

History That Doesn't Suck
Prof. Greg Jackson
HTDS is a bi-weekly podcast, delivering a legit, seriously researched, hard-hitting survey of American history through entertaining stories. To keep up with History That Doesn’t Suck news, check us out htdspodcast.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram: @Historythatdoesntsuck; on Twitter/X: @HTDSpod. Become a premium member to support our work, receive ad-free episodes and bonus episodes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

17 snips
Jun 3, 2024 • 1h 1min
157: Temperance, Prohibition, and the Path to the 18th Amendment
Dive into the fervent world of temperance and Prohibition! Discover how groups like the American Temperance Society and the Women's Christian Temperance Union rallied against alcohol consumption, driven by social reform and domestic violence concerns. Meet Carrie Nation, armed with bricks, as she famously smashed saloons. Explore the brewing industry's attempts to defend its place in American culture and the strategic rise of the Anti-Saloon League, leading to the transformative 18th Amendment. This tale intertwines morality, activism, and the complexities of a nation grappling with its vices.

May 20, 2024 • 1h 1min
156: The Presidency of “Silent” Cal Coolidge
“I believe I can swing it.”This is the story of the Coolidge Administration.Calvin Coolidge isn’t the most talkative guy–he’s painfully shy, to be frank–but “Silent Cal” does care deeply about public service. Over the years, the thrifty, hard-working New Englander moves up the ranks, from municipal offices to state offices, until, as Massachusetts Governor, he’s asked to join Warren G. Harding’s run for the White House. When the scandalous, playboy President meets an untimely end, family man Cal suddenly finds himself President of the United States.Cal slashes government spending and taxes while pursuing peace abroad. He also sees terrible heartache with the loss of loved ones. Meanwhile, the nation is debating if evolution should be taught in schools, the Mississippi floods, and the sculpting of Mount Rushmore begins. Cal might not be a hands-on president, but much is happening during his time in office that will reverberate into the years ahead. ____Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and
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May 6, 2024 • 1h 7min
155: The Life & Times of Warren G. Harding & The Teapot Dome Scandal
Discover the fascinating rise and fall of Warren G. Harding, a charismatic president caught in the web of the infamous Teapot Dome scandal. Explore how his charm and political ambitions clashed with corruption from his friends in the 'Ohio Gang.' Unravel the intrigue surrounding key players, including Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, and the bribes that rocked the nation. As Harding faces his final days, questions loom about his involvement in the scandal, leaving a lasting mark on American politics.

Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 2min
154: An Epilogue Discussion with Ben Sawyer
The Prof. sits down with fellow Prof. Ben Sawyer of the Road to Now Podcast and Middle Tennessee State University to chat through the last volume episodes. Russia, the Red Scare, the second Klan, and more, while Ben gets Greg to share behind-the-scenes details on the writing process. Enjoy!____Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and
go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
join discussions in our Facebook community
get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette
come see a live show
get HTDS merch
or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 8, 2024 • 1h 3min
153: West Virginia’s Mine Wars: From Trouble in Matewan to the Battle of Blair Mountain
Explore the largest US uprising post-Civil War with West Virginia's Mine Wars, inspired by Mother Jones. Witness bloody clashes in Mingo County and the murder of Police Chief Sid Hatfield leading to a 10,000-strong miner rebellion at Blair Mountain against Sheriff Don Chafin's forces and the US Army intervention.

Mar 25, 2024 • 1h 3min
152: The Second Ku Klux Klan: Racism, Anti-Semitism, & Anti-Catholicism in the 1920s
Exploring the rise and fall of the Second Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, targeting Jews, Catholics, and Black Americans. The Klan's political connections, violent actions, and eventual downfall are discussed. Themes of racism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Catholicism, as well as the Klan's influence on Congress and state houses. The podcast also covers the controversial trial of Leo Frank and the Tulsa Race Massacre, highlighting societal tensions and resistance against the Klan's power.

Mar 11, 2024 • 1h 3min
151: The First Red Scare - Bombings, The Palmer Raids, Eugene Debs, and J. Edgar Hoover
In this podcast, dive into America's First Red Scare with bombings, Palmer Raids, Eugene Debs, and J. Edgar Hoover. Discover the intense battle between security and liberty as Attorney General Palmer hunts down violent leftists in the aftermath of bombings and anarchist attacks. Explore the controversial tactics of the Palmer Raids, the imprisonment of socialist Eugene Debs, and the rise of J. Edgar Hoover amidst fear and paranoia post-World War I.

Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 4min
150: The Great War’s Aftermath: Coming Home, The Spanish Flu, & The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
“I keep wondering if the Unknown Soldier is one of my men.”This is the story of the United States coping with and facing the aftermath of World War I.The American Expeditionary Force in France is breaking up but that means a lot of different things as doughboys occupy Germany, go fight in Russia, convalesce, or just head home. If only going home was so easy–for many, it’s a hard transition back to civilian life. One of the few familiar things they find in the States is a deadly strain of influenza: “The Spanish Flu.”Meanwhile, the world is in turmoil. War still rages in much of Eastern Europe and Ireland, communism and fascism are rearing their heads, and neither the French nor British are finding their new League of Nations Mandates easy to govern. But amid all these ongoing struggles, grieving Americans whose doughboy father, son, or brother disappeared in the war find solace visiting what just might be their loved one’s final resting place: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and
go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
join discussions in our Facebook community
get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette
come see a live show
get HTDS merch
or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 1, 2024 • 51min
149: WWI Epilogue
The Episode to end all … World War I episodes. Professor Jackson sits down with Kelsi Dynes to talk through all the things that didn’t make it into the final Great War episodes and go big picture on the Meuse-Argonne, Armistice, and Treaty of Versailles.Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and
go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
join discussions in our Facebook community
get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette
come see a live show
get HTDS merch
or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 4, 2023 • 39min
148: Tales of Christmas from World War I (A Truce, Plum Pudding, and Love)
“The circumstances under which we are spending this particular Christmas are unusual.”This is the story of the Christmases of World War I.Germans and British troops, singing carols together. French and German troops, kicking, playing sports and exchanging treats. It may not last, but for a brief moment–for Christmas of 1914–these opposing armies refuse the orders of their superiors as they temporarily “beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruninghooks.”In the years ahead, the United States’ forces have their own Christmas celebrations “over there.” In 1917, New York’s Harlem Rattlers, or Hellfighters, sing and celebrate as they travel to France. In 1918, all ranks of the AEF–be they doughboys or Hello Girls–celebrate a post-armistice Christmas. We’ll catch a speech by the president and a Christmas Bash at Black Jack Pershing’s headquarters where George Patton eats way too much plum pudding. And then, we’ll say goodbye to Black Jack. With a loving Christmas connection years down the road, it’s time to lay him to rest with his beloved doughboys in Arlington.____Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and
go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
join discussions in our Facebook community
get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette
come see a live show
get HTDS merch
or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices