American Elections: Wicked Game

President Washington considers a second term while Vice President John Adams fights to keep his position. Adams gets help from Alexander Hamilton, who previously conspired against him. The rise of Aaron Burr as a challenger to Adams and growing partisanship during Washington's presidency are also discussed.

This podcast explores the unique aspects of the first presidential election in 1789, the violent assault on American democracy in 2021, the origins of partisanship, General George Washington's inspiring speech, the impact of Shays' Rebellion, and George Washington's reluctant presidency.

*** All 59 episodes are available ad-free on IntoHistory.comFor Americans who lived through the 2020 presidential election, most thought it was the worst they’d ever seen. With disputed results, the violence of January 6th, and the continued drumbeat of 'fake news' and 'rigged elections,' we witnessed a presidential contest unlike any seen before.But now we face another. On Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, Americans will have just fifty-two weeks to prepare for what promises to be the next worst election in history.That’s why I’m releasing this podcast.We’ve pulled all the old episodes down and beginning November 7th, will be re-publishing them every week. Why? For the same reason we did it the first time four years ago: to prove that presidential politics has always been abysmal, has never matched this nation’s promise, and that once you understand that, today’s chaos is easier to take.Please listen to this special announcement to learn more about the future of this podcast - and how you can keep listening, right now.***Support the show! Tell others about it, and join Into History for ad-free listening and more at https://intohistory.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 10th, 1796, Vice President John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, lamenting the state of discourse in the country. The election was nearing—and becoming heated. Newspapers screamed, factions warred, and John Adams was dismayed with what he called “the wicked Game.”Americans in 2023 can relate. They still have to endure months of shouting, outrage, and the worst sort of political rancor as the country once again chooses its president. But it’s almost always been this way. And to prove it, American Elections: Wicked Game will review the entire history of presidential elections, from the unanimous and inevitable election of George Washington in 1789 to Donald Trump’s surprise electoral victory in 2016—and his contested defeat in 2020.From the host of the American History Tellers and American Scandal, this podcast will explore all 59 presidential elections to discover that there never never was a “good ol’ days,” and that presidential politics has always been played dirty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices