History Comes Alive

After the Civil Wars, after Ireland and Scotland had been tamed, the focus turned to national governance. Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army were in control. The balance between Cromwell and Parliament was never met. There were several Parliaments called and dismissed. Although the Commonwealth had some successes at home and abroad, the people were miserable. It seems it had been easier to be the opposition than to lead. Cromwell's hold on power was total with the help of his Army. When he died, there was no one that could take his place... the Commonwealth was over... and Charles II was coming quickly. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The death of Charles I did not end the controversy or the terror in England. It did not end the controversy or terror in Ireland. It did not end the controversy or terror in Scotland. In fact, it may have just begun... In this episode, we look at the Irish Campaign of Oliver Cromwell with a brief overview of two of his most famous, or infamous, victories, through not only the lens of the historic narrative, but Cromwell's own words. It will set the stage for his final chapter and the Restoration of the Stuart line in England. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

After Charles fled London, it only got worse. There was trouble in England. There was trouble in Scotland. There was trouble in Ireland. The emergence of Oliver Cromwell changed the dynamics. The Scots had helped the Parliamentarians, but they were not as successful when it came to Charles. The New Model Army thrived. The Regicides did the unthinkable. In the end, Oliver Cromwell was in complete control... but there would be fallout. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

What do the Jay Treaty, the Logan Act, Fries' Rebellion, and the Alien and Sedition Acts have to do with this time? Are they all connected? We are taking a short break from our series on Charles I this week. Instead we will be discussing the XYZ Affair. The 1790s in America were almost as messy as the 1640s in England. There was trouble with both France and England. The United States had treaties with both nations, and those treaties conflicted. When the French Revolution wiped the Monarchy away, war with England was inevitable. The combination of the conflicting treaties and the expectation for the United States allegiance further divided American politics. When the French minister, Genet, tried to use the United States as a staging area for France to attack both England and Spain, there was resentment. When the French minister Talleyrand attempted to bribe the United States, there were calls for war... and there actually was a two year Quasi War fought from 1798-1800. President John Adams made a lot of mistakes during these tense years, but in the end, he may have saved the country. There are a lot of lessons here for our day. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

As 1641 rolled into 1642, there was a monumental political battle that took place in London. A political chess match that forever changed the English government. It would be the catalyst for change throughout the "Western" world. In the end, John Pym would force Charles I to flee England. John Pym's creativity and tenacity helped write the preamble for so many revolutions to come. For Charles, it was the beginning of the end. The actions in December and January would lead to 9 years of Civil War and the beheading of Charles I; the theater was better than fiction! In this episode, you are invited to watch this epic battle for control as it plays itself out. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

As Charles wrestled with the Scottish invasion and a necessary Parliament, the Irish rebelled and complicated everything. The Earl of Strafford, a trusted advisor, was in the crosshairs of John Pym. The politics of the 1640s was off to a roaring start! The walls seemed to be closing in on Charles; the world was changing, and every move was critical. Would he rise to the occasion, or would his pride and personal conviction get the better of him? Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Over the course of his reign, Charles I had made a lot of enemies. He managed to insult just about everybody at one time or another. Nothing compared to what happened with Scotland. This was a situation he had created that could not be ignored. They would not let it go. He needed help. He needed Parliament to raise the necessary funds to put down the rebellion. When he finally called a Parliament, it did not go well. They were quickly dismissed only to be called again a short time later. What he found was that Parliament was as unforgiving as the Scots. What he also found was his greatest rival, John Pym. Their political chess match would change the course of English Politics. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

King Charles found a way to survive without Parliament. He found creative ways to collect revenue. In spite of a round of plague, the 1630s were not so bad in England. But Charles found a way to aggravate not only the "system" but the people as well, in all levels of society. Once his work was done in England, he moved to Scotland. Taking direct aim at Presbyterian worship, he managed to unify the nation against him... there would be no appeasement. Charles and his Bishops had sparked a movement that would grow to a raging inferno... and he would get burned. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Perspective is a funny thing. Tricky. Charles I was never popular with Parliament. From the start, his autocratic approach was in direct conflict with the Parliamentarians. So, he dissolved Parliament for over a decade. To raise funds, he leaned on ancient and questionable taxes. Through Forced Loans and Ship Money, he managed to turn a lot of the people against him. What was the legality of these taxes? The question to ask is, was Charles the hero or the villain? Was he operating within the law or breaking it? From one of the illustrations we looked at, was he a "highwayman" or a "bastard"? Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

