BONUS: Is Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator or Just Another Racist?

BONUS: Is Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator or Just Another Racist?

Author: Liam Heffernan March 29, 2025 Duration: 13:12

In this special bonus episode, following our previous episode What is Emancipation?, we discuss the often overlooked issue of Abraham Lincoln's own prejudice, and how this changed over the course of the civil war.

Plus, our guest discusses his own research on Sherman's March, and his upcoming biography on General Sherman himself.

...

Special guest for this episode:

  • Bennett Parten, an Assistant Professor of History at Georgia Southern University, and the author of ‘Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation’

...

Highlights from this episode:

  • Emancipation and Reconstruction are massive topics that deserve in-depth exploration and discussion.
  • Abraham Lincoln's complicated relationship with race reveals a man whose views evolved over time.
  • Lincoln's early beliefs included ideas of racial superiority and colonization, reflecting the prejudices of his era.
  • The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and how perspectives on figures like Lincoln can change.

...

Additional Resources:

Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation by Bennett Parten

Emancipation Proclamation (1863) | National Archives

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

Why Did America Ban Slavery?

How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?

Who is Frederick Douglass?

What Does Kindred Tell Us About Plantation Life?

Who is Harriet Tubman?

...

Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com

Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month

Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/

Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?

Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
What is the Mayflower? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:23
On this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments…
BONUS: Should the US Treasury Be Independent from the President? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:15
In this bonus episode, we explore the intricate relationship between the U.S. Treasury and the broader financial system, the complexities of government finance, and its impact on our daily lives. We also discuss the sepa…
What is the History of California? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
On this day in 1850, the thirty-first state of the Union is admitted. So today, on its 175th birthday, I want to find out a little more about its history before statehood, the reasons why it became an important piece of…
BONUS: Houdini, London and the Unpickable Lock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the life and performances of the legendary magician Harry Houdini, with a focus on one of his most remarkable feats, at the London Hippodrome, where he was challenges to unpick the w…
IN THE MAKING: Is America Heading Towards a Trump Dictatorship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:08
In this special solo edition of In The Making, I explore the troubling signs that suggest America might be inching towards a dictatorship under Donald Trump, and lay out the evidence indicating how he’s strategically sur…
What is the US Treasury? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
This week, we're diving deep into the world of money and the pivotal role the U.S. Treasury plays in shaping the American economy.Behind every success and failure in American history lies a story deeply intertwined with…
BONUS: What Would You Do in a Gold Rush? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:09
In this bonus episode, we unravel the age-old question of who decided gold was worth something in the first place. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about its shiny allure; there’s a whole lot of history and economics at play…
Who is Harry Houdini? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:31
Would you throw yourself over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Well, this week, we’re talking about the man who, allegedly, did just that. His performances have become the stuff of legend, including the one he did on this very…
BONUS: The Legacy of Emperor Norton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the intriguing subject of Emperor Norton, a figure who declared himself the Emperor of the United States, and the cultural implications of such a declaration.We touch on the unique n…