A Blog Exploring American History and Politics
George Washington
The Compromise of 1850
Upon President Zachary Taylor taking office, he sent a message to Congress deploring the sectionalism that was pervading the country. See David Potter, The Impending Crisis: America Before the Civil War, 1848-1861, 91. He looked to George Washington’s warnings against “characterizing parties by geographical discriminations,” which appeared by 1849 to be a prescient warning. Id. citing James D. Richardson, […]
MoreThe Theories of Slavery
In the 15 years leading up to the Civil War, a wide variety of theories emerged for how the federal government should deal with slavery expanding, or not expanding, into the territories acquired by the United States.
MoreConstitution Sunday: George Washington to Bushrod Washington
George Washington to Bushrod Washington Mount Vernon, November 10, 1787 Following are excerpts from George Washington’s letter to Bushrod Washington: “Dear Bushrod: In due course of Post, your letters of the 19th. and 26th. Ult. came to hand and I thank you for the communications therein; for a continuation in matters of importance, I shall […]
MoreThe Inauguration of William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison, a Whig, won the White House in the election of 1840. In March 1841, for his inauguration, he stood in the cold and wind and spoke for an hour and a half. See Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought: Transformation of America, 1815-1848, 570.
MoreThe Decline of the Militia
From the War of 1812 on, for the next few decades, the use of militias would become less and less prominent in America.
MoreA First Test for Separation of Church and State
With the communications and transportation revolution came new, unforeseeable consequences. One such consequence was the spread of cholera and other contagious diseases, which would test the mettle of Americans.
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