America: A History Podcast

On this episode, as America’s foreign relations once again dominates headlines, I want to explore just how powerful the country really is, and whether we should be understanding it as more than just a single nation, as I ask… Is America An Empire? And to discuss this I am joined by two very excellent guests: Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960. His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism. Dr. Sarah Nelson, an Assistant Professor at the Netherlands’ Universiteit Leiden, and a historian of US empire, global governance, and decolonization. Welcome Mentioned in this episode: BOOK: Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960 by Nicholas Grant BOOK: The Blood of Government: Race, Empire, the United States, and the Philippines by Paul A. Kramer BOOK: Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire by Niall Ferguson BOOK: An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States by Kyle T. Mays ONLINE: A New Menace in Africa by Nelson Mandela If you like the podcast, please do share and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us with opinions, episode ideas and guest suggestions via hello@podcastsbyliam.com - we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are recording this week’s episode on Monday 4th March, 2024. This weekend Donald Trump continued his near clean sweep of caucus and primaries, and in a few hours, polls will open for Super Tuesday, where Trump is widely expected to secure the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination for a third consecutive Presidential election. However, his journey has not been smooth sailing. Just four days ago Illinois became the third state, after Colorado and Maine, to kick Trump off the primary ballot, citing their insurrection clause - a move which will ultimately be debated by the Supreme Court. His campaign has also been fought in the shadow of numerous court cases, which has already seen rack up hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. So with all of the drama, the scandal, and the alleged criminality surrounding Trump, I want to know… should he be allowed to run for President? Special Guest: Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. Additional Resources: BBC Panorama, Trump: The Sequel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, as the who’s who of entertainment descend on Hollywood for the glitziest night on the calendar, I want to know if anyone still cares about film awards, and when viewing figures continue to decrease, why do they still generate so many headlines, as I ask… are the Oscars still relevant? And to discuss this I am joined by Vaughn Joy, a PhD candidate at UCL studying mid-century Hollywood, politics, and their cross-section through a case study on Christmas films. Useful Resources: The Oscars Official Website Subscribe to Vaughn's newsletter, Review Roulette If you love the podcast, please consider connecting with either Liam @thisistheheff or UEA's American Studies team @AmericanStudies on Twitter/X. Alternatively, if you have an episode or guest submission, you can email hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I find out more about how one of America’s most popular first ladies turned her office, and residence of three years, into a living museum of US political history, as we ask… how did Jackie Kennedy transform the White House? We discuss how Jackie Kennedy used her platform to champion one of the most radical projects ever undertaken by the First Lady, and in doing so, she redefines exactly what the role of First Lady means, and setting the blueprint for all that follow. Special Guest: Jess Alldred, a final year American history undergraduate from the University of East Anglia. If you like the podcast, please remember to listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts, and if you can leave us a rating and review on Apple that would be lovely! If you want to get in touch with the show, you can tweet either host @thisistheheff or UEA at @AmericanStudies, or if you have an episode or guest suggestion please email hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America may be gearing up for Trump versus Biden already, but it remains in the middle of a nomination campaign... if only as a formality. So in this episode we speak with Dr. Emma Long to understand exactly how the nominations work, and what the heck a primary and caucus even is. Guest this week: Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia If you like this episode, you might also like: How Are Presidents Elected? Is the President Above the Law? If you like the podcast, please follow wherever you're listening, and share to social media. You can also connect with us on X via @thisistheheff or @AmericanStudies, and if you have an episode suggestion or would like to be a guest you can email us via hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your favourite American history podcast is coming back! America: A History Podcast has taken a little winter hiatus, but we are back with a new look and sound and we are READY for a huge year. As Donald Trump and Nikki Haley battle it out to determine who goes to the Presidential polls against Joe Biden, we have been hard at work doing what any good politician should be doing... listening. That's right. We paid attention to your feedback and we have given the show a revamp, so that we can continue to bring you the best content in the best way for as long as you will allow us. So tell your friends, tell your family, and