “If all of the presidents fought each other one-on-one, who would win?” Scott Michael Rank, Ph.D., is the editor of History on the Net and host of the History Unplugged podcast. A historian of the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey, he… Continue reading Ep. 15: Presidential Fight Club with Scott Rank

Ep. 14: Perspectives: Gen. Michael Hayden, Director of the NSA and CIA under George W. Bush

WASHINGTON - MAY 08: (AFP OUT) U.S. President George W. Bush (L) speaks as former director of the National Security Agency Gen. Michael Hayden looks on during a personnel announcement May 8, 2006 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Bush nominated Hayden to be the new CIA director. (Photo by Roger Wollenberg-Pool/Getty Images)

Interview with General Michael Hayden, former Director of the NSA and CIA, on the dilemmas the Bush Administration faced in the War on Terror.

Ep. 12: Will and Ted’s Imperial Adventure Part I (William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt)

US President William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, 1899 (1951). McKinley (1843-1901) became a lawyer and, in 1877, entered Congress as a Republican, becoming a leading tarriff expert. Elected President in 1896 and for a second term four years later, he was shot by an anarchist, Leon Czolgosz, at the Pan-American Exhibition in Buffalo, on 6th September 1901 and died on 14th September. Roosevelt (1858-1919) was Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1898, resigning to fight in the Spanish-American War, his expoits in which gained him wide public popularity. He was Vice-President in McKinley's second term, succeeding him as President after the assassination. He was re-elected for a second term in 1904. A print from 100 Years in Pictures, A panorama of History in the Making, text by DC Somervell, Odhams press Limited, London, 1951. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Should republics build empires? William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and the path to the Spanish–American War.

Ep. 11: The Great American Conqueror Part II (James K. Polk)

In our last episode, we discussed President Polk’s unlikely rise to the White House and his success in annexing Texas and settling the Oregon territory. But by late April 1846, he was leading his nation to war with its southern neighbor, Mexico. As a former dark horse candidate with no military experience, many wondered whether… Continue reading Ep. 11: The Great American Conqueror Part II (James K. Polk)

Ep. 9: The Art of the Steal (Thomas Jefferson)

History often seems inevitable. When we look back at a historical event, we usually look at it with the outcomes or the results in mind. For example, when we think of World War II, we know that it ended in 1945. We know that the Allies won. Our entire view of that war is framed… Continue reading Ep. 9: The Art of the Steal (Thomas Jefferson)

Ep. 8: The Women Who Would Be President

We just lived through the first election in which a woman won the nomination of a major political party to be President of the United States and came close to being elected. To many, this was a sign of major progress . In fact, there are more women today in American government than ever before.… Continue reading Ep. 8: The Women Who Would Be President

Ep. 7: Perspectives: Bob Knudsen on Photographing the President

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was a little-known politician running for president. In February of that year, he was in New York City to deliver a speech at the Cooper Union building. Just before his remarks, Lincoln stopped by the office of photographer Matthew Brady. There, Brady took a photo of Lincoln to mark the occasion… Continue reading Ep. 7: Perspectives: Bob Knudsen on Photographing the President