Supreme Court in the 1930's, The
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about Franklin D. Roosevelt's efforts to "pack the Supreme Court" with justices he believed would be sympathetic to his legislative agenda, particularly the Wagner Act and the Social Security Act.. Although Ro...
Racism During World War II (Part One)
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about what he calls one of the great ironies of World War II and the twentieth century. "On the one hand," Professor Gerstle explains, "...the illegitimacy of racial prejudice was put before the American peopl...
Racism During World War II (Part Two)
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about the nexus between American cinema's treatment of World War II and the issue of racism during the War. Professor Gerstle notes that African-Americans were largely absent from Steven Spielberg's landmark f...
Exploitation During the Industrial Revolution
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris explains that both men and men were exploited during the Industrial Revolution. But those born in America had other options, Professor Kessler-Harris notes, including the "fabled frontier" and free lan...
Employment During The Depression
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris talks about shifting employment demographics during Depression, The and again during World War II.
Employment During World War II
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris explains that there was less employment discrimination towards women during World War II than there was during Depression, The , but it did persist and then, "...it returns full force after the War."
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Immigration
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about the political ascent of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the time of the Great Depression. Professor Gerstle explains that immigrants in New York City were a significant part of Roosevelt's political base. "He a...
America on the Eve of World War I
Professor of history Gary Gerstle explains that the United States was very divided over whether to enter World War I. "There was a strong socialist movement and anarchist movement in American society," Professor Gerstle says. "They were opposed to t...
African-Americans Move To The City
American history professor Alice Kessler-Harris talks about the lack of equal opportunity on the job front for African-Americans who began moving to cities in the 1920's. "I think it's sometimes painful to acknowledge just how discriminatory the wor...
Woodrow Wilson, Immigration and Minorities
Professor of history Gary Gerstle explains that Woodrow Wilson's views on immigrants and assimilation were very similar to those of Theodore Roosevelt. But while Roosevelt was very conflicted about minority rights, Wilson was much more set in his ra...