The Ashbrook Center and TeachingAmericanHistory.org seek to provide high-quality content-focused programs, resources, and courses for teachers of American History, Government, Civics, and related subjects. Students, citizens, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the American experience can a…
TAH's last Documents in Detail episode for the 21-22 school year, focusing in a document that is both a piece of Congressional history, and an event that shaped policy, "The Revolt of 1910 Against Speaker Joseph Cannon." This program took place at 7pm ET on Wednesday, 18 May 2022, and featured Dr. John Moser as moderator; Dr. Joseph Postell, the volume editor; and Dr. Sarah Burns.
Our last Saturday Webinar for the 21-22 school year took place on 14 May 2022. It was also the final episode in our five-episode series on the Populists and Progressives. Download Dr. Jason Jividen's volume here, and access the focus readings for Saturday's program. Dr. Chris Burkett - Ashland University Dr. Jason Jividen - St. Vincent College Dr. John Moser - Ashland University Suggested Readings: Theodore Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" speech FDR's Commonwealth Club Address LBJ's "Great Society" speech Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address Learn more at tah.org
Our Documents in Detail webinar for April 20th, 2022 focused on Daniel Patrick Moynihan's "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." This document is drawn from our Slavery and Its Consequences Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Peter Myers, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Dr. David Tucker, The Ashbrook Center
TAH's Saturday Webinar for 2 April 2022, and the fourth in our Populists and Progressives series for Spring 2022. This episode focused on the changing views on and understandings of democracy, republicanism, and the structural and legal limits placed on government, through the lens of the populists and progressives. Download your free copy of our Populists and Progressive Core Documents Collection here! Panelists: Chris Burkett, Ashland University Scott Yenor, Boise State John Dinan, Wake Forest Suggested Readings: The New Nationalism , Theodore Roosevelt, 31 AUG 1910 The Right of the People to Rule, Theodore Roosevelt, 20 MAR 1912 "The Constitution a Reactionary Document," J. Allen Smith, 31 DEC 1907 Learn more at tah.org
Our Documents in Detail webinar for March 16th, 2022 focused on Harry Truman's Farewell Address. This document is drawn from our Cold War Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. David Hadley Dr. David Krugler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Learn more at tah.org
TAH.org's webinar from 5 March 2022, about the role and evolution of parties and candidate during the age of the Populists and Progressives. Panelists: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. David Krugler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dr. Eric Sands, Berry College Suggested Readings: Wanted - A Party, Woodrow Wilson, 1 SEP 1886 Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, George Washington Plunkitt, 1905 "The Right of the People to Rule," Theodore Roosevelt, 20 March 1912 The Progressive Party Platform, 7 August 1912
Our Documents in Detail webinar for February 16th, 2022 focused on FDR's "Four Freedoms" speech. This document is drawn from our World War 2 Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Jennifer Keene, Chapman University Dr. David Krugler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Our second Populists & Progressives webinar, focusing on their ideas about how the government should be active in economic affairs, to what extent, and for what reasons. This program took place on 5 February 2022 at 11am ET. Panelists: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. Jennifer Keene, Chapman University Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Suggested Readings: "The Inheritance of Property," Richard Ely, 31 July 1891 A Call to Action, James Weaver, 31 DEC 1892 Christianity and the Social Crisis, Walter Rauschenbusch, 31 DEC 1907 "Why Women Should Vote," Jane Addams, 31 JAN 1910 See the full show page here.
Our Documents in Detail webinar for January 19nd, 2022 focused on Frederick Douglass' "Half Slave-Half Free" speech. This document is drawn from our Reconstruction Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Peter Myers, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Dr. Scott Yenor, Boise State University
Following our "American Presidency" five-episode webinar series for Fall 2021, we are presenting five episodes, from January through May 2022, about the Populists and Progressives. Our first, aired live on 8 January 2022, at 11am ET, and was titled "What is a Progressive?" Panelists: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. Jason Jividen, Saint Vincent College Dr. David Alvis, Wofford College Suggested Readings: Charles Merriam, “Recent Tendencies” (1903) Herbert Croly, excerpt from The Promise of American Life (1909) Progressive Party Platform (1912) Woodrow Wilson, “What is Progress?” (1913) Frank Goodnow, “The American Conception of Liberty” (1916) Learn more here.