tell your therapist that America: A History Podcast is coming back. We will be covering everything from the Oscars to the election, and you do not want to miss it. February 2024. Put it in your diaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It all started with (a now public domain) Mickey Mouse, but today Disney is a cultural behemoth. A global household name. Walt Disney is synonymous with childhood, nostalgia, and joy. Recently, their multi-billion dollar empire continues to grow, with a string of high-profile and big money acquisitions. So is the magic still there? And why does everyone love Disney? Special guests: Janet Wasko, an author and professor in Communication Research at the University of Oregon, whose book Understanding Disney was a huge resource for me during my time as an American Studies student. In this episode, Janet and I discuss how Disney has become so embedded in childhood, and how many adults grow up with such a Disney obsession. We also look at recent acquisitions of Star Wars, Marvel and Fox, and consider how Disney manage to keep growing without losing their magic. Additional resources: BOOK: Understanding Disney by Janet Wasko ARTICLE: Steamboat Willie enters the public domain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas is a season of goodwill... or so we thought. Conservative pockets of America would argue that Christmas is now a battleground, where the Christian traditions of the holidays are under threat. It is, in the words of Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly, a 'War on Christmas'. So what exactly is it, what is being fought, and will it ever be won? To help me answer this question, who else but Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. And if you enjoy this episode, please do follow us on your podcast platform of choice. If you can spare a few seconds, please also leave us a review and a rating, as it bumps us up the charts and helps other people find us. Alternatively, you can contact the show by email via hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Home Alone to Love Actually, Hollywood Christmas movies are as much a part of the festivities as Santa Claus and Christmas trees. There’s nothing quite like watching your favourite seasonal film to get you in the spirit. But what makes them so watchable? In this episode, we unpick some of our favourite festive treats as we find out… how to make a Hollywood Christmas movie. Guests on this episode: Thomas Ruys Smith, a Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. Jon Mitchell, an Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. He is interested in late 20th Century US culture, with a particular interest in the representation of gender and sexuality. Additional resources: BOOK: The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman by Thomas Ruys Smith BOOK: Christmas Past: An Anthology of Seasonal Stories from Nineteenth-Century America by Thomas Ruys Smith If you enjoy America: A History Podcast, and we hope you do, we'd love you to tell us. Leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts, or email us via hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the words of Andy Williams, It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but do we really know why we celebrate Christmas? Do our modern day traditions of Santa, trees and TV specials blind us from the real history of the holidays? This episode is definitely NSFK - not safe for kids - as we answer… what is the history of Christmas in America? Guests on this episode: Thomas Ruys Smith - a Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. His latest book, The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, is available now. Brian Earl tells the fascinating stories behind our favourite holiday’s traditions through the popular podcast, Christmas Past. The podcast, one of the longest-running of its kind, delivers holiday cheer with a storytelling style inspired by public radio. Talking points: When did Christmas stop being a religious holiday? The Americanization of Christmas Santa Claus / Father Christmas / Saint Nicolas How Coca-Cola hijacked the holidays Additional resources: PODCAST: Christmas Past by Brian Earl BOOK: Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions by Brian Earl BOOK: The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman by Thomas Ruys Smith BOOK: Christmas Past: An Anthology of Seasonal Stories from Nineteenth-Century America by Thomas Ruys Smith POEM: The Children’s Friend If you enjoy the podcast, do give us a follow and leave us a review. If you would like to suggest an episode idea or request to be a guest on the show, please email hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Presidency is considered one of the most important jobs in the world, and as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. But where’s the line? How much power is too much power? In this episode, we look at Presidents past and present to figure out… are they really above the law? To help me answer this question, who else but Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. If you like what you hear, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review this podcast. NEWS UPDATE, 20TH DECEMBER 2023: The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump CANNOT run for President in the state due to an insurrection clause in the state's constitution. More info here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67768873 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In America, Thanksgiving