While studying the Civil War, my students were surprised to discover that among its many consequences were the founding and expansion of hundreds of colleges and universities.
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A shortage of greatness
In many ways the center of the colonies, of the Confederation and of the country in the early federal period, Philadelphia produced virtually none of its biggest leaders. Why not?
Submarines and Drones
Woodrow Wilson’s 1917 description of submarine warfare reminded the class of the current debate over the use of drones to target terrorists.
Painstaking steps forward
The 13th amendment abolishing slavery was ratified in 1865 but a generation later most blacks in the South were not free.
We the oppressed
The current crowd of would-be secessionists quotes freely from the Declaration of Independence. They should read another of Jefferson’s great works, his first inaugural address, in which he says, the first principle of republics is “absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority”.
1812: The war without a name
In its bicentennial year, we should give it a name that conveys some useful information about the conflict.
For city schools, a century of struggle
Reports of the imminent collapse of the Philadelphia school district are exaggerated. It has struggled since it was created and it’s worth considering that history before the next rescue operation is undertaken.
The president’s palace guard
Nineteenth century Americans would be horrified to see that the president of United States now lives surrounded by armed guards, bulletproof glass and surface-to-air missiles. They hoped that a chief executive elected by the people would not need protection from his fellow citizens.