What happens when an autocratic Anglican King crosses a Puritan Parliament? Disaster. In this episode, we will introduce King Charles I with a short biography and a peek inside the lifestyle of this Scottish king. He was a totalitarian at heart. Parliament did not like his policies, his advisor (or Minister), or his wife. What happened was both predictable and tragic. What happened changed the course of English politics. In time, it would change the colonial landscape as well. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

As the English were solidifying their colonies in New England and the Caribbean, there remained a contested but largely unsettled area from the Chesapeake through Georgia. The Spanish and French had been there. But in the opening decades of the 17th Century, this area was all but abandoned. It opened the door for Jamestown in 1608. Later, the English crown would focus on Carolina. Charles I had first recognized the value of Carolina. Then came political unrest and the Civil War. After the Restoration, Charles II succeeded where his father had failed. In those days, "Carolina" basically represented today's North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Spain had claimed the region, operating out of Florida. The French had been removed, banished. The English would not be so easy to block; they'd move right in... and take over; the initial settlers came from Barbados. They brought their way of life with them, and that would shape the culture of the colony for centuries. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

With the growing relationship between New England and Barbados, the economy stabilized. The North to South trade benefited everybody. Sugar and rum seemed to share a co-monarchy. They were KINGS! The East to West trade across the Atlantic promised more. Men like Emanuel Downing, John Smith, and Thomas Keyser advanced the idea and practice of African Slavery. Men like Samuel Sewall challenged the growing slave industry. Despite his efforts, the practice grew. The profits and investment throughout the North American colonies quickly advanced local economies and industries throughout the colonies. The backbone of the colonial resources was built around sugar and rum. Many of the emerging commercial enterprises would have a major impact, not just in the days leading up to the American Revolution, but after. This episode sets the stage for the expansion of Carribean slave plantations to the mainland, the Navigation Acts, Writs of Assistance, targeted taxation, and how it had a ripple effect across the colonial landscape. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Once the relationship between the Puritan New England colonies and the their Puritan counterparts had begun, there was a lot of opportunity for both regions. One obstacle that had to be overcome was the temptation for northerners to relocate to the warmer south. The final voyage of Captain William Pierce would resolve any temptation for population migration on the part of the northern colonists. It was also one of the final solidifying events of Bostonian hegemony. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Puritan New England, more specifically, Massachusetts Bay, never experienced a lack of colonists. Their population exploded almost from the start. What they did experience was a lack of hard currency. Even with all the natural resources and commercial opportunities it took a while to establish a stable economy. With the advent of trade between Boston and the Caribbean the economy took off. Although there were a lot of connections between the Northern colonies and their Southern counterparts, it took the vision and actions of one man to make these connections work for the financial advantage of New England. That man was Captain William Pierce. In this episode we'll meet Captain Pierce, a most remarkable and influential man who has been largely lost to history. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

As Puritan New England's population grew, they needed a sustainable economy. They needed an industry that could build wealth. They needed a commodity and a currency. For a season, those needs were met by wampum and fur. Although that economy would fail, it, like the initial trade triangle of codfish and wool, would help to stabilize their growing society for a time. It was a most necessary stop-gap that helped to carry them until trade routes were developed that brought hard currency, gold, and silver to the colony. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

They say necessity is the key to invention. The English colonies had needs. They were very resourceful. As we develop the Puritan economy, we want to begin by asking some basic questions. How would you build an economy from scratch? What would you do if you had limited access to hard currency but needed commodities? Is it enough to say you would use what you had? Puritan New England enjoyed a consistent influx of currency while the population exploded in the 1630s. But those resources were not enough to grow an economy, let alone sustain it. And, eventually, they slowed to a trickle. In this episode, we will talk about the emergence of Triangular Trade. A system that not only saved the New England Colonies, but helped to build them into one of the most powerful, dynamic economies of their day. The demands for codfish and wool across the Atlantic may have been just a stop gap, but it launched a shipping empire. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

How do you process and apply history? What do you really know about history in the first place? ...just trivia, or deep understanding that impacts your beliefs and actions? What's the purpose of government? ...and how does your understanding of history impact how you answer that question? Jeff joins Doug Stuart of the Libertarian Christian Podcast to answer these questions and more. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Mercantilism was the theory that drove colonial economic activity. In today's episode, we will introduce its core concepts and how it functions. We'll view this definition through two historical examples: Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Colbert and The Boston Tea Party. These are like bookends to the larger conversation. Colbert on the left, to begin the conversation. The Boston Tea Party on the right, to end the conversation. It's a little different consideration than we are used to, but necessary for our narrative. As we move forward in the weeks ahead, we will fill in that middle portion where all the action took place. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

