The History of the Americans

This is the second episode of The History of the Americans podcast, and Part 2 of The Americans Before Columbus. If you have not listened to the first episode, click here. I also recommend that you listen to the short introductory episode, which introduces the podcast series. The podcast has now been accepted on both Apple podcasts and Spotify, among other places. If you enjoy it, please go to your favorite podcatcher and subscribe or follow! And, of course, comments, questions, objections, corrections, and pats on the back are very much appreciated, either by email at thehistoryoftheamericans@gmail.com or in the comments section of this post. References for this episode Charles C. Mann, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus David Henige, Numbers from Nowhere: The American Indian Contact Population Debate John S. Marr and John T. Cathay, "New Hypothesis for Cause of Epidemic among Native Americans, New England, 1616–1619"

On October 20, 2022, I re-recorded this episode, which was first published on January 3, 2021, with a few small tweaks and interjections. This is that version. This is the first substantive episode of The History of the Americans Podcast. For an introduction to this podcast series, please check out "Introductions and such," which includes a short introductory podcast. This episode is a high-level look at how the European and European-American view of the indigenous peoples of North America has changed over the last five hundred years, and why it has changed. Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast References used in this episode: Alfred W. Crosby, Jr, The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 Charles C. Mann, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus The "crying Indian" Earth Day public service ad

On October 6, 2022, I re-recorded the original introduction to the podcast, which was first published on January 1, 2021, with a few small tweaks and interjections. This is that version. Welcome to The History of the Americans Podcast.  I am your host, Jack Henneman.   We are telling the history of the lands now encompassed by the United States, from the beginning, without presentism.  We believe there is dignity in our national story, along with tragedy, triumph, brilliance, hypocrisy, magnificence, depravity, corruption, venality, inspiration, oppression, genius, defeat, and glory.  It should be said up front that I am a retired corporate tool, not a professional historian.  I am, however, the son of a professor of history, grew up in a house lined with history books, and have done my share of reading over the years.  Unlike many academics of his era, my father was a big supporter of popular history. He believed that history should be fun and interesting and encouraged as widely as possible, even at the risk of errors that offend the professionals.  So let’s do this in that spirit, come what may. No doubt I will make mistakes or come to conclusions with which “the experts” take issue.  All feedback is, of course, welcome, including from professional historians, and I’ll do my best as we go along to acknowledge meaningful errors.  What else about me?  I grew up in Iowa City in a family of New Yorkers, and lived and worked in Chicago and Princeton, New Jersey before moving to Austin, Texas on account of true love. My wife is a psychotherapist, which my friends think is pretty useful, and we and our dogs can often be found in New Orleans when we are not in Austin. I’ve been to 49 states in my time so far – sorry, North Dakota, I’ll get to you eventually – and seen enough of the world that I know what a good thing we have here.  For more on my hopes for “The History of the Americans,” please listen to Episode 0, which explains why I think we Americans need to reinvigorate our national history with dignity. Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast Selected references for this episode Carl Degler, "In Pursuit of an American History" Jill LePore, This America: The Case for the Nation