Great Stories of History and Politics: The Archive

Child labor was an endemic part of American life in the 19th century and required a long, difficult struggle to dislodge. Laws, courts, attempted amendments. But something else. The creation of children from a federal legal standpoint. Looking at this issue might cast a spotlight on contemporary politics, and change how we think of one, maybe two Presidents.

Plenty of talk about NC and Munich these days... A look at Neville Chamberlain and the impact of the Munich Conference on American politics. Part One of Three. The other two are later in the archive thread.

A look at the institution proposed by the Constitutional Convention but not always the most revered part of the document. The Electoral College has minuses, and it has a few pluses, that Americans may or may not be willing to trade.

Lincoln, Garfield, Hayes. 19th century Presidents looked different from 20th Century Presidents in the face Or more specifically the hair on their faces. Looking at a not so serious topic but finding within it a serious reason. From 2013

More than 20 years ago now, and five elections since, 1992 stands out as one of the zaniest elections in American history. Yet it attracted a fair amount of attention and turnout for its time. Too early for the internet, it saw American politicians reach into new demographic areas, including MTV and late night talk shows. But in order to see where we can count the 1992 election as an election for all the sorts of stats one counts Presidential elections on (times an incumbent lost, how much the economy is a factor) we've got to get to the bottom of something - what was the real effect of third party challenger Ross Perot? How can he be 'subtracted' out of the analysis to see what would have happened in a Bush-Clinton election? We try to do that in this episode.

Is it true that T.R. was tricked into the VP office to give up power in New York State? We examine this question. Plus, the truth behind JFK's Berlin Speech. All from a past episode of the 'My History Can Beat Up Your Politics' podcast - donate at www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com

A talk about Mike Dukakis and his failed '88 campaign, and how Clinton picked up on some of those mistakes to win his election four years later. Also a discussion of debt ceilings reveals that people adjust their stance based on what party is in power.

This election is clearly historic. In this podcast we talk of course about the most obvious way: the first African American President. And how that achievement might have happened a long time ago but not for a turning point in history. But we also talk about the myriad ways this election is historic: the major event of a serious female contender for President, the 2nd female VP candidate and first Republican, an election during a war, an election during a recession, an election with no incumbent or veep, a high turnout election, a non 'anti-Washington' election, an election with incumbent party candidates who (once again in history) tried without success to run against the President, an election where money was king but not fatcat money as much as little money, an election where the polls were right, an election where a losing VP candidate (edwards) and a NYC mayor didn't win..but a man unknown to most four years ago, became President - elect, something it appears Americans may like to do. So many ways 2008 is historic, and a great data point for future elections to be judged by. For historical political observers, it's like a nice piece of steak to dive into.

The history of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kanas, and similar cases, in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision.

The plane lands, and history is written. A look at Neville Chamberlain and he impact of the Munich Conference on American politics. Part Two of Three.

Is the cultural influence of the Scots-Irish, one of America's oldest immigrant groups, on the ballot in 2012? Partially, perhaps. We discuss this sometimes misunderstood nationality that is essential to understanding American history, a group that I suggest may be essential to understanding today's politics.

Don't send a buddy to get the Presidency for you, or so a Senator learned during the 1880 election. Dark Horse candidates are rare, but when factions can't agree it has happened. How Garfield and a few others became President.

Spying Zeppelins and Fighter Plane Duels...a Fainting Leader and a Final Stand A third and final look at Neville Chamberlain and the Munich analogy. In part one, we've used WWI to 'beat up' on the Munich analogy, in part two we used the events of Munich itself. In Part Three, we hopefully show how the events of 1939 and 1940, including the post-Munich diplomacy and war and the Battle of Britain put Chamberlain's actions in context.