March 19, 2020: American History Chat
In this video, Heather introduces herself and her background in the discipline of American Studies. She
discusses why
history matters, and why she is motivated her. Today she answered questions on the 1918 Spanish flu, on
whether Trump could delay the 2020 election, fake news, and political polarization.
Video
and links
»
March 24, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Heather answered three questions today: 1) Can Trump cancel the election, 2) what is the history of the
electoral
college, and 3) what might life be like after coronavirus?
Video and links »
March 26, 2020: American History Chat
Heather introduces the “American Paradox”, which refers to the disconnection between a philosophy
based on
equal rights in the presence of persistent inequality. Her thesis is that the paradox
survives to this day (in that for some to enjoy certain privileges and freedoms,
others must be denied them).
Video and links »
March 31, 2020: Politics and History Chat
In this session, Heather discusses "unitary executive theory", "non-delegation doctrine", history of
Presidential signing statements, anti-intellectualism, the changing platforms of political parties, and the
effect of personal
tragedy on Teddy Roosevelt and the rise of progressivism.
Video and links »
April 2, 2020, American History Chat
In this session, Heather discusses the formation of the American identity
from the founding of the Republic through the Antebellum period,
later splitting into two different notions, one in the North, and another in the South.
Video and links »
April 7, 2020, Politics and History Chat
Heather spoke about 1) Voter disenfranchisement, 2) Gerrymandering, 3) President Trump’s recent press
briefings, 4)
Jared Kushner’s recent comments about the national stockpile, and 5) whether a situation like the
current one in the US
has ever occurred before.
Video and links »
April 9, 2020: American History Chat
Heather discussed the founding story in the American West of the rugged outdoorsman taking on ‘savages’
and
advancing civilization, and further how propagation of this story required the development of racial
hierarchies, in a way similar to the South.
Video
and links
»
April 14, 2020: Politics and History Chat
In today’s session, Heather answered questions related to Trump’s hostility towards the post office, the
history
of 3rd party voting, whether Trump can force states to open back up, trade-offs between liberty and
safety in
our current situation, and comparisons of the current economy to the that of the 1930’s.
Video and links
»
April 16, 2020: American History Chat
Heather discussed the period of Reconstruction, with the ascent of Andrew Johnson after the death of
Lincoln,
Johnson's generally lenient policies towards the South, violence in the South after the civil war, the
appearance
of “black codes” and the establishment of the Freedmen's bureau.
Video and links
»
April 21, 2020: Politics and History Chat
In today's chat, Heather covered the following topics: 1. Executive orders; 2) how Trump evades checks
and
balances, even as he seems to incite violence against states; 3) trade-offs between liberty and safety;
4) debt
and deficits; and 5) why Americans seem to reject evidence and allow oligarchs to stay in power.
Video and links
»
April 23, 2020: American History Chat
The American paradox series continues with a further account of the late nineteenth century. Heather
discusses
political movements and alliances in the last part of the 19th century, with a particular focus on the
West
Video and links
»
April 28, 2020: Politics and History Chat
In this chat, HCR answered the following questions: 1) Is there any truth to voter fraud? 2) Why is the
department of justice in the executive branch?; Why doesn't the US have national healthcare? What her
thoughts
about sexual misconduct charges against Joe Biden? and what about states rights vs federal government?
Video and links
»
April 30, 2020: American History Chat
In today's chat, HCR discussed why the US didn't become an oligarchy in the late 19th and early 20th
century
Video and links
»
May 5, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR covered : the relationship between Catholic church and the Republican party, starting in the 70's;
the
possibility of another constitutional convention; whether a fully Democratic Congress could curtail
recent
abuses of power; and how the Judicial branch has changed the American landscape
Video
and links »
May 6, 2020: Special
This was a conversation between historians Joanne Freeman and Heather Cox Richardson sponsored by the
Brookyln
Historical Society.
Video and
links »
May 7, 2020: American History Chat
The topic of the American paradox (equality for some depends on inequality for others) continued in this
chat,
with an examination of the idea of the individual as the nation transitioned from the early 20th century
to it's
middle and beyond.
Video and
links »
May 12, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR covered whether she has a liberal bias, recent Supreme Court cases relating to Presidential
oversight,
long-term consequences of court appointments, Flynn charges and Obamagate, anti-Asian sentiments, and
whether
she is discouraged about the future.
Video and
links »
May 14, 2020: American History Chat
HCR covered Reaganomics, voodoo economics, the strategy of tax cuts and who benefited from these, the
Reagan
doctrine, the importance of Norquist and Gingrich, Limbaugh, Ailes and right-wing media, the K-street
project,
economic inequality, the militia movement, the Overton window, political 'purity' tests, how Clinton
scandals
were developed, voter suppression, and recent judicial nominees.