is comparable to Christmas on the holiday calendar. It’s when everyone gets together with turkey, football, and the Macy’s parade to be thankful for what they have. But where did this holiday really come from? In this episode we explore the history and the real meaning of America’s favourite holiday as we answer… what is Thanksgiving? Our guest this week is David Silverman, a Professor of history a George Washington University. He specializes in Native American, Colonial American, and American racial history, and his most recent book is This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. Additional reources: BOOK: This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving by David J. Silverman If you like the podcast, please show your support and leave a review and rating wherever you're listening. Additionally you can connect with Liam on LinkedIn or X (@thisistheheff) or with UEA's American Studies department on X (@AmericanStudies) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Insomnia Cafe doesn't sound like the name of one of the most successful TV shows of all time. And yet, this was almost the title for little comedy about 6 new yorkers navigating life, love and work. So in this episode, as we remember the late Matthew Perry, we discuss why it became so huge and what that tells us about America, as we ask... could Friends BE any bigger? Joining the podcast is Dr Rachael McLennan, Senior Lecturer in American Literature and Culture, and Head of School for Art, Media and American Studies at the University of East Anglia. If you enjoy this podcast, please follow wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know you love us on X via @AmericanStudies and @thisistheheff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1979, author Octavia Butler published a novel which would become a foundational text in our understanding of slavery. Kindred tells the story of Dana, an African American writer from California, who travels back uncontrollably to early 1800s Maryland to protect her ancestors and ensure her own existence. In this episode, we are going to take a closer look at Kindred, both the book and its recent 2023 TV adaptation, as we answer the question... what does Kindred tell us about plantation life? Guests on this episode: Dr. Rebecca Fraser, a historian of 19th century America with a particular interest in the history of African Americans, especially relating to their resistance against slavery and the enslaved experience. Dr. Hilary Emmett, an Associate Professor in American Studies at the University of East Anglia. She researches the afterlives of enslavement in literature and visual culture, with a particular interest in the transnational reach of the late, great, Nobel prize winner, Toni Morrison. Additional Resources: BOOK: Kindred (1979) by Octavia E. Butler SERIES: Kindred (2023) BOOK: Closer to Freedom: Enslaved Women & Everyday Resistance in the Plantation South (2004) by Stephanie Camp BOOK: Dispossessed Lives: Enslaved Women, Violence and the Archive (2016) by Marisa J. Fuentes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halloween has become a distinctly American holiday, but it wasn't always like this. In fact, the roots of this holiday may be frighteningly closer to home than you might think! In this episode, Professor Thomas Ruys Smith returns to the podcast for an unscripted chat about the history of Halloween, and why it managed to proliferate so much in America and become the commercial holiday staple we know and love today. And remember, if you enjoy this podcast please do click follow or subscribe wherever you're listening, and leave us a rating or review. Or alternatively you can give us a shout out on X via @thisistheheff and @AmericanStudies. If you have an episode idea or would like to be a guest on the show, please get in touch and email hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of the release of our Halloween special, Professor Thomas Ruys Smith recites a lost poem from 19th century America. This is 'Twas the Night of All Hallows in its full, original glory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may not have heard the name Ed Gein before, but he's probably your worst nightmare. Otherwise known as the butcher of Plainfield, his crimes inspired some of the most iconic American horror characters of all time, including Norman Bates and Leatherface. So in this episode, we get to know a little more about Eddie - who he was, what he did, and how he became one of the most influential serial killers in American history, as we ask... who is Ed Gein? Guests: Alex James, an American Studies postgraduate student at the University of East Anglia, with an interest in American’s obsession with serial killers and true crime. Harold Schecter, a Professor Emeritus at Queens College, the City University of New York, where he taught American literature for forty-two years. He has published over forty books including ‘Deviant: The True Story of Ed Gein’ and he is a two-time Edgar Award nominee. If you want to know anything about American serial killers, this is the man to speak to. Additional Resources: BOOK: Deviant by Harold Schecter GRAPHIC NOVEL: Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? By Harold Schecter BOOK: Psycho by Robert Bloch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might think that the civil rights movement ended in the 1960s, but America is still a deeply divided country. In recent years, thanks to high profile cases of racially motivated police brutality such as