Act 1: Wilson and the War We can’t really understand WWI in America without talking about Woodrow Wilson. And we can’t understand Woodrow Wilson without talking about Tommy Wilson, because that was actually his name. His dropped his first name “Thomas” when he decided that his middle name Woodrow was more distinguished. But personally, I …
Category: Season 3: U.S. History
US History Ep. 11 The Women’s Era or, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make It On This Podcast”
All right. The ladies of American history have been dancing on the edges of our narrative for about 200 years. I think it’s about time we gave them an episode of their own. Shall we? Today’s episode is all about The Women’s Era or, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make It On This Podcast.” We’re going to …
US History Ep. 10: The Progressive Era or, “No more thumbs in our meat, please!”
So we’ve reached the 20th century – finally! – and the U.S. overall is doing pretty well. Our economy is booming, we’ve got colonies now… the nation is doing well. But the people that live in the nation… most of them aren’t doing as great. Remember the Gilded Age? Uber capitalism on steroids with absolutely …
US History Ep. 9: Imperialism or, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps imperialism go down…”
Welcome back to Anti-Social Studies! Last episode we talked about the Gilded Age and it was dark. Like, Dickensian-level darkness: poverty, tiny child labor hands, fat corrupt politicians. But on the other hand, electricity! So it balances out, right? Today we’re not moving forward in time, but staying in the very end of the Gilded …
US History Ep. 8: The Gilded Age or, “Imagine Newsies… but no one’s dancing.”
Last episode we talked about the end of Reconstruction and the rise of the Jim Crow South. But don’t worry! Because today we’re traveling North to see the glitz and glamor of city life in the era of industrialization! Electric lights! Millionnaires! Skyscrapers! Oh yeah, and also poverty, inequality, and corruption. Dang it! Can’t we …
US History Ep. 7: The Postwar South or, “Reconstruction. Reconstruction!”
We left last episode on a cliffhanger. I know you’ve all been desperately waiting for two weeks wondering “Who will win the Civil War???” Well then, let’s get right to it! Today’s episode is all about the post-Civil War South or, “Reconstruction. Reconstruction!” (That’s a deep-cut Grease 2 reference right there. And if you already …
US History Ep. 6 The Civil War or, “Sorry I’m not Ken Burns!”
Welcome back to Anti-Social Studies! Last time we talked about sectionalism. The federal government kept putting off talking about the horrific question of slavery but, ultimately, it was an issue that had to be resolved one way or another. The growing tension and disagreements amongst various sections of the U.S. was only exacerbated by American …
US History Ep. 5 Sectionalism or, “Manifest Destiny’s Child”
Welcome back to Anti-Social Studies! OK. Real talk. If you’re listening to me right now then either your teacher is making you or you really like my podcast. Let’s be honest, anyone who’s stuck around through the War of 1812 and a whole episode on slavery is a true fan. So I want you to …
US History Ep. 4: Slavery or, “America’s Original Sin”
Welcome back to “a very special episode” of Anti-Social Studies! Remember when TV shows did that back in the 90s? There would be a “very special” episode of Boy Meets World where Shawn joined a cult. That’s not a joke. That was a real episode. But today we do actually have a special episode because, …
US History Ep. 3: The Early Republic or, “That Time We Invaded Canada!”
Welcome back to Anti-Social Studies! Last week we rebelled against the British! And won! Who saw that one coming? Today we’re looking at the first generation of American history. Like I said throughout season 1, winning a war or conquering a place is the easy part; governing is way harder. What challenges did our first …