Successors to George Washington
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn analyzes the abilities of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who served as the third and fourth U.S. presidents respectively. Professor Bailyn explains that Jefferson was a good administrator and an excellent pol...
Struggle in the Border States
Historian and author Ira Berlin talks about the challenge of convincing the border states to emancipate. Professor Berlin explains that the enlistment of African-American men helped speed the process and began to erode slavery in Maryland, Kentucky,...
Slavery and the Civil War
While many people, including Abraham Lincoln, said the Civil War was about the Union, historian and author Ira Berlin argues that the war cannot be understood without the institution of slavery. In fact, Professor Berlin adds, "...By the end of the ...
Abraham Lincoln and the Truth About Prejudice
Social psychologist Mahzarin Banaji explains that there is some degree of prejudice, whether conscious or not, in nearly everyone. She uses Abraham Lincoln as an example, citing the contradictions between his public record as "the great emancipator"...
White House Staff, The
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about the evolution of the White House staff. He notes that the staff was very small and not especially important back in the time of Lincoln. But beginning with the...