George Floyd, Black Lives Matter has become a global movement. So in this episode, we explore what it is, why now, and what this means for the US, as we ask... what challenge does Black Lives Matter represent to America? This week's guest: Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of 'Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960.' His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism. Key talking points: The history of Black Lives Matter, from the first raised fist at the 1968 Olympics to the formation of Black Lives Matter in 2013. George Floyd really made BLM a key issue of public interest and garnered worldwide attention, so is Black Lives Matter just an American movement anymore? What does the proliferation of the BLM movement in the last ten years tell us about America? One of the key arguments from the critics of BLM is that all lives matter. So why is Black Lives Matter only about Black Lives? Additional resources: WEBSITE: Black Lives Matter If you like this podcast, please do show your support by liking and following wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends by sharing across social media. Additionally, tell us your listening via Twitter/X at @AmericanStudies or @thisistheheff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have probably heard the names Harriet Tubman or Booker T. Washington (not the WWE superstar), but what about Frederick Douglass? As an African American born into slavery, nobody would have suspected this man would grow up to be one of the greatest public speakers of all time. Learning how to read and write by exchanging bread for books with local white children, Frederick Douglass broke out of bondage and became the most photographed person in 19th century America. In this episode celebrating Black History Month 2023, we discuss the life and achievements of an abolitionist, a politician and, most importantly, a free black man in 19th century America, as we ask... who is Frederick Douglass? Guests on this episode: Dr. Rebecca Fraser, a historian of 19th century America with a particular interest in the history of African Americans, especially relating to their resistance against slavery and the enslaved experience. Tony Phillips, a former undergraduate in American Studies at UEA. He forged a career as a documentary maker at the BBC, later becoming a commissioning editor at BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. He was also Vice President of Content at WNYC Studios in New York, and he’s currently the exec producer on Every Voice with Terrance McKnight for WQXR NY. Key Points of Discussion: Douglass' upbringing as a slave, and his time in Maryland. What Frederick Douglass' can still tell us about the black experience in America today. Douglass the abolitionist and public speaker Post civil-war and his political career Additional Resources: BOOK: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave BOOK: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom PODCAST: Every Voice with Terence McKnight BOOK: Frederick Douglass by Wililam S. Mcfeely WEBSITE: Frederick Douglass’ Fifth of July Speech If you like the show, please remember to follow, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts, or visit our website. Additionally, get in touch or tweet us at @AmericanStudies or @thisistheheff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Huck Finn to Drag Queens, children’s literature has always been a deeply divisive subject. But is this driven by parental overprotectiveness, or political bias? In this episode, to celebrate Banned Books Week 2023, we look at the books and the people who have made headlines for all the wrong reasons, as we ask… why is children’s literature so political? Our guests this week: Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. Jonathan Hamilt, Executive Director of Drag Story Hour. Hamilt is the first Executive Director of Drag Story Hour, taking it from a loose string of a few state’s events to a national 501 c 3 with an international chapter network. He has connected the chapter’s organizers and storytellers with each other on a global scale. Since being named Executive Director, Drag Story Hour has presented at Harvard, Yale, SXSW EDU, ABA, and the Medical Library Association. Additional Resources: WEBSITE: Drag Story Hour WEBSITE: Banned Books Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the war on Disney to the calamitous Presidential campaign launch on Twitter, Ron DeSantis is no stranger to the news, but what do we really know about him? In this episode, we take a closer look at Trump's early challenger for the Republican nomination. Where does he come from? What does he stand for? And what does his meteoric rise through the GOP tell us about politics in America, as we answer the question... who is Ron DeSantis? Returning from the faculty is Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. Talking Points: DeSantis' rapid rise up the GOP, from a 0.4% victory margin in Florida to Presidential candidate Is he too young and inexperienced to run for President? The Culture Wars DeSantis vs Disney How can DeSantis beat Trump? Staying moderate enough to win the Presidency Additional Resources: WEBSITE: DeSantis for President SOCIAL: DeSantis on Twitter WATCH: Fox News (conservative) coverage of DeSantis READ: New York Times (liberal) coverage of DeSantis READ: BBC Coverage of DeSantis This episode was recorded in July 2023 If you enjoy the podcast, please remember to give us a nice rating, leave a review or contact us: you can reach