The Whiskey Rebellion

Whiskey Rebellion 092: War Crimes

President Trump has suggested that he might recognize Memorial Day by pardoning some American soldiers accused or convicted of war crimes. Frank and David look how the United States has dealt with war crimes from the Revolution to today.

Last Drops

Frank: Isenberg and Burstein's The Problem of Democracy

David: discovery of the Clotilda

Whiskey Rebellion 091: McCullough's Pioneers

David McCullough's recently published book, The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West, has prompted highly critical reviews in the New York Times and on Slate. Frank and David discuss the controversy and whether some historians have overreacted. 

Last Drops

Frank: Remembrace of Edinburgh SPS colleague John Peterson

David: Nursing Clio's articles on abortion

 

 

Whiskey Rebellion 090: High Crimes and Misdemeanors

In the two weeks since the redacted Mueller report became public, many Democrats have discussed the possibility of impeaching President Trump. Frank and David look at the history of impeachment, including:

• what the impeachment of judges in the Early Republic tells us about what the Founders thought about impeachment
• how the impeachment (or near impeachment) of Johnson, Nixon, and Clinton inform the current situation
• hypothesizing whether Democrats will proceed with impeachment

Last Drops

Frank: Texas Tech flash mob at Dallas Old Parkland Debate

David: new American Civil War Museum in Richmond

Whiskey Rebellion 089: Raising the White Flag

On location in Charlottesville (our first episode recorded in America), Frank talks to David about his new book, Raising the White Flag: How Surrender Defined the American Civil War.

David is doing a book tour -- interested listeners can hear him in person in the coming weeks at the American Civil War Museum, Bennett Place, Museum of Civil War Medicine, Shepherd University, and Washington and Lee. 

Last Drops

David: Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia

Frank: Getting Word exhibit from Monticello coming to Edinburgh

Whiskey Rebellion 088: Mueller's Antecedents

More than a week ago, Bob Mueller delivered his report to Attorney General William Barr. While we wait (impatiently) to read it, Frank and David discuss the antecedents to the Mueller Report, including the Warren Commission Report, the Tower Commission Report, the Starr Report, the Nye Committee Report, etc. 

Last Drops

Frank: Tartan Day in NYC and Nike "Lost Cause" ad

David: Historian trading cards and White Flag art exhibit

Shameless Self Promotion: David's new book, Raising the White Flag is now available for sale. 

Whiskey Rebellion: Special Episode with Joanne Freeman

Joined by some Edinburgh postgrads and special guests, Frank and David talk with Joanne Freeman after her Fennell Lecture at the University of Edinburgh. In a free-wheeling conversation, they discuss:

• Writing Field of Blood
• Working on Backstory
• Being a historian on Twitter

 

 

Whiskey Rebellion 087: Getting In or Getting Caught

Earlier this week, the FBI arrested more than 50 people in connection with a university admissions fraud scheme. Frank and David discuss the history of university admissions, including:

• How Thomas Jefferson got into William & Mary
• How the SAT changed admissions in unforseen ways
• How the Supreme Court said race could be a factor in admissions, but prohibited quotas

Last Drops

Frank: Fennell Postdoc in American History at Edinburgh

David: Captain Marvel

Whiskey Rebellion 086: Alice's Restaurant

In the past two weeks, courts in Texas and New Jersey have ruled that the Selective Service's rule that only men must register is unlawful. Frank and David discuss the history of military conscription, including:

• How issues of class and privilege have often divided Americans over the draft
• Why the draft in Vietnam was so controversal
• Why Americans still register, even with an all volunteer military

Last Drops

Frank: University of Edinburgh recruiting tour across the US and Canada

David: SASA thanks, and Tara Westover's Educated

PS. If the episode's title seems obscure, listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM&t

 

Whiskey Rebellion 085: National Emergency

A week ago, President Trump declared a national emergency to fund his border wall. Frank and David discuss how presidents have used executive power during emergencies and what limits executive power has, including:

• Ex parte Merryman
• Youngstown Steel case
• 1976 National Emergency Act

Last Drops

Frank: Obama Presidential Library without a library

David: Freedom on the Move

Whiskey Rebellion 084: Historical Miseducation

Three topics this week:

• VA Governor Ralph Northam's statement that the Africans brought to Virginia in 1619 were indentured servants
• President Trump's reference to the Trail of Tears in a Tweet about Elizabeth Warren
• Eric Alterman's article in the New Yorker "The Decline of Historical Thinking"

Last Drops

Frank: Edinburgh history alumni

David: "The Savage Curtain" episode of Star Trek from 1969 (in honor of Lincoln's birthday)