Notes On History

Rutherford B. Hayes. James G. Blaine. Chester A. Arthur.  One of these three men was never President of the United States (though he wanted to be), but most Americans wouldn't know which one.  Today we're going to look over the post Civil War presidencies and look at why we just don't remember these men.  Even the one with Mutton Chops...

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Today on Notes on History Paul discusses certain topics in the Lincoln Administration.  Now, if you wanted to stir up a hornet's nest, you COULD argue that secession was legal or you COULD argue that Lincoln's use of force against the seceding states represented an over-reaching of a President's powers.  But that might cause some of Paul's lawyer friends to have a fit, and Paul wouldn't do that.  That would be like poking a bear in its cage at the zoo.

That's right.  Poke.

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I'm finally back to continue the discussion of the American Presidency!  Today's discussion centers around how the Antebellum Presidents managed two major issues in their day: the expansion of American borders and the question of slavery. ****SPOILER ALERT*****  (It doesn't end well...)

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Many libertarians today believe that William Henry Harrison was the greatest president we ever had.  If you don't get the joke, Wikipedia is a click away.  Today's installment of Notes on History deals with some issues addressed by John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and John Tyler.  If you don't know why I didn't include William Henry Harrison in that list, Wikipedia is still just a click away.  It didn't go anywhere. I promise.

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Today we're going to look at the first five Presidents: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.  If you're looking for a discussion of George's wooden teeth or Dolly Madison saving paintings, look elsewhere.  Not only will it not be here, but his teeth weren't wooden.  So there.  This is not an in-depth study of each administration, but rather a look at how they each dealt with a couple of the most important issues of the day.

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Today starts a series of installments exploring the American Presidency.  Some historians believe that Lincoln was the greatest American President, others FDR, and still others Ronald Reagan.  Find out why they are all wrong, and why, in fact, the greatest American President was William Henry Harrison.

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Paul Stoetzel is traveling for Christmas this week but will return next week! In early January we'll be starting a series on the American Presidency. Marvel at Paul's tap dancing skills as he discusses a little bit about each President from Washington through Clinton without getting political.

See Henry. See Thomas. See Henry make the worst mistake of his life. See Thomas make him pay for it.  Medieval politics at its best.  Today's installment of Notes on History briefly recounts the story of Thomas Becket and how he single handedly illustrated the limits on the powers of Medieval monarchs.

Note: Today's installment of Notes on History was delayed due to technical difficulties.

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I'll admit, this week's episode becomes very convoluted very quickly.  However, the story of Henry of Anjou is important.  If you want to understand the relationship between England and France, this is a must.  If you want to understand feudalism, this is a gotta-hear episode.  If you want your head to explode as part of a party gag, you're in the right place.

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Find out why, given the choice, the Patricians of ancient Rome would rather take the seasick crocodile.  Today's installment of Notes on History discusses the story of the 12 Tables of Ancient Rome and how we can apply ancient lessons to modern times.

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