Harrison Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the presidential campaigns of 1836 and 1840 and explore some of the more interesting facets of the election season. From the mode of campaigning to the organization (or lack thereof at times) of the political parties of the time, these two elections are filled with interesting characters and social … Continue reading 028 – Keep the Ball A’Rollin: The Long Path to the White House →

Upon his return to the United States, Harrison found himself beset by both personal and political issues. Through the course of Jackson’s terms in the White House, Harrison would face the death of loved ones and financial strains while at the same time continuing to make a name for himself in the public eye in … Continue reading 027 – Years of Struggle →

We take a close look in this episode at Harrison’s letter to Símon Bolívar of 27 September 1829, completed just prior to Harrison’s return to the United States, in order to understand what it reveals about Harrison’s observations on Colombia and its government as well as about Harrison and what he took from this foray into … Continue reading 026 – The Case of Harrison v Despotism →

Harrison is sent off on a diplomatic mission to Colombia but quickly learns that navigating international politics can sometimes be problematic, particularly in the wake of both the turbulence of the Latin American wars of independence and the Jackson revolution back in the States. Join the General and myself on a journey of nearly 2,500 miles … Continue reading 025 – The Colombian Mission →

As the world rings in a new year, in this week’s episode we look back on early American traditions for New Year’s with a focus on a New Year’s tradition in days gone by: the Presidential New Year’s Day Reception. From the very beginning to the last one in the 20th century, we look at … Continue reading 024 – The New Year’s Levee →

In honor of the holiday season, we have a special episode examining Christmas in early America. Believe me, the story is not always as one would imagine it. The war on Christmas is nothing new and, at times, was carried out by Christians. As the melting pot of America came together and the new nation … Continue reading 023 – Christmas in Early America →

The presidential election of 1824 would change many lives and the course of the nation forever, and William Henry Harrison was not immune to the ripple effects as he returned to Washington, DC for both a career in the Senate and a quest for an even higher position. For family and for honor, Harrison would … Continue reading 022 – Corrupt Bargains and Shallow Minds →

The Era of Good Feelings was increasingly anything but for William Henry Harrison as he worked as a de facto veteran’s bureau in the House of Representatives and Congress struggled to answer the question of whether Missouri should enter the Union as a slave state or a free state. As Harrison moved closer to home to take … Continue reading 021 – The Era of Ill Feelings →

Harrison concludes his final negotiations with Native Americans before being elected to Congress. In this episode, we discuss how the War of 1812 affected both the settlers and the Native Americans of the old Northwest, how Washington, DC was rebuilding after having been burned by the British, and how Harrison used his new seat in … Continue reading 020 – Mr. Harrison Goes to Washington →

In collaboration with the History of the Ottoman Empire podcast, this episode examines the Ottoman Empire in the 1830s and 1840s including reform efforts initiated by Sultan Mahmud II, early US diplomatic interactions with the Ottoman Empire and the Middle East, and Commodore David Porter, the colorful character who became the first US Minister to the Ottoman Sultanate. … Continue reading 019 – The US and the Ottoman Empire →

Harrison gains the upper hand on British forces in the old Northwest and crosses the border into Canada to take the fight to them. However, political intrigue on the American side will impede military progress, and Harrison will ultimately be forced to defend his honor while his family back at home copes with personal strains. The … Continue reading 018 – To Arms, Eh?: The Defense of Canada and the Death of Tecumseh →

The War of 1812 begins in this episode of the Harrison Podcast, and we examine how Harrison found himself back in the Army and in charge of the military forces of the old Northwest as the British began to make inroads into US territory. Harrison had to hold strong against threats, both internal and external, … Continue reading 017 – The Second American Revolution: This Time, It’s Personal →

In honor of the 205th anniversary of the battle tomorrow, this episode is all about the battle that made Harrison famous – the Battle of Tippecanoe. We discuss the lead-up to the battle, what actually transpired, and what the battle meant for Harrison, the white settlers, and the Native Americans of the Old Northwest. Those … Continue reading 016 – The Battle of Tippecanoe →

We have a very special episode this week as we stage a debate between President Martin Van Buren and General William Henry Harrison in the 1840 presidential campaign. The back and forth gets heated at times, but the two candidates manage to maintain their decorum so that this debate is suitable for all audiences. Gather … Continue reading 015 – The 1840 Presidential Debate →

Harrison begins his transition from the army into public service in this episode and finds love and a new home along the way. However, to avoid the danger of overly romanticizing the story and missing some key historical lessons, this episode does delve into the possibility that Harrison sought female companionship outside of marriage and the detrimental effects that … Continue reading 014 – Courtin’, Cavortin’, and Carryin’ On: Harrison’s Early Public Service →

Harrison takes a rather meandering course from college that leads him first to Richmond then to Philadelphia, through medical training to the army, before he finally marches off to the west where he studies the ways of war from two of the most prominent generals of the time. Along the way, he suffers the loss of … Continue reading 013 – Here and There or Maybe Over There: The Wandering Start of William Henry Harrison →

In this episode, the first in our comprehensive series about Harrison’s life, we follow the life of William Henry Harrison from his birth up until his enrollment at Hampden-Sydney Academy (now College) and explore how the Revolutionary War affected and threatened the young Billy and his family. This episode has a British invasion (though no … Continue reading 012 – The Education of William Henry Harrison →

This week’s episode concludes our discussion on the Inaugural Speech by bringing it all together with topics discussed in previous episodes in order to get a better understanding of the course that old Tip wanted to take the nation in and how he planned to save the nation during his four year presidency that ended … Continue reading 011 – Essentially, Radically Changed: The Inauguration Speech Part 2 →

This week’s episode examines Harrison’s precedent-breaking inaugural address including his direct challenge to Andrew Jackson, his conception of the powers and responsibilities of the president, and his plans for his four year term. It’s an episode not to be missed! A link to the speech as well as other sources used for this episode can be found at … Continue reading 010 – The Bout to Take The General Out: The Inauguration Speech Part 1 →

This week’s episode focuses in on those nearest and dearest to Harrison – his family. We take a brief look at his parents, his wife Anna Symmes Harrison, and their many children. We also take a few moments to discuss his most famous grandson who was also known as the 23rd President of the United … Continue reading 009 – The Harrison Bunch →