host Liam on Twitter/X via @thisistheheff or the American Studies team via @AmericanStudies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of slavery, you most likely picture an African American on a white southern plantation, but the roots of slavery extended to Native American communities too. In this episode we take a closer look at Cherokee freedpeople, why emancipation didn't necessarily mean freedom, and the complicated relationship with the federal government as we answer... how did slavery impact Cherokee Nation? Joining the podcast is Dr. Andi Bawden. Her PhD considered Cherokee freedpeople and was interested in questions of race, identity, citizenship and sovereignty in the 19th and 20th centuries. If you like this episode, you may also be interested in: How Did the 50 States Become the 50 States? Who Are Native Americans? If you enjoy the podcast, please remember to leave us a rating and review. You can also Tweet/X Liam via @thisistheheff or UEA's American Studies team at @AmericanStudies Alternatively, if you have any episode or guest suggestions, please email hello@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From peanut farmer to Nobel Peace Prize winner via the White House, Jimmy Carter is a man driven by his strong faith in God, and a strong desire to succeed. But what exactly did the 39th President achieve, and what will his enduring legacy be? In this episode, we dive a bit deeper in our first Presidential biography as we ask... who is Jimmy Carter? Our guests this week are: Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are ‘Reagan: American Icon’ and ‘FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America’. Daniel K. Williams, a professor of history at the University of West Georgia and the author of several books on religion and politics in the United States, including ‘The Election of the Evangelical: Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and the Presidential Contest of 1976’. Additional Resources: READ: Reagan: American Icon READ: FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America READ: The Election of the Evangelical: Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and the Presidential Contest of 1976 LISTEN: Presidential - Jimmy Carter: Keeping the Faith LISTEN: American Elections: Wicked Games - 1976, Ford vs Carter: Unimpeachable WEB: The Carter Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Dream has come to define what every American should reach for. You'll hear it in almost every Presidential campaign speech, you'll read about it in every American novel, and you'll see it depicted in every classic American painting (basically anything by Edward Hopper), but do we even know what it is? Is it the same for everyone? And how can you get it? In this episode we are going to take a closer look and figure out if there's any actual reality to this Dream, or if it's one big PR scam, as we answer the question... what is the American Dream? Joining me on the podcast for the first time, but hopefully not the last, is Christopher Bigsby, an emeritus professor at the University of East Anglia. He has published more than sixty books, co-written radio and television plays, and published a number of novels, as well as a biography of Arthur Miller. Points of Discussion: The first use of the American Dream and its popularization through works such as The Great Gatsby Is the American Dream really just the Caucasian Dream? We discuss the intent behind the American Dream, and its applicability to non-white, non-males. If you want to achieve the American Dream, is it more complicated than just buying some land and a gun? Additional Resources: BOOK: The Epic of America by James Truslow Adams SONG: Only in America by Jay & the Americans PLAY: The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O’Neill BOOK: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck BOOK: Who Are We? by Samuel P. Huntington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On average, there is at least one mass shooting in America every single day. News of the latest school shooting has become a regular occurrence, as gun crime in America draws attention not just domestically, but around the world. Gun violence is an epidemic that shows no signs of stopping, but why? Why is banning guns so controversial? Who is standing in the way? And why would anyone still be in support of gun ownership? In this episode, we discuss an issue that continues to plague and divide America, as we figure out... why are guns still legal? Returning to the podcast from the faculty is Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. Our special guest is Chris Marvin, a retired Army officer, Black Hawk helicopter pilot, and a combat-wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Today he serves as the veteran lead for the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization, Everytown for Gun Safety. He is also an expert on gun suicide prevention, and he is currently producing a documentary exploring American gun culture. Chris shares his insights as he continues the fight to end gun violence, and prevent guns from being the single biggest killer of children in the US. Additional Resources: WEBSITE: Everytown for Gun Safety ARTICLE: Gun Violence a Major and Growing National Problem by Pew Research Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of the Civil Rights Movement, you probably think of Martin Luther King, the back of the bus, or maybe even the Klu Klux Klan. Over time, the battle for civil rights in America has been