Our Documents in Detail webinar for December 15th, 2021 focused on Texas v. Johnson. This document was drawn from our Free Speech: Court Cases Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars Dr. David Krugler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dr. Joe Fornieri, Rochester Institute of Technology Dr. David Tucker, The Ashbrook Center
Ashbrook/TAH held a special webinar on Wednesday, 8 December about 10 little-known American heroes of the Second World War, all recipients of the Medal of Honor. Take some time to consider their sacrifices and character as you remember the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and America's involvement in the war. You can download a copy of the slideshow used in the program here. Suggested readings and movies are listed below. Band of Brothers, Stephen Ambrose D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War 2, Stephen Ambrose Citizen Soldiers, Stephen Ambrose Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944, Bill Sloan Letters from Iwo Jima Flags of our Fathers D-Day: The Total Story (DVD documentary; includes interviews with Walt Ehlers)
Our last Saturday Webinar for Fall 2021, and the capstone episode of our American Presidency series, during which we discussed the Modern Presidency - its powers, the expectations placed on the office, how it has evolved to this point, and how this squares with the Constitution. Panelists: Jeremy Gypton, Teacher Programs Manager, TAH.org Dr. Jeremy Bailey, University of Oklahoma Dr. Jordan Cash, Baylor University Suggested Readings: Madison on the Removal Power and his letter to Pendleton James Madison, 1789 Humphrey's Executor v. U.S. 1935 Brownlow Committee Report 1937 The Presidency in 1960, John F. Kennedy, 1960 McGover-Fraser Commission Report, 1971 Books Mentioned During the Program: Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents: The Politics of Leadership from Roosevelt to Reagan The Hidden-Hand Presidency: Eisenhower as Leader
Our Documents in Detail webinar for November 17th, 2021 focused on Judith Sargent Murray's 1790 "On the Equality of the Sexes." This document is drawn from our Gender and Equality Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. Scholars: Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Sarah Morgan Smith Dr. Cara Rogers, Ashland University
The fourth episode in our Fall 2021 American Presidency webinar series took place on 6 November 2021, from 11am-12:15pm Eastern Time. In this episode we discussed the interactions between and evolution of the balance of power between the presidency and the courts, especially the United States Supreme Court. Learn more here.
Our Documents in Detail webinar for October 20th, 2021 focused on Abraham Lincoln's 1854 Peoria Speech, given in response to repeal of the Missouri Compromise. This document was drawn from our Causes of the Civil War Core Documents Collection, which you can download free as a PDF. This one-hour program will air live at 7pm ET. All attendees of the live show will receive a printable certificate for continuing education, and will be able to ask questions of our panelists via Zoom's Q&A function. Scholars Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Dan Monroe, Millikin University Dr. Jason Stevens, Ashland University
The third episode in the Fall 2021 American Presidency Saturday Webinar series, in which our scholars examined the president's emergency, war and foreign policy powers. The program aired live on Saturday, 2 OCT 21 from 11am-12:15pm ET. Panelists: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. Sarah Burns, Rochester Institute of Technology Dr. Stephen Knott, United States Naval War College Suggested Readings: Helvidius-Pacificus Debate Lincoln's Special Message to Congress War Powers Act and Nixon's Veto 2001 John Yoo Memorandum on Presidential Authority Learn more at tah.org/programs
Our Documents in Detail webinar for September 22nd, 2021 focused on Albert Beveridge's “March of the Flag” speech from 1898. This document is drawn from our Westward Expansion Core Documents Collection. Scholars Dr. David Krugler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dr. Will Atto, University of Dallas Dr. David Tucker, The Ashbrook Center Learn more here.
