The Whiskey Rebellion

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)

Whiskey Rebellion 083: Haunted by the Yearbook

Frank and David discuss the recent controversy over Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook. The discussion focuses on the history of blackface, with tangents on the history and cultural significance of yearbooks and Frank's hatred of Halloween. Plus Bugs Bunny in Southern Fried Rabbit.

Last Drops

Frank: Patriots victory in the Superbowl and upcoming Fennell Lecture with Joanne Freeman

David: fundraising at Bennett Colllege and SASA registration

Whiskey Rebellion 082: Brexit for Americans

With the Brexit deadline looming and no clear political solution in sight, Frank and David discuss how the UK got itself into this situation and try to provide some historical context.  British listeners should forgive our (okay, mostly David's) limited understanding of the nuances of UK politics.

Last Drops

Frank: Burns Suppers

David: Campaign to save Bennett College

Whiskey Rebellion 081: Rashomon on the Lincoln Memorial

In our 2nd anniversary episode, Frank and David discuss the incident last weekend at the Lincoln Memorial in which students from Covington Catholic High School came face-to-face with Native American activists. They tease out how this episode links to both contemporary politics and deep historical roots.

Last Drops

Frank: murals at Notre Dame

David: NPR Planet Money episode on 1879 shutdown, Backstory's 10th Anniversary, David & Ida's 23rd Anniversary.