Andrew Jackson often elicited strong, violent emotions. During his presidency, one man tried to assault him, and another tried to shoot him. What you may not realize is that John Wilkes Booth's father, Junius Brutus Booth, threatened to kill President Andrew Jackson three decades before the younger Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on that fateful Good … Continue reading The Man Who Wanted to Kill Andrew Jackson
Brief Review of Kathryn Olmsted, Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11
Kathryn Olmsted's Real Enemies is an excellent survey of conspiracy theories in the 20th-century United States. A history professor at UC-Davis, Olmsted makes three arguments. First, the U.S. government perpetrated conspiracies against American citizens in response to alleged anti-government conspiracies. In response, Americans constructed alternative conspiracy theories to explain the conspiracy theories that the government … Continue reading Brief Review of Kathryn Olmsted, Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11
Brief Review of David Aaronovitch, Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History
There are a number of overviews of modern conspiracy thinking. David Aaronovitch's Voodoo Histories offers the perspective of a British journalist and writer. He looks at many of the traditional conspiracy theories prevalent in U.S. society, including the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Communism, and JFK. The value of Aaronovitch's work, I think, is … Continue reading Brief Review of David Aaronovitch, Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History
AHA 2012: Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together
This year's AHA was the best I've ever attended, primarily because it's the first I've attended without interviewing for a job but also because of the great weather. Our panel went well, despite only eleven people in the audience. (One member of our audience, Nick Cox, blogged about our panel.) Natalie and Ken gave great papers. … Continue reading AHA 2012: Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together
What Does a History Course on Conspiracy Theories Look Like?
As far as I know, I am one of only four history professors in the U.S. to offer a course on conspiracy theories. Kathy Olmsted, Robert Goldberg, and Jeff Pasley are the other three I know of. Pasley even has a website devoted to his course. (Update: Sara Morris alerted me to Jonathan Earle's course on the history of … Continue reading What Does a History Course on Conspiracy Theories Look Like?
AHA 2012: Bracing for the Windy City
I've had two occasions to visit Chicago, and both came in the winter. It's only appropriate, then, that the third time will be for this year's AHA. Maybe someday, I'll have the opportunity to travel to the Windy City when it isn't so cold and . . . windy. I'll be back to regular posting … Continue reading AHA 2012: Bracing for the Windy City
Interested in Writing a Guest Post for a History Blog?
If you are an Early Republic historian who has considered writing for a blog but hasn't taken the leap, I would like to offer you the opportunity to guest blog for Jacksonian America. Let me know, and we'll work out the details. Have a good holiday break, and I'll see you in 2012.
Holiday Readings, 2011 Edition: Conspiracy and Politics
I've presented myself with quite the hefty reading list for the holiday break. Most of these books are either ones I've assigned for Spring 2012 courses or ones that are helping me prepare historical background for those courses. The exception is Kentucky Rising: Democracy, Slavery, and Culture from the Early Republic to the Civil War, by James … Continue reading Holiday Readings, 2011 Edition: Conspiracy and Politics
Patriarchy and Masculinity in Antebellum America: Andrew Jackson and His Male Wards
As I've done for papers at the 2011 SHEAR and 2011 SHA conferences, I am posting ahead of time the paper I will be giving in Chicago at the American Historical Association annual meeting. This paper, which examines patriarchy and masculinity in Jackson's advice to his male wards, is in many ways a continuation of … Continue reading Patriarchy and Masculinity in Antebellum America: Andrew Jackson and His Male Wards
My Earliest Historical Memory
Recently, Keith Harris asked the following question on his Cosmic America blog: "What is your first memory of a historical event?" I remember many things from my early childhood, including sitting in gas lines during the Carter administration, listening to records and eight-tracks, and being chased by a neighborhood dog, but my earliest historical memory … Continue reading My Earliest Historical Memory
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 