Part 2 of our Fall 2021 series on the American Presidency, which aired live at 11am ET on Saturday, 11 SEP 21. This 75-minute webinar featured a discussion between scholars about the relationship between Congress and the President. Scholars: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. David Alvis, Wofford College Dr. Joe Postell, Hillsdale College Suggested Readings: Federalist 51, 1788 On the Source of Executive Power, 1913, 1916 FDR's First Inaugural, 1933 Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v Sawyer, 1952
Our final episode in this three-part special podcast series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, in which Michael Hurley, former CIA Officer and member of the 9/11 Commission, describes and offers insights about the fallout of the attacks on American policy and life. Suggested Additional Readings: When Government Writes History, Ernest May, 2005 9/11 Commission Report Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001, Steve Coll
In observance of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, TeachingAmericanHistory interviewed Michael Hurley, former CIA officer and member of the 9/11 Commission, to talk about the causes of the attacks, September 11th itself, and the fallout of that day. In this episode Michael discussed the day itself, with insight into the immediate reactions by various government agencies and individuals, along with some personal anecdotes.
In observance of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, TeachingAmericanHistory interviewed Michael Hurley, former CIA officer and member of the 9/11 Commission, to talk about the causes of the attacks, September 11th itself, and the fallout of that day. In this episode Michael discussed the causes, long and short-term, of the September 11th terror attacks.
https://youtu.be/RyzktkmH0vE Our first Saturday Webinar for the 21-22 school year, and the first in our five-episode Fall 2021 series about the American Presidency took place on 21 AUG 21. This first episode examined the "Executive Power" granted to the president in the Constitution, and what it means, how it's been understood over the years, and how it has evolved. This free webinar aired live on Saturday, 21 August 2021 at 11am Eastern Time, for 75 minutes. Access the archives of this episode on our YouTube channel and We The Teachers podcast. Suggested readings, drawn from TAH.org's American Presidency Core Documents Collection: Selections from The Federalist Cato IV, 1787 Remarks on the Removal Power, James Madison, 1789 Speeches on the Removal Power, Henry Clay, 1833, 1834 Letter to Albert Hodges, Abraham Lincoln, 1864 Scholars: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. Jeremy Bailey, University of Oklahoma Dr. Ben Kleinerman, Baylor University
Our first Documents in Detail webinar for the 21-22 school year took place on Wednesday, 18 August, at 7pm ET, and focused on the “List of Prints to Illustrate British Cruelties.” Part of a volume assembled for use by Ben Franklin in France in 1779, the never-published work was intended to illustrate atrocities committed by the British against the American colonists. Despite that fact that it was not used, it provides an interesting inside view on how the protracted war actually undermined British efforts. Learn more here.
From 17 March 2021, this program consists of a discussion between Drs. Jeff Sikkenga and Chris Burkett, both of Ashland University, about James Madison's impact on the the creation of the Constitution, and its understanding since.
TAH.org's special webinar for 13 March 2021, about the ideas, agreement, and disagreements between Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. This is the first in our summer 'bridge' podcasts, which will be published in June and July, while our two regular series are on hiatus.
Our final Documents in Detail episode for the 2020-21 school year, and our last in our 'Selections from the 50 Core Documents' series, in this episode we looked into Frederick Douglass' 1876 oration on Abraham Lincoln, providing us an inside view of the great abolitionist's thoughts on Lincoln as a man, and the man's legacy. This program aired place live on 12 May at 7pm Eastern Time. Scholars: Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Joe Fornieri, Rochester Institute of Technology Dr. Peter Myers, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Read the document here.
The last in our 'Remember the Ladies' webinar series for Spring 2021, broadcast live on 1 May 21. Learn more here.
Our April episode of Documents in Detail, focused on Abraham Lincoln’s Resolution Submitting the 13th Amendment to the States, and was attended by over 160 people. Panelists: Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. Elizabeth Amato, Gardner-Webb University Dr. Andrew Lang, Mississippi State University Learn more at TAH.org.