Video
and links »
May 19, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR covered: 1) why discussions about any government program related to social welfare often get framed
as
'socialism', 2) the history of the office of the inspector general, 3) her thoughts about Trump's
threatened
withdrawal of WHO funding, 4) how to negotiate our current polarization.
Video and
links »
May 21, 2020: American History Chat
Today HCR concluded her American paradox series by continuing where she left off last time with the
Right's
reaction to the liberal consensus ultimately leading to the ascendancy of Trump.
Video
and links »
May 26, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Today HCR spoke about 1) impact of the 1918 pandemic on the election that year; Ford's pardon of Nixon;
ideology
and compromise in politics; ideology vs principles; Social media manipulation and fake news
Video and
links »
May 27, 2020, Special
The Harvard Bookstore (virtually) hosted a chat between HCR and historian Lindsay Chervinsky, author of
The
Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution.
Video
and links »
May 28, 2020: American History Chat
HCR discussed Jourdon Anderson's letter to his former owner, to illustrate how historians analyze such
documents
Video and links »
June 2, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR spoke about violence, the state, and presidential powers
Video and
links »
June 4, 2020, American History Chat
HCR began a new series on the history of the Republican party, which will loosely follow her book "To
Make Men
Free", whose table of contents can be viewed here. Today,
she
covered the period from the founding of the Republic to the time just prior to the civil war.
Video and
links »
June 9, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR discusses why boomers who were for civil rights in the 1960s didn't seem to have a lasting impact;
why DC
is not a state; why a single senator can block bills;
Why Mitch McConnell has so much power; and some other titbits
Video
and links »
June 11, 2020, American History Chat
HCR discussed challenges Lincoln faced when he took power; reactions of politicians in Southern states;
financial
implications of secession and the civil war; the response of Lincoln and the Republicans; various
important acts
of Congress; and the 13th amendment
Video and
links »
June 16, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Today Dr HCR addressed: 1) history of taxation and related topics 2) confederate statues
and why Grant’s leniency paved the way so the southern could spin their own story, and 3) successful
efforts at
voter suppression
Video and
links »
June 18, 2020, American History Chat
Reconstruction Roots of Republican Party in the early stages of America, while trying to side step
“equality” to benefit essentially an oligarchy instead of Every American
Video
and
links »
June 23, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR covered: 1) the history of policing and police departments, 2) media as propaganda, and 3) the
position of
women in society
Video and
links »
June 25, 2020, American History Chat
History of the republican party, citing the change from Reconstruction years to Big business.
Video and
links »
June 30, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR discussed treason, why Obama wasn't more aggressive
about Russian interference in 2016, what could happen if Trump withdraws from the election, and
Native American mascots.
Video and
links »
July 2, 2020 American History Chat
Republican Party in the late 19th Century partnering with Big Business
Video and
links »
July 7, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR discussed the electoral college and the possibility of Trump gaming the
system; did Lincoln steal his nomination and/or election; Biden's
sudden surge; Trump's "saving" of the lobster industry, cancel culture, and campaign financing.
Video and
links »
July 9, 2020: American History Chat
History of the Republican party after the election of 1896
Video and
links »
July 14, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR spent the entire hour chatting about two things: the history of campaign financing and of
abortion rights debates.
Video and
links »
July 16, 2020: American History Chat
Republican party From the pro business politicians up to the election of Woodrow Wilson
Video and
links »
July 21, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Today, HCR took us through the historical differences between the military and Homeland Security. She
addressed
what’s happening in Portland now, the executive orders written, and her suggestions for what we can do.
A
second subject was the Republican Party’s about face on Russia, and the involvement of Manafort.
Video and
links »
July 23, 2020: American History Chat
HCR covers the period from the 1920's to the 1940's
Video
and links »
July 28, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR discusses #1 Trump campaign attempting to change the narrative of the campaign with actions this week
in
Portland;
#2 HCR reviewed Waco, Ruby Ridge and federal responses; #3 Russian bounty scandal; #4 if trump refuses
to leave
office.
Video
and links »
July 30, 2020: American History Chat
HCR covers the era from Einsenhower to Nixon, including the McCarthy hearings
Video and
links »
August 4, 2020: Politics and History Chat
HCR covers: 1) the importance of sustaining the USPS; 2) crisis in child care, with history back to
settlement
houses, and the 1971 comprehensive child care act that Nixon vetoed; 3) Biden VP selection; and 4)Russia
bounty
scandal.
Video and
links »
August 6, 2020: American History Chat
HCR covered the time from Eisenhower through Reagan,
and a new ideological turn in the Republican party
Video
and links »
August 11, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Questions today: 1) why is no one stopping Trump, 2) Kamala Harris, 3) census, 4) payroll tax holiday
proposal,
5) how to counter misinformation, 6)Hunter Biden, 7) things HCR is hopeful about
Video and
links »
August 13, 2020: American History Chat
Todays talk was a dive into the 1960s and the development thru resignation of Richard M. Nixon
Video and
links »
August 18, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Today: 1) Postmaster General DeJoy, 2) Susan B Anthony pardon, and 3) the Senate Select Committee of
Intelligence
report.
