Part Four in a series; see Parts One, Two and Three. After Franklin Roosevelt’s reelection, his opponents grew more hysterical and conspiracy-minded in their rhetoric. Father Coughlin, abandoning most pretenses of progressivism, now branded Roosevelt’s programs the “Jew Deal,” reproduced … Continue reading How We Got Here: The Mad Legions of America

Part Three in a series; see Parts One and Two.  During the 1932 election, Franklin Roosevelt ranked Huey Long as one of the two most dangerous men in America (the other being Douglas MacArthur). As Governor, then Senator from Louisiana, … Continue reading How We Got Here: Little Foxes in Search of a Führer

Part Two in a series; see Part One here. Throughout Herbert Hoover’s reign, corporate America constantly assured the public that economic recovery lay right around the corner. “The fact that we have let nature take its course may augur well … Continue reading How We Got Here: Business Plots

Part One of a projected series on the American far right during the Depression and New Deal. Besides inline citations, a bibliographic essay will be provided in the final article. On July 28, 1932, Washington saw the nadir of the Great … Continue reading How We Got Here: March of the Khaki Shirts

Like many American presidents, Woodrow Wilson harbored contradictory impulses. He enacted progressive economic and labor reforms while racially segregating the Federal government. He spoke stirringly about spreading democracy abroad while suppressing civil liberties and arresting dissidents at home. He advocated … Continue reading How We Got Here: Appointment at Veracruz

Throughout the spring of 1850, New Orleans and other southern ports bustled with activity. Two sailing vessels and two ships were purchased and outfitted; a force of about 500 armed men began organizing throughout the Mississippi Valley, awaiting signals to … Continue reading How We Got Here: Narciso Lopez Dreams of Cuba

On June 20, 1949, Paul Robeson gave a speech at the so-called Paris Peace Conference, sponsored by the USSR. The American actor and singer, a leading black activist, was long associated with progressive causes, yet emerged from World War II … Continue reading How We Got Here: Paul Robeson’s Road to Peekskill

Picture the opening of a John Buchan or Ian Fleming thriller: an American general, languishing on inglorious reserve duty, is summoned across country without notice, then arrives at a train station where he’s contacted by a strange man wearing a … Continue reading How We Got Here: General Graves and the Siberian Shuffle

In the summer of 1918, American doughboys finally joined the desperate battles raging in France during World War I’s climactic days. Meanwhile, the 339th Infantry waited across the English Channel to join them. Dubbed “Detroit’s Own,” the 339th consisted of … Continue reading How We Got Here: American Polar Bears Meet the Bolsheviks

May 4, 1970 saw America’s tensions over the Vietnam War explode into violence. Shortly after Richard Nixon authorized an American “incursion” into Cambodia, thus expanding the war he’d pledged to end, backlash erupted on college campuses across the country. Unexpectedly, … Continue reading How We Got Here: The Hard Hats Strike Back

Note: Didn’t have time to research my planned subject this week; here, then, is a post combining two of my old blog posts on everyone’s favorite President.  Richard Nixon took office with a bold strategy to end the Vietnam War. … Continue reading How We Got Here: The State Department and the Madman

In 1850, the United States of America stood on the edge of a precipice. The Mexican War added 529,000 square miles to the United States, re-sparking long dormant debates about the future of slavery. Southern slave owners had long maintained … Continue reading How We Got Here: Liberty at Christiana