Our webinar for 10 April 2021, about American social and political reformer, Fannie Lou Hamer. Access the documents mentioned and books suggested during the program here.
Our Documents in Detail webinar for 17 March 2021 focused on Abraham Lincoln's Final Emancipation Proclamation. Released on 1 January 1863, it legally freed all slaves in states and areas still in rebellion, and paved the way for permanent abolition of the institution of slavery. Learn more here.
Dr. John Moser of Ashland University discusses three of our newest Core Documents Collections with the scholar editors who assembled them. Learn about what it took to put these volumes together, and where you can get your copies. Dr. Jeff Sikkenga - Supreme Court Cases Dr. Ken Masugi - Religious Liberty Court Cases Dr. Joe Fornieri - Free Speech
The fourth in our 'Remember the Ladies' series of Saturday Webinars for Spring 2021, focusing on the suffrage movement leader. Learn more at the episode's home page.
TAH has published almost 20 Core Documents collections over the last few years - all of which are available for free download as PDFs - each assembled by one of our graduate faculty members. We recently conducted a roundtable discussion of four editors, facilitated by Dr. John Moser. You can listen to this 68-minute discussion of the volumes, and our political history, in this special episode. Scholar bios and volume links are below. Dr. John Moser - The Great Depression and New Deal Dr. Jeremy Bailey - The American Presidency Dr. Joseph Postell - Congress Dr. Eric Sands - Political Parties
Our Documents in Detail webinar for 17 February 2021 focused on Confederate States of America Alexander Stephens' 1861 "Cornerstone" speech, in which he explained the real reasons for Southern secession, confederation, and choice for war against the Union. Learn more here.
Ida B. Wells was a journalist, educator, and early Civil Rights leader, making her mark in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Born into slavery (and freed by the Emancipation Proclamation at only a few months' age), she went on to co-own a newspaper for which she also wrote, investigating and spotlighting racial violence and segregation. We focused on Wells' life and work during our Saturday Webinar on 6 FEB 21, held from 11am ET - 12:15 ET. Access the original readings here.
On 27 JAN 2021 Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, Professor of Political Science at Ashland University, discussed early American history with Dr. Lynne Cheney, author of the new book "The Virginia Dynasty: Four Presidents and the Creation of the American Nation." In this one-hour discussion they talked about the early American Republic and the impact of the personalities and policies on our history.
Our first DiD webinar for 2021, which aired live on 20 JAN 21, was about Andrew Jackson's message explaining his veto of the National Bank bill. See the document here, and access the archive page (with YouTube recording) here.
In commemoration of Martin Luther King, jr. Day, 2021, Teaching American History presented this one-hour webinar about the ideas and legacy of Frederick Douglass, America's greatest abolitionist, and certainly one of its greatest civil rights leaders. You can access our collection of Frederick Douglass documents here.
Our first SatWeb for 2021, and also the first in our Spring '21 series, "Remember the Ladies," this time focusing on Sarah and Angelina Grimke, the 19th Century American social activists and abolitionists. Read the recommended documents here.
In this episode, Jeremy discusses the use of original documents with Julia Fuette, MAHG graduate and online teacher for Veritas Scholars Academy and Mt. San Jacinto College, in partnership with Vista Murrieta High School. The discussion focused on the following two documents, and Julia was kind enough to share her guided reading sheet for them. Letter to R. Lushington, John Jay, 15 March 1786 Fragment on the Constitution and Union, Abraham Lincoln, January 1861 Guided Reading Packet
The last Documents in Detail webinar for 2020, which aired live on 16 DEC 2020, and focused on John C. Calhoun's "Fort Hill Address," which laid the foundation for some of the arguments for the protection of slavery and secession in later decades. Our panelists were: Dr. John Moser, Ashland University Dr. John Dinan, Wake Forest University Dr. Lauren Hall, Rochester Institute of Technology Learn more about our Documents in Detail webinars here.