Video and
links »
August 20, 2020: American History Chat
Nixon resignation, Gerald Ford pardons, Moral Majority, Reagan Doctrine, Grover Norquist, and Rush
Limbaugh
Video and
links »
August 25, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Today’s main question was about Republican platform Then the power went out
Video and
links »
August 27, 2020: American History Chat
Iran Contra through end of Reagan years
Video and
links »
September 1, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Social security and payroll taxes; updates to changes at Voice of America; how the terms “right” and
“left” came
to be
Video
and links »
September 3, 2020: American History Chat
Clinton years from the Republican perspective
Video
and links »
September 8, 2020: Politics and History Chat
republic v. democracy; electoral college; campaign financing; Nixon supporters; rise of Republican
influencers
Video
and links »
September 10, 2020: American History Chat
Republican party based on the 2000 election, which includes their handling of 9/11
Video
and links »
September 17, 2020: American History Chat
Republican party from the midterm elections of 2004, through the Gulf War, into the Obama years.
Video
and links »
September 22, 2020: Politics and History Chat
SCOTUS, Trump's witholding of funds from cities, 1619 project
Video
and links »
September 24, 2020: American History Chat
Republican party during the time of President Obama
Video
and links »
September 29, 2020: Politics and History Chat
SCOTUS requirements, Amy Coney Barrett, impeachment of Supreme Court justice, 1st amendment and lying,
Trump tax returns, arresting a sitting president, military service and the president, partisan divide
Video
and links »
October 1, 2020: American History Chat
How Republicans transitioned from the Lincoln belief system to current day definition of Republicans.
Video
and links »
Oct 6, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Trump's health and the press, history of secret service, voter suppression, abortion, EPA
Video
and links »
October 8, 2020: American History Chat
Review of the statement of Senator Mike Lee regarding his theory on Democracy
Video
and links »
October 15, 2020: American History Chat
Media bias, the constitution, and elections
Video
and links »
Oct 20, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Hunter Biden, Russia, Clinton emails, Trump crimes, and voter supression
Video
and links »
October 22, 2020: American History Chat
The mechanics of democracy and the civil service
Video
and links »
Oct 27, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Polls, Election and the Court
Video
and links »
October 29, 2020: American History Chat
Pandemic, elections, ideology, supreme court and federalism
Video
and links »
November 5, 2020: American History Chat
Counting the votes, challenges, and key states in the election
Video
and links »
Nov 10, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Pompeo comment re transition, coup?, Mitch McConnell, Ron Johnson and Russians, polling, transition from
Trump to Biden
Video
and links »
Nov 12, 2020: Politics and History Chat
An extra day of questions, in this slot normally for history chat
Video
and links »
Nov 17, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Assault on the electoral system, authoritarianism, Lindsey Graham, institutions and the President, rise
of spirituality
Video
and links »
November 19, 2020: American History Chat
A government by the people, for the people, is not Marxism
Video
and links »
Nov 24, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Can Trump be Pardoned?; SCOTUS district reassignments; Trump and the GOP; Open Skies Treaty; Biden's
cabinet; What's important going forward
Video and links »
November 26, 2020: American History Chat
Origins of American holidays and tradition
Video and links »
December 1, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Election shenanigans, priority recognition, Biden cabinet, Trump 2024, Trump and Russia, Fairness
Doctrine
Video and links »
December 3, 2020: American History Chat
The latter part of the 19th century
Video and links »
December 8, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Texas lawsuit, GOP leadership and election results, GOP and treason, Georgia and the Senate, vaccine,
military coup, craziest time in America
Video and links »
December 15, 2020: Politics and History Chat
Jenna Ellis, House GOP and Texas lawsuit, Trump and the crisis of the last 4 years, Kamala Harris and the
senate, Barr, Biden's initial steps
Video and links »
December 17, 2020: American History Chat
Andrew Johnson, the freedmen's bureau and new amendments
Video and links »
December 24, 2020: American History Chat
American democracy in early 19th century, Andrew Jackson, transportation, election of 1877, social
security
Video and
links »
December 31, 2020: American History Chat
After Reconstruction, the US struggles to figure out who is “included” in the government, particularly
with respect to Native and African Americans
Video and links »
January 14, 2021: American History Chat
Post Civil War society questions who gets to have a say in Society, which changes the structure of the
United States Government
Video and links »
January 21, 2021: American History Chat
Widening of voter franchise in the latter 19th century, redistribution of wealth for White Americans,
and development of fear of lower class workers, immigrants,
and African Americans.
Video and links »
January 28, 2021: American History Chat
How tariffs and business plays a role in the late 1800’s including the Civil War years.
Video and links »
February 4, 2021: American History Chat
How indigenous history factors into the Civil war and therefore Reconstruction
Video and links »
