Jefferson Before The Revolution
Historian Peter Onuf explains that Thomas Jefferson wrote what may scholars consider to be a "rehearsal" for the Declaration of Independence when he wrote an incendiary pamphlet called the Summary Review of the Rights of..
Jefferson's Embargo
Historian Peter Onuf talks about Jefferson's embargo, which he calls, "one of the great tragic set pieces of American history." Professor Onuf also describes the sentiment in the United States leading up to President Jam..
Jefferson, Adams, and the Constitution
Historian Peter Onuf talks about the roles played by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the early days of the United States. Professor Onuf explains that when Jefferson was elected President in 1800 (following Adams), he..
Labor Market For African-Americans and Women in the 1940's, The
Professor of history Gary Gerstle explains that World War II marked a time of historic economic and industrial opportunity for African-Americans and women. Professor Gerstle talks about the iconic Rosie the Riveter image..
Labor Movement of the 1930's, The
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about the rise of organized labor in the 1930's, when the Great Depression cost millions of Americans their jobs. He explains that, in 1935, President Roosevelt engineered two of t..
Laws of Slavery, The
Historian and author Ira Berlin explains that the laws pertaining to slavery were written so as to give slave owners virtually unlimited power over their slaves, while the slaves themselves had no power. In some cases, s..
Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: Andrew Jackson Versus the Bank of the United States
The Bank of the United States under the leadership of Nicholas Biddle is a very profitable enterprise. In the election of 1832, Henry Clay seizes upon the early reauthorization of the bank's charter as a campaign issue a..
Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: Andrew Jackson's Indian Policy
Andrew Jackson's entrance into the political arena is largely built on his reputation as an Indian fighter, first against the tribes in Tennessee, and later in connection with the War of 1812. At the end of the conflict ..
Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: Emergence of the Whig Party
Andrew Jackson's forceful, some would claim tyrannical, tactics create deep political divisions and spawn the emergence of a new political party, the Whigs. The Whigs and the Democrats differ from one another in terms of..
Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: Martin Van Buren as President
Jackson decides to step down after two terms in office. His hand-picked choice for the Democratic nomination is Martin Van Buren. The Whigs nominate three regional candidates hoping that they will get enough votes to den..