How is wealth created? Who is in charge of the mechanisms for building wealth? Much of what we consider the study of history is really the study of applied economic policies. In this episode, we focus on the contemporary systems we are all familiar with, at least in a trivial sense. Our main focus is Capitalism, but we will talk about other "isms" as well. The goal is to prepare for conversations about the political economics of the Puritans. They would not recognize the systems we have today. Mercantilism was emerging as a replacement for feudalism. It was a precursor to Capitalism. It was also its antithesis. To really understand what it was, it's a good idea to have something to compare it to. Understanding these principles helps us to understand and apply history in our own lives... in more areas than just finance, as we'll see. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The topic of education is a HUGE deal, and it has massive implications. What does it mean to be educated? What value does education bring to a society? Does literacy matter? How focused should society be around the education of its young? Many of the aspects of Puritan education have been lost. Their strict and determined process would make many of us uncomfortable today. But their system worked. It created more than just a literate population. It catapulted their small isolated community above their contemporaries. We may dismiss much of the specifics, but we ought to revisit the model. The fundamental question for our generation is: What are we getting out of the system we have today? Is this really the best we can do? How does a society prepare their children when the educational system has lost its vision, its mandate to prepare the next generation to understand the world they live in? Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Puritan missions in New England were slow to start. Once they did, it became difficult to know where sincere evangelism ended and politics began. John Eliot received a lot of help to launch his missionary work, but there was a lot of controversy surrounding those efforts. In this episode, we will explore some of those controversies. They can tell us a lot about how deception can bring power and how that power can be wielded. Puritan missions in New England were slow to start. Once they did, it became difficult to know where sincere evangelism ended and the politics began. John Eliot received a lot of help to launch his missionary work. But there was a lot of controversy surrounding those efforts. In this episode, we will explore some of those controversies. They can tell us a lot about how deception can bring power and how that power can be yielded. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

If there is a sincere desire to succeed, one will often look to those who have already succeeded for guidance. Thomas Mayhew had been successful in missions. John Eliot and Massachusetts Bay did not look to Thomas Mayhew's example. His had been genuine. Instead, their commitment became political. It was through deception and determination that Puritan New England launched their missionary efforts. In this episode, we'll see the opening vollies of Puritan missions in New England. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In the wake of so many controversies, there arose one more for the Puritan Oligarchy. This was in their wheelhouse and presumably should have been a slam dunk. It wasn't. The missionary efforts of The United Colonies, led by John Eliot, was marred with political intrigue and disappointing results. The records, the sentiments from those who were there, and the numeric results are a testimony not to doctrine, but to approach. Sometimes, the old adage really is true, "It's not what you say, but how you say it." In this two-part episode, we'll measure the efforts of John Eliot on the backdrop of Thomas Mayhew's work on Martha's Vineyard and the political activity of the Magistrates. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Massachusetts Bay had been eyeing Narragansett Bay for a long time. They had been positioning themselves to absorb it. They were invited to come. Then they overreached. They scared the people that had invited them. They created a political firestorm. A legal firestorm that would be carried across the Atlantic. Although they won many battles and wrote the popular history of their day, they would not win this battle... Rhode Island would not be theirs. Join us and find out what happened! Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In a post-Pequot world, in a post-Miantonomo world, Narragansett Bay and all of Rhode Island was a coveted piece of property. The Puritans wanted it. All the Puritan groups. Even though they had formed the United Colonies, a formidable power block, they were still acting independently in their quest for land and treasure. Massachusetts Bay had the resources and manpower, not to mention the savvy, to frame the argument and control the narrative. Only one man really stood in their way. That man was Samuel Gorton. His one-man crusade to stand up to the magistrates of Massachusetts Bay opened the door to liberty for many people. He accomplished what many strong men and women could not: he beat the Magistrates of Massachusetts Bay at their own game. Check it out! Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Using the same playbook as with Sassacus, the English destroyed Miantonomo. Nobody is perfect, but he appears to have tried to accommodate and appease his English counterparts repeatedly. Even at the expense of his own culture and reputation. It did not change the outcome. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In part three of our Trilogy on the Philosophy that drives the podcast "History Comes Alive", we will distill down the two questions: "What is the role of government?" and "What do you really know about American History?" into application. How do you process the history that you know? Does it move you to action? Are your opinions and emotions driven by your knowledge of history? Your convictions? What does that look like? How can history inspire us? Is the exercise of conviction mere mechanics, or is it utilitarian? Finally, what can Abraham Lincoln teach us about the knowledge, understanding, and application of history? Let's develop answers to these questions together. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Last week we asked the question, "What's the Purpose of Government?" This week, we'll expand some of the principles we discussed and move the conversation forward. What do you really know about American History? Like last week, the idea behind the question is more philosophical than specific. Last week, we distilled the question down to two primary considerations, personal interest and personal rights. This week, we'll talk about the concepts of trivia and real knowledge. With the help of Socrates, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, we will build a philosophical framework to help us as we move forward with the colonial narrative in just a few weeks. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