simplified, tweaked, even fabricated. So in this episode we take a closer look at a struggle which has torn apart, reshaped and defined the United States of America as we ask... what do we get wrong about the Civil Rights Movement? Joining from the faculty is Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of 'Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960.' His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism. We also have the pleasure of being joined on this episode by Gary Younge, an award-winning author, broadcaster and professor of sociology at the University of Manchester. His books include The Speech: The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream, and he is one of the most highly regarded voices on global civil rights. Connect with Gary Younge: Visit his website Follow on X Additional Resources: BOOK: Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960 by Nicholas Grant BOOK: The Speech: The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream by Gary Younge WEBSITE: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) BOOK: Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision by Barbara Ransbury BOOK: Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It: The Memoir of Jo Ann Gibson Robinson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Super Bowl has evolved from just an American football game to an annual entertainment spectacle. But how did the Super Bowl manage to live up to its name so much? Why is football so deeply rooted in American life? And what does America's love of sport tell us about their national identity? In this episode, we explore how a national sport became a multi-billion dollar economy as we answer the question… what makes the Super Bowl so super? From the faculty this week, and making his professional debut on the podcast, is Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. And our special guest is a guy who, to many NFL podcast fans, will be a very recognisable voice. Robert Mays is the host of The Athletic Football Show and all-round expert of the sport. Additional Resources: PODCAST: The Athletic Football Show WEBSITE: NFL Website BOOK: The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of US history, do Native Americans come to mind? In this episode, we begin our journey into the history of indigenous people of North America, their complicated relationship with the US federal government, and their ongoing fight to protect the land they call home, as we answer the question... who are Native Americans? Returning from the faculty today is Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University of East Anglia. And our special guest is Stephanie Pratt, who was appointed as the first Cultural Ambassador for the Crow Creek Dakota Tribal Council, where she is an enrolled member. She is also a highly respected academic who has published extensively on the visual and museum representations made of Indigenous American peoples from early contact to the present day. Additional Resources: WEBSITE: Edward S. Curtis Gallery BOOK: Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota by Gwen Westerman & Bruce White FILM: We Shall Remain Please remember to follow and share wherever you're listening to this podcast, and connect with us on twitter via @thisistheheff or @AmericanStudies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US Supreme Court is not averse to grabbing headlines. It caused a major recent controversy for overturning Roe v Wade in 2022. The decisions made by the Supreme Court set precedence and define the US legal landscape. However, the small group of justices are comprised of individuals nominated by the President. In this episode we're going to look at the politics of the Supreme Court - who are the justices and what power do they really have - as we find out... what exactly is the Supreme Court? Joining from the faculty this week is Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. Additional Resources: WEBSITE: The Supreme Court Official Website WEBSITE: SCOTUSblog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past 250 years, the United States of America have grown from 13 founding colonies to 50 states and multiple territories, but what does it take to become a state? Why is expansionism so important? And what about Native Americans? In this episode, we explore how colonialism created a blueprint for modern America as we answer the question... how did the 50 states become the 50 states? We're joined on this episode by Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University of East Anglia, with an interest in the American West, immigration and Americanisation. Additional Resources: BOOK: The Invasion of America by Francis Jennings PAMPHLET: Common Sense by Thomas Paine Please share this podcast with friends, colleagues or peers, and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us. Alternatively, you can tweet us at @AmericanStudies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the mid 1980s, author Winston Groom published a story which would, thanks to its Oscar-winning Hollywood adaptation, come to be a quintessential American tale. Forrest Gump's life zigzags around some of the most important moments in 20th century American history. But where's the line between fact and fiction? In this episode we dive into a modern classic and do a bit of fact-checking to answer the question... how accurate is Forrest Gump? Joining me from the faculty today is Jon Mitchell, an Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. He is interested