Tag Archives: William Henry Harrison

047 – Old Hickory and Old Tip

December 19, 2017Uncategorizedandrew jackson, Colombia, democratic party, election of 1836, election of 1840, henry clay, martin van buren, whig party, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Though never personal, throughout the course of the early 19th century, Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison found their lives intertwined for decades, through war and peace. Though they often found themselves in competition, there were also some rare instances where they could be found on the same side, and the story of their relationship over time provides much insight about the antebellum period of American history. Source information for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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044 – GTH: How Texas Kept Clay From the White House

November 5, 2017UncategorizedDaniel Webster, democratic party, election of 1844, henry clay, John Tyler, martin van buren, whig party, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

John Tyler’s unexpected ascendancy to the presidency causes both Whigs and Democrats to think and rethink their strategies for the 1844 presidential election. Presumptive candidates Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren prepare to lead their respective parties into the general campaign, but for both, complications arise that threaten their political futures as the ambitious new president makes a priority of bringing Texas into the Union. Dissension in the ranks, rivals for power, and increased sectional tensions all threaten to make 1844 a year that Clay and Van Buren may wish to forget. Source information for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com

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043 – With Friends Like These

October 22, 2017UncategorizedDaniel Webster, election of 1836, election of 1840, henry clay, martin van buren, panic of 1837, William Henry Harrison, Winfield Scottwhhpodcast

He may have lost in 1832, but that didn’t mean that Henry Clay lost his desire for the presidency. As 1836 and 1840 neared, each time, the gentleman from Kentucky had to decide whether to go for the gold once more. However, he would find the way in both contests littered with other Whig contenders in addition to old Sweet Sandy Whiskers (aka: Martin Van Buren) on the Democratic side. Nevertheless, the Senator persevered through the late 1830s and would take on presidents, generals, senators, pro-slavery southerners, and abolitionists in his quest to make it to the White House. Source information for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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040 – Like a Not So Good Neighbor

August 14, 2017UncategorizedArgentina, Brazil, Cuba, Gran Colombia, Haiti, henry clay, Joel R Poinsett, John Quincy Adams, John Sergeant, Latin America, Mexico, Panama Conference, Simon Bolivar, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Joel R Poinsett by Charles Fenderich, courtesy of Wikipedia

The State Department under Henry Clay attempts to make its pivot to a focus on Latin America, but in its engagement with other nations in the Western Hemisphere, the nation’s diplomatic office stumbles and at times falls completely short. Clay struggles to deal with overzealous diplomats, turbulent situations on the ground, and British intrigues to gain influence in the region at the expense of the United States. The Western Star faces his greatest challenge yet when he assumes the role of Secretary of State and learns just how fraught with peril geopolitical relations can be. Source information for this episode can be found at whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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035 – Interview with Ron Shafer

May 21, 2017Uncategorizedandrew jackson, election of 1840, election of 1844, henry clay, Horace Greeley, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, martin van buren, panic of 1837, Ron Shafer, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Ron Shafer, author of The Carnival Campaign, shares his insight into the 1840 presidential campaign, some of the prominent figures and circumstances of the time, and how he feels that William Henry Harrison is the figure from the 1840 campaign that people should know more about. During the course of the interview, Ron brings in his experience as a former Wall Street Journal reporter and editor, in particular his writing the page one column The Washington Wire, to share with listeners how the 1840 campaign in particular and early American politics in particular compares with our own time.

More information about this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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034 – Mr. Speaker to Mr. Diplomat

May 13, 2017UncategorizedDeWitt Clinton, Election of 1812, henry clay, James Madison, John Quincy Adams, Treaty of Ghent, War of 1812, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

The Star of the West, Henry Clay, heads east as he is appointed as a peace commissioner and sent to Ghent, Belgium to negotiate with the British to end a war that was not going all that well (except for, of course, in the campaigns led by General William Henry Harrison). Before heading off to Europe though, Clay also had his first brush with presidential politics as he was offered a place on a presidential ticket. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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032 – Westward Ho

April 18, 2017Uncategorizedandrew jackson, Great Britain, Great Migration, John Quincy Adams, Mexico, Northwest Territory, Oregon Territory, Spain, Texas, Trail of Tears, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Westward expansion was one of the underlying causes of the American Revolution and played a key role in early American history. In this episode, I give a quick overview of the American push towards the Pacific beginning with the trans-Appalachian west and carrying on to Texas and Oregon. This expansion would ultimately impact not just the settlers making the move but also the native peoples already in the area as well as have ramifications for the 19th century geopolitical landscape. Source information and handy maps for reference can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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031 – The Death Episode

April 4, 2017UncategorizedDaniel Webster, death, Dr. Thomas Miller, John Tyler, presidential funeral, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Death of Harrison by Currier and Ives [c. 1841] courtesy of the Library of Congress

The time has finally come for President Harrison to meet his maker. However, as with many things, the story of Harrison’s last days is not as clear cut as it’s been made out to be in history. I look at the details of his last illness as well as how 21st century medical knowledge questions the diagnosis of pneumonia as his cause of death. Also, I spend some time on the idea of legacy and a few ways, both directly and tangentially, Harrison’s life and death contributed to the future. Source information for his episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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030 – Presidents on Harrison

March 12, 2017UncategorizedAbraham Lincoln, andrew jackson, George W Bush, George Washington, Harry S Truman, James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, martin van buren, Millard Fillmore, Rutherford B Hayes, Thomas Jefferson, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Harry S Truman by Greta Kempton, courtesy of the Truman Library

We step out of the narrative for this episode and examine what evidence is in the historical record about what other presidents thought of William Henry Harrison. From the first president to the forty-third, Old Tippecanoe elicited much comment from both contemporaries and future generations. Some presidents campaigned for him. Others fought to keep him out of the White House. Some admired him. Others ridiculed him. Some pronounced him “first-rate” while others called him a “stuffed shirt.” Some proclaimed him to be “the stern and unflinching advocate of popular rights” while others felt that his election would lead to the nation’s “end like that of ancient republics.” Find out who said what about the General in this episode. Source information can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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029 – The Thirty Days

February 26, 2017Uncategorizedandrew jackson, Daniel Webster, Dr. Thomas Miller, George Badger, henry clay, inauguration, John Bell, John Chambers, John J Crittenden, John Tyler, martin van buren, spoils system, Thomas Ewing, whig party, William Henry Harrisonwhhpodcast

Lithograph assumed to be of Harrison’s inauguration by Charles Fenderich, courtesy of Wikipedia

Though the presidency of William Henry Harrison was short, the emotions of those thirty days ran the gamut. The jubilation and mirth of the inauguration quickly gave way to the frustration of trying to appease supporters with patronage. The stress got to Harrison so much that Andrew and I had to censor him on his own show (this is supposed to be a family-friendly show, General – control yourself!). Between the office seekers, Henry Clay’s impetuousness, and the looming fiscal crisis, Harrison did not have an easy go of it in the first few weeks but did still manage to keep up a lively social calendar before a doctor was called in on March 26th. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

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Harrison Podcast

A Podcast Centered Around William Henry Harrison, the One-Month President

Tag Archives: William Henry Harrison

047 – Old Hickory and Old Tip

044 – GTH: How Texas Kept Clay From the White House

043 – With Friends Like These

040 – Like a Not So Good Neighbor

035 – Interview with Ron Shafer

034 – Mr. Speaker to Mr. Diplomat

032 – Westward Ho

031 – The Death Episode

030 – Presidents on Harrison

029 – The Thirty Days