As we move past the pivotal Pequot War and more toward the development of the New England Colonies, we are going to take a few weeks and begin to develop an outline of the philosophical approach to government, from my perspective, under our current order, The Constitution of the United States of America. Thumbnail sketches. Fragments of thoughts that outline what we ended up with as a Federal Government. We will begin to fill in these outlines with color over the next year or two with colonial experiences and examples. So we begin with the question: What's the purpose of government? I hope you enjoy this brief field trip away from the actual narrative. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

It would seem reasonable that after the massacre at Mystic the remaining Pequots would have been able to simply escape into the landscape and slowly be absorbed into other native groups. They weren't. The English goal had shifted. They wanted to completely erase the Pequot name from the list of nations. Their efforts were relentless, and the results were tragic. Join us for a look at the final days of the Pequot nation. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In the aftermath of a very lopsided English victory over the Pequots at Mystic, the English were forced to make a hasty retreat. Most of their native support abandoned them. The Pequots rallied, and the English fled. Sassacus, the main sachem of the Pequots did not fare much better. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

What does total war look like? Can a people suffer the effects of total war and survive? Can their will to continue be crushed? What if they still have fighting power and ability? As we work through the massacre at Mystic, you be the judge. Were the actions taken justified? How would you have felt during the battle? In the aftermath? As an Englishmen? As a Narragansett or Mohegan? As a Pequot? You be the judge. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

They say a house divided against itself cannot stand. Well, the Pequots in 1637 were one such house. We've developed a working model of their last several years as far as relationships to other people. We've seen how the Europeans had first traded with them and then tried to subvert their power and influence. We've talked about the Narragansetts and both groups of Niantics. We talked about the debilitating effect the smallpox epidemic had had on their population. Lastly, we talked about the murder of Tatobem, their main sachem, and Sassacus, his son and successor. He was not his equal when it came to leadership and the building of consensus, which is how the natives governed -- not by authoritarian or totalitarian rule, but consensus. The main sachemship was kind of dynastic, in that it was not unusual that it followed familial lines, but the true leaders arose through both a reputation for good decision making and the ability to form a consensus around important decisions. Although the leadership would normally stay in the bloodline, a change at the top could be a little messy... especially if that change came rapidly, with many "legitimate" claims. That's what we'll look at today... the enemy within. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The Pequots made a statement when they attacked Wethersfield. The Englishmen responded. It took a while for them to get on the same page, but eventually they did. Massachusetts Bay was the first to declare war, but Connecticut was the first to truly mobilize. They had no choice. The war would be fought on their soil. As the initial party under John Mason was leaving for Saybrook, they were joined by an unlikely group. Uncas arrived with a motley band of various native groups with the intent to assist the English...he had his own motives...but he proved himself to be a valuable asset and friend...many times over. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The Pequots had been treated unfairly by both the English and, to a lesser extent, the Dutch, for a long time. What would happen if the Pequots fought back? This week we'll see what happened at Wethersfield when the Pequots struck. We'll also examine why they struck when they did. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

After a long lonely winter, Saybrook began to get the attention of both Massachusetts Bay and the other Connecticut settlements. How did that work? What were the motives? The Europeans had a very different mindset from the natives. Where did that come from? Was their collective world view and understanding of authority based on Niccolo Machiavelli? In this episode, we'll explore these questions. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The winter of 1636-7 was a long and dangerous time for the folks at Saybrook Fort. Under siege and isolated. With the arrival of Thomas Stanton there would be one more meeting between the English at Saybrook and the Pequots. Stanton would be the interpreter. It did not go well. Who was Thomas Stanton, and what was his impact? What happened at the final Parlay? That's what we'll find out this week as we continue the march to total war. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

What were the conditions at Saybrook Fort? What did Edward Gibbon think about Saybrook and Lion Gardiner? Who were Thomas Hurlbut, Thomas Ramble, and Arthur Branch? What roles did they play in the Battle of the Burning Fields? These questions and more will be answered in this episode of History Comes Alive! Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

