Mark R. Cheathem African American history, Oscars, Slavery, Solomon Northup

From Life to Film: Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave

If you watched the Oscars last night, you are aware that Twelve Years a Slave won Best Picture. I have used Solomon Northup's narrative in my first-year U.S. survey courses on a couple of occasions, but the availability of the movie will probably force me to retire it as an option. Still, it's an engrossing story, … Continue reading From Life to Film: Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Nullification

A Modern-Day Conundrum for Andrew Jackson

Would he protect his guns or support the enforcement of constitutional laws? Missouri senators endorsed legislation on Tuesday that seeks to nullify U.S. gun restrictions and send federal agents to jail for enforcing such laws, though the measure would likely face a court challenge if it gets approved in the state. Courts have consistently ruled … Continue reading A Modern-Day Conundrum for Andrew Jackson

Mark R. Cheathem Tennessee, Tennessee history

Does Tennessee’s New History Bill Employ Historical Thinking ?

The Tennessee General Assembly is currently considering a bill that appears to emphasize a specific political agenda in the teaching of history in the state's public schools. The version of the bill passed by the state senate says: Generally, present law requires the textbook commission to recommend textbooks to the state board of education for use … Continue reading Does Tennessee’s New History Bill Employ Historical Thinking ?

Mark R. Cheathem 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr.

After King’s Death

One of my mentors at my previous institution was Eleanor Dunfey-Freiburger. She held the Christos and Mary Papoutsy Endowed Chair in Business Ethics (since renamed and repurposed) and also served as director of the Faculty Center for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. Eleanor's background is fascinating. One of the stories that I heard circulated on campus was that following Martin … Continue reading After King’s Death

Mark R. Cheathem Books, Writing advice

The Evolution of a Book, Pt. 15: Promoting Your Book

(Previous entries in this series: Pts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) In August, I wrote my last entry in this series on developing a marketing plan for your book. Having implemented many of those ideas, I wanted to give some insight into what has and hasn't worked for me so far. Once I had a pretty firm idea of … Continue reading The Evolution of a Book, Pt. 15: Promoting Your Book

Mark R. Cheathem Uncategorized

Jacksonian America: 2013 in Review

WordPress automatically compiles a year-end blog, which I've adapted below to show my top ten posts of the year. Andrew Jackson’s Profane Parrot 90,194 This post was picked up on reddit and blew the blog past 100,00 views. AHA Bingo for 2013 Meeting in New Orleans 1,727 I didn't make a new one for 2014, but it's still popular. … Continue reading Jacksonian America: 2013 in Review

Mark R. Cheathem Teaching

Considering Rebecca Schuman’s Essay on Writing

Rebecca Schuman, who teaches at UMSL and writes for Slate and the Chronicle of Higher Education, wrote a controversial piece last week against the assignment of essays in required introductory university courses. She also wrote several blog posts about the topic after receiving feedback, most of which appears to have been negative (see here, here, here, and here).I'll be honest: I disagree with Schuman, … Continue reading Considering Rebecca Schuman’s Essay on Writing

Mark R. Cheathem Dueling, Joanne Freeman

Were Swords Used in Antebellum Duels?

During a discussion earlier this semester, a student asked what other weapons besides pistols were used in duels. I mentioned swords as an alternative, but the class didn't seem to find them a believable option. In researching an anecdote about the Eaton affair today, I came across this piece of news in the 2 July … Continue reading Were Swords Used in Antebellum Duels?

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson

I Appreciate Andrew Jackson Humor

Kristen Burton Tweeted this video of Joe Zimmerman's stand-up act to me. I haven't watched the rest of his act, but he does a good job of capturing the absurdity of Jackson's personality and life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlglBSPygc

Mark R. Cheathem Abraham Lincoln, Conspiracy theories, Conspiracy thinking, John F. Kennedy, Presidents

Debunking the Lincoln-Kennedy Federal Reserve Meme

There is a meme circulating on Facebook that seems to be based on the conspiracy theory that Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were assassinated by the Rothschilds because they wanted to "end the federal reserve banking system." Let's pick this meme apart to see how historically accurate it is. 1. There was no federal … Continue reading Debunking the Lincoln-Kennedy Federal Reserve Meme