To mark the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dr. Jeff Sikkenga and Dr. John Moser talked about the attack and America's ensuing entry into World War 2.
TAH.org partnered with the Missouri Humanities Council to present two special webinars about the role of religion and the American church in reform movements. The second, took place on 8 DEC 2020 at 7pm CT, and focused on the role of religion in the post-WW2 Civil Rights Movement. The program consisted of a conversation between Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and professor of Political Science at Ashland University, and Dr. Melissa Matthes, of United States Coast Guard Academy. Suggested Readings: “Love Your Enemies” Sermon, Martin Luther King, Jr., 17 NOV 1957 Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr., 16 April 1963 A Time to Break Silence, Martin Luther King, Jr., 4 APR 1967 The Bullet or the Ballot, Malcolm X, 3 APR 1964 Last Interviews and Answers, Malcolm X
The was the final episode in our "Enduring American Questions" webinar series, for Fall 2020, and focused on the New Deal, and various arguments on its effectiveness in ending - or perhaps instead extending - the Great Depression. Suggested Readings: Letter to Senator Simeon Fess, Herbert Hoover, 21 FEB 1933 An Open Letter to President Roosevelt, John Maynard Keynes, 15 DEC 1933 "Social Insurance for U.S.," Frances Perkins, 25 FEB 1935 Social Economics of the New Deal, Adolf A. Berle, Jr., 29 OCT 1933 Panelists: Dr. Chris Burkett, Ashland University Dr. Jennifer Keene, Chapman University Dr. John Moser, Ashland University
TAH.org partnered with the Missouri Humanities Council to present this special webinar about the role of religion and the American church in reform movements. This episode focused on the role of religion in the pre-Civil War abolition movement. The program consisted of a conversation between Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and professor of Political Science at Ashland University, and Dr. Dan Monroe, of Millikin University. Suggested Readings: American Anti-Slavery Society, Declaration of Sentiments, William Lloyd Garrison, 6 DEC 1833 The American Union, William Lloyd Garrison, 10 JAN 1845 American Slavery, Frederick Douglass, 22 OCT 1847 "Cornerstone" Speech, Alexander Stephens, 21 MAR 1861
Our Documents in Detail episode for Wednesday 17 November 2020 focused on two short pieces from Thomas Jefferson: his letters to John Holmes and Henry Lee. Our panel consisted of Dr. John Moser, of Ashland University; Dr. Robert McDonald of the United States Military Academy at West Point; and Dr. Cara Rogers, of Ashland University. Learn more at tah.org
This episode in our "Enduring American Questions" Saturday Webinar series will air live on 7 November 2020, from 11am-12:15 EST. Our panelists will discuss the fundamental differences in the Founders' and Progressives' vision for the role, reach, and powers of government, and how each viewed the political process in light of those ideas. This is essential information for teachers of American History and Government. Learn more here.
TAH.org's Documents in Detail webinar for 21 OCT 2020, focusing on James Madison's essay "Property." Dr. John Moser, of Ashland University, was joined by Dr. Chris Burkett, also of Ashland University, and Dr. Elizabeth Amato, of Gardner-Webb University.
Our archive of TAH.org's 3 October 2020 webinar, featuring a discussion of the true causes of the Civil War – was it really all about slavery, or something else? Suggested Readings: Fort Hill Address, John C. Calhoun, 26 July 1831 The Constitution of the United States: Is it Pro-Slavery or Anti-Slavery?, Frederick Douglass, 26 MAR 1860 South Carolina’s Declaration of the Causes of Secession, 24 DEC 1860 Mississippi Declaration of Secession, 9 JAN 1861 First Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, 4 MAR 1861 “Cornerstone” Speech, Alexander Stephens, 12 MAR 1861 Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, 4 MAR 1865
The archive of our 23 SEP 20 webinar in which we looked at James Madison’s Speech on the Amendments to the Constitution, from 8 June 1789, wherein the “Father of the Constitution” added, some scholars would argue, “Father of the Bill of Rights” to his titles.