What happens when you push a people too far? Who pays the price when the agitators come from far away, but leave their countrymen to deal with their actions? What is the value of having a trained military leader at these points? What happens if that trained military leader is ignored? Who was Matthew Mitchell? Find out in this episode of History Comes Alive! Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

With the success of Roger Williams, the magistrates of Massachusetts Bay took the lead role in securing not just the neutrality of the Narragansetts in the coming war with the Pequots. They took the lead in securing Narragansett support. Full support on both offensive and defensive actions. Thus securing not only a powerful ally in the war to come, but also ensuring Boston and Plymouth were well protected. The war would be fought in distant Connecticut and not where the agitators lived. In this episode we'll find out how this change of heart occurred within the Narragansett camp? Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

After the failed Saybrook Conference and expedition of John Endecott the English concern was growing. That concern was quelled from an unlikely source: Roger Williams. The recently exiled preacher would help to set the course for Puritan dominance for generations. Williams skillfully navigated the tough waters of both the current controversy revolving around the Pequots but also the persistent reputation of the English in general. Williams was masterful! Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The Conference at Saybrook had failed. The Block Island expedition had not yielded the results John Endecott had hoped for. Now, against the better judgement of Lion Gardiner, he would take his men and his mission to the heart of Pequot Country. He would again fail to accomplish his intended goals. Instead of humbling the Pequots, he provoked them into aggression... and the Connecticut region would never be the same. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

The Conference at Saybrook had failed. As far as the English were concerned, the time for diplomacy was passed. The Pequots were the designated enemy, but the Easter Niantics would also have to be put in their place. John Endicott was dispatched to dispense English justice. Block Island was his first stop. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

After the failure of the Saybrook Conference, the Pequots were even more isolated. Their options were limited. They were victims of paranoia and covetousness. It seems nothing they did helped to advance their cause, or the cause of peace. The rumors of Pequot viciousness toward the English never materialized. What the Narragansetts did, and the English conclusion, demonstrates the Pequots were playing a game they would never be allowed to win...the true nature and rational of the murder of John Oldham may never be fully known. In this episode we will examine some of the facts that we do know of these events. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

After the murder of John Stone, the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay came to terms with the Pequot Nation through an agreement known as The Treaty of 1634. The terms definitively favored the English. They took full advantage of the provisions afforded them. Within two years, they were very well established in Connecticut. If nothing else, they were determined. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In 1633 the seemingly invincible Pequot Nation suddenly found themselves dealing with multiple crises. Their stable leadership was gone. Their commanding population was eroding. The world was changing and they had real enemies. One group they had not had a lot of interaction with was the English...but that was about to change...the chain reaction that was set in motion when the Dutch established The House of Good Hope would prove to be disastrous. Their troubles really began with the death of John Stone. Show Notes for Ep. 36 Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Who were the Pequots, and what happened to them? In this episode, we will be introduced to the Pequot nation. They enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. Where did they come from? What were the dynamics that drove their world? Show Notes for Ep. 35 Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

John Underhill had really done it all. After his arrival in 1630, he was very active for whomever he was working for at any given time. In his later years, living under Dutch rule, he maintained an unusual flair for public service and controversy. In our final episode looking at the life of Captain John Underhill we'll find out that he lived more life in his twilight years than many could imagine. Whether you love him or hate him, John Underhill led a fascinating life. It was better than fiction. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

John Underhill lived enough for two men while serving the New England colonies. It was not enough. In the 1640s he left his English responsibilities behind and began an aggressive military campaign against many of the native groups located in New Netherland. Like his time in the service of the English Puritans, this was a bloody, violent time. John Underhill is the embodiment of that certain type of person almost every growing and expanding society needs. Those willing to do the dirty work behind the scenes. His hands would be blood red once again. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

We have been developing the advent of Puritan society in New England. We have met several characters and worked through several events that helped to establish Puritan dominance. In today's episode, we are going to take a detour and introduce some of the events and people that were directly involved in the American Revolution. We are going to fast forward over 100 years and talk about The French and Indian War, it's provocation, and it's conclusion. We'll also introduce George III in a way you may not have thought about him. These are three short blogs presented together that we think will draw a good framework for future episodes. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

John Underhill had an interesting life. There always seems to be a bigger than life aspect to his experiences. He was a part of some of the biggest controversies in Puritan New England. His service in New Netherland would be just as controversial. The backstory to his arrival is fascinating. He truly was a unique man for a unique time. In this episode we'll examine the rapidly changing atmosphere in the Dutch colony that precipitated John Underhill's arrival. Buckle your seat belt; the narrative will move pretty quickly. Audio Production by Podsworth Media.