in late 20th Century US culture, with a particular interest in the representation of gender and sexuality. See Jon's full bio Additional Resources: BOOK: Forrest Gump (1986) by Winston Groom MOVIE: Forrest Gump (1994) BOOK: Revisions of the American Adam: Innocence, Identity And Masculinity In Twentieth Century America (Continuum Literary Studies) by Jon Mitchell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The President of the United States is arguably the most high profile head of state, and not an easy job to win. But what does it actually take to get to the White House? How is it possible for someone to lose the national vote and still win the election? And how is it that America's democratically elected Presidents can be as divisive as Donald Trump, or as scandalous as Richard Nixon? In this episode, we take a closer look at the election process - how it works, who can run, and why certain people seem to find it much easier to win, as we answer the question... how are Presidents elected? Joining in from the faculty this week is Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. We’re also joined by Jon Sopel, the former BBC North America Editor and author of three books about the Trump presidency, including the bestseller ‘If Only They Didn’t Speak English’. He has been at the forefront of BBC coverage of the last five presidential elections, and he now hosts daily podcast ‘The News Agents’ and spin-off show 'The News Agents USA' akongside Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall. Additional resources: BOOK: If Only They Didn’t Speak English by Jon Sopel PODCAST: Presidential PODCAST: Wicked Games WEBSITE: The Living Room Candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's almost impossible to talk about American history without looking at slavery. The slave trade and slavery became one of the economic foundations of the US throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, but a growing anti-slavery movement created a huge political divide which ultimately led to the American Civil War. Today, it's hard to imagine why anyone would risk their life to preserve the institution of slavery, so in this episode we are going to take a closer look at those people and their reasons. Who supported slavery? What was in it for them? And ultimately... why did America ban slavery? Joining the podcast this week is Dr. Rebecca Fraser, a historian of 19th century America with a particular interest in the history of African Americans, especially relating to their resistance against slavery and the enslaved experience. Additional Resources: NOVEL: Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad (2016) TV Adaptation The Underground Railroad, Dir., Barry Jenkins, 2021 on Amazon Prime NOVEL: Toni Morrison, Beloved, (1987) NOVEL: Yaa Gysai, Homegoing (2016) FILM: Harriet, Dir., Kasi Lemmons (2019) FILM: 12 Years a Slave, Dir., Steve McQueen (2013) BOOK: Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain, eds., Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019. London: Penguin, 2021. BOOK: Marcus Rediker, The Slave Ship: A Human History. London: John Murray 2008. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US Constitution has been the bedrock of United States law since its creation shortly after the American Revolution. But how does something drafted over 200 years ago remain so relevant? What exactly is the difference between the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Amendments? And what exactly is the difference between federal and state law? In this episode we're taking a closer look at one of the most important documents ever written to answer the question... what is the Constitution? Joining Liam this week is Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. Additional Resources: PODCAST: Constitutional podcast by the Washington Post WEBSITE: National Constitution Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special preview episode of America: A History Podcast, we ask some of our faculty and special guests... what is America? From gun control to Black Lives Matter, the US is a land of opportunity and contradiction; a 'land of the free' but also one of the last countries to ban slavery; the 'home of the brave' where guns are the single biggest killer of children. America is a country with a complex and complicated history, which is why we made a podcast about it. A special thanks to the guests featured on this episode: Robert Mays, host of The Athletic Football Show Jon Sopel, journalist and host of The News Agents & The News Agents USA Chris Marvin, Veteran Lead at Everytown for Gun Safety Remember to visit the website and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts. America: A History Podcast launches on July 4th 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to America: A History Podcast, where we have a dream to do US history more bigly than anyone has done it before and make podcasts great again. Launching on July 4th 2023. Each week, host Liam is joined by an expert from the University of East Anglia and a special guest to explore the people, places and events that make the USA what it is today, answering a different question like 'how are Presidents elected', 'what is the Supreme Court' or 'how accurate is Forrest Gump'? This is US history without the fake news, as we have honest and sometimes sensitive conversations about the things that really matter to understand how the alleged greatest country in the world came to be. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices