The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 stands as a pivotal moment in American labor history, illustrating the clash between workers' rights and corporate power. Sparked by wage cuts amid an economic depression, this strike transcended its origins, morphing into a widespread social revolution that echoed the frustrations of ordinary Americans across the nation. Tune in to learn all about the causes, lessons, and legacies of the Great Strike of 1877 and how it influenced future labor movements. 

Support the show

Join me this week as I sit down with Rachel Lee Perez to discuss her book The Real Jaws: The Attacks That Inspired the Movies. Learn how a series of deadly attacks along the New Jersey shore in the summer of 1916 inspired the 1975 summer blockbuster movie Jaws and permanently altered Americans relationship with sharks -- and how we can become better stewards of the ocean. 

To hear more from Rachel, be sure to check her out over on her podcast Hashtag History or at her website.

Support the show

Join me this week as I wrap up my coverage of Rutherford B. Hayes. Learn how the president jumped from one domestic crisis to another: from demands to recall federal troops in the south to tackling the issue of civil service reform. How did Hayes deal with the anti-Chinese sentiment brewing out west? Or the debates over land distribution regarding Indigenous Americans? Tune in to find out. 

And don't forget to tune into the episode dedicated to the election of 1876 so you know just how Hayes entered the office. 

Want more from Civics & Coffee? Be sure to subscribe to the Substack! 

Support the show

He came to office after a hotly contested election and served only a single term. How did Rutherford B. Hayes change the presidency and the United States? 

Tune into this episode where I lay the groundwork for understanding the twentieth president of the United States. Learn about Hayes' early days, his military service, and his pre-presidential political appointments. 

When you are done listening to this introductory episode, be sure to check out the episode dedicated to the election of 1876 so you are all prepared for the final chapter next week! 

Support the show

The Gilded Age began as the United States marked the 100th anniversary of independence, entering an era of rapid industrial growth and profound social change. This introductory episode sets the stage for what you can expect in my coverage of the Gilded Age, exploring how new technologies, expanding railroads, and rising industrial power transformed everyday life.

Learn how as wealth accumulated at the top and economic inequality widened workers organized and demanded better and safer working conditions. I also touch on how political corruption flourished alongside unprecedented prosperity, sparking growing demands for reform. We have so much to cover together - get ready for one wild ride! 

Support the show

Was the American Revolution really just a colonial rebellion against Britain? According to historian Dr. Richard Bell, the answer is no.

In this episode, we discuss Bell’s book The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, which reframes the Revolution as a global, transnational conflict with consequences stretching far beyond North America—from Spain and the Caribbean to Indigenous nations and British India.

Bell challenges familiar myths about the Revolution, including the simplistic portrayal of King George III as a tyrant, the mythologizing of the Battle of Trenton, and the idea that the conflict was merely Patriots vs. Loyalists. We explore how propaganda and a vibrant revolutionary press shaped public opinion, how Indigenous peoples acted as crucial political and military players, and why Spain’s role in undermining British power has been largely forgotten.

This conversation shows why challenging national myths is essential to understanding what the American Revolution really was—and why it mattered to the wider world.

Support the show

Join me as I sit down with Dr. Nicole Nehrig to discuss her book With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories which explores the historical and psychological significance of textiles and knitting. She emphasizes the critical role of textiles in human survival, community building among women, and the economic participation of women throughout history. Our conversation also touches on the connections between textile work and witchcraft accusations, the impact of influential figures like Elizabeth Zimmerman, and the storytelling potential of textiles. Dr. Nehrig also shares her personal journey with knitting and the insights gained from her research, encouraging listeners and readers to reflect on the meaning and fulfillment derived from their own work.

You can find Dr. Nehrig on Instagram at: Nicolenehrig or through her website at: https://nicolenehrig.com

Support the show

Join me as I sit down with historian Ronald Angelo Johnson to explore his groundbreaking book Entangled Alliances: Black Internationalism in the Early American Republic. Johnson reveals how free Black communities, Caribbean revolutionaries, and geopolitical alliances shaped the rise of U.S. diplomacy during the nation’s formative decades.

From the Haitian Revolution to the complex relationship between African American activists and U.S. officials, Johnson explains why early American history cannot be understood without the influence of the Black Atlantic world and why history can never be seen as simply black and white. 

Support the show

Join me as I welcome historian and bestselling author Dr. Elizabeth Cobbs about her book Fearless Women and her powerful concept of patriotic feminism. Dr. Cobbs explains how generations of American women have pushed the nation to live up to its founding ideals, often pairing a deep love of country with a bold willingness to demand change.

Our conversation explores the women who shaped U.S. history—famous and forgotten—and the surprising ways their activism, labor, and leadership moved the country forward. This episode is a compelling look at how patriotic feminism has influenced American identity from the founding era to today.

Support the show

The presidential election of 1876 stands as one of the most contested and consequential turning points in American history. In this episode, I explore the dramatic showdown between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden, unfolding at a moment when the country was still grappling with the legacy of Reconstruction.

Join me as I highlight how a political crisis emerged when disputed returns from the South threw the nation into chaos without a constitutional remedy. What followed was an unprecedented political standoff: the creation of a federal election commission, intense negotiations between Hayes supporters and southern Democrats, and the controversial deal that ended Reconstruction in exchange for securing the presidency.

This episode unpacks the maneuvering, the stakes, and the lasting consequences of the 1876 election—all while setting the stage for the next era in the podcast timeline: the rise of the Gilded Age.

Support the show

Your favorite history podcasters are back again! Join myself, Kenny from Abridged Presidential Histories, Howard from Plodding Through the Presidencies, and Jerry from The Presidencies of the United States as we chat about the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, our dream historical projects, and our affinity for dueling. 

Happy Holidays! 

Support the show