American History Tellers

The 1929 stock market crash reshaped American politics, signaling the decline of the Republican Party as discontent brewed among citizens. With Franklin D. Roosevelt's election in 1932, the Democratic Party gained unprecedented urban support. The podcast delves into Hoover's failed responses to the Great Depression, the rise of the Bonus Army, and significant reforms introduced by the New Deal. It also highlights key moments, including debates over civil rights at conventions that exposed deep rifts and transformed party dynamics.

The aftermath of Lincoln's assassination created a tumultuous political landscape as Andrew Johnson took office, wrestling with Congress over Reconstruction policies. The Republican Party emerged victorious, dominating American politics for over 70 years. Intriguing conflicts, including Johnson's impeachment and the rise of populism, shaped the party's evolution. The saga continues with Theodore Roosevelt's progressive fight within an increasingly divided GOP, leading to pivotal moments in American history that highlight the tensions and transformations of political power.

Explore the charged political climate of the 1850s, where the U.S. grapples with newly acquired lands and the explosive issue of slavery. Witness the collapse of the Whig Party amid intense divisions and the rise of the Republican Party clinging to Jeffersonian ideals. Delve into the violent nativist riots of 1855 and the political chaos surrounding immigrant tensions. The looming threat of secession and internal conflict highlights the precarious state of the nation, setting the stage for Civil War.

Andrew Jackson's tumultuous rise to the presidency unfolded amid a fierce rivalry with Henry Clay. The controversial 1824 election sparked the formation of the Democratic Party, driven by Jackson's supporters. Meanwhile, Clay rallied fiscal conservatives to create the Whig Party, igniting a power struggle that would reshape American politics. The era also saw the birth of the Anti-Masonic Party, reflecting societal unrest, and John Tyler's tumultuous leadership post-Harrison's death, foreshadowing growing tensions over slavery and prelude to conflict in the 1850s.

Explore the chaotic political landscape of early America, where George Washington's warnings about factionalism were quickly realized. The rivalry between Federalists and Republicans began, igniting heated debates and street riots. Delve into the contrasting visions of Hamilton and Jefferson as they fought over the nation’s economic future. Experience the tumultuous birth of political parties, the dramatic 1800 election, and the Federalists' decline during the War of 1812. Witness how these events shaped the nation's political identity and conflicts around slavery.

Named after one of the greatest U.S. presidents, the Lincoln Motor Company has become as ingrained in American culture as the Statue of Liberty. Founded by Henry Leland to produce plane engines during World War I, Lincoln became a key driver of the early automobile industry in the United States and a pioneer of the luxury car market. But when Leland’s vision proved too ambitious for the nascent American car market, Lincoln was purchased by the Ford Motor Company.The Ford acquisition would prove to be a game-changer for Lincoln. It provided the young company with a jolt of capital, marketing know-how, and a secret weapon: Henry Ford’s son, Edsel Ford, who possessed an uncanny sense of style and what customers wanted. He would lead the Lincoln to build an entirely new class of automobile: something “strictly continental.” Brought to you by the 2019 Lincoln MKC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We conclude our series on the American Civil Right Movement with an interview with a woman who was there, on the front lines of the fight.Peggy Trotter Dammond Preacely is longtime civil rights activist and artist. She was a Freedom Rider, boarding busses to travel the south in a fight for desegregation, and member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, participating in sit-ins, marches, and voter registration campaigns. She marched on Washington, was arrested three times, was visited in jail by Martin Luther King Jr., and leads a life defined by her heritage, commitment to nonviolent activism, and the hope for continued change.You can read Peggy's poem here.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seeking to build upon the gains of the early 1960s, Civil Rights activists pushed forward on a series of ambitious efforts. Voting rights activists returned to Alabama and again faced violent reprisal—this time televised for the country to witness. A shocked nation watched the violence in Selma in horror; Congress took action, passing the Voting Rights Act.Off of this success, Martin Luther King Jr. began building a coalition of activist groups to turn the nation’s attention to the fight against poverty. Gathering support for a massive march on Washington, Dr. King visited Memphis, hopeful and in high spirits. He did not leave alive.“America does move forward and the bell of freedom rings out a little louder. We have come some of the way, not near all of it. There is much yet to do.” President Lyndon B. JohnsonSupport this show by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the Civil Rights movement entered the landmark years of 1963 and 1964, activists had faced many challenges - but had also won many victories. Now, they sought to launch new campaigns in Alabama and Mississippi and mass demonstrations in Washington D.C. and New York City. In the span of sixteen remarkable months, the movement and the nation itself would be transformed, walking the razor’s edge between triumph and tragedy.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the Civil Rights movement entered the Sixties, a new generation of activists took the fore. Frustrated by the pace of progress but emboldened by strides made in the previous decade, students embraced “nonviolent direct action,” protest techniques that were provocative but peaceful. Soon, a wave of sit-ins hit lunch counters across the South. The response was caustic, often violent; but the protesters’ persistence led to negotiations with business owners and civil authorities that led to successful desegregation.The next wave of direct action - the Freedom Rides - met much worse and more violent resistance. Protesters were beaten, busses burned, and hope was nearly lost. Then, when activists moved into the rural South to organize the black vote, white supremacists’ ire turned murderous.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.