Politics and the Press in Gilded Age Chicago

That Time that Russia Sold Alaska to the U.S. to Pay for the Crimean War

And the double agent who helped them.

Aug 15 • 

Jen Just

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1

Women of the American Revolution

Also: What makes a hero, anyway?

Aug 1 • 

Jen Just

1

1

June 2025

A Shockingly Early Defense of Free Speech

An anonymous American writer draws on lessons of the past to make his case that threats to free speech can lead to tyranny - in 1737.

Jun 27 • 

Jen Just

2

No Kings! (1600s Version)

How a British Barrister MAY have paved the way for American rebellion, and the U.S. Constitution.

Jun 11 • 

Jen Just

4

6

April 2025

Paul Revere's Many Runs.

Some of the History of Patriot's Day i.e. Lexington & Concord, April 18th.

Apr 26 • 

Jen Just

4

8

Abuse(s) of Power - Gilded Age 1 Style.

In 1893, a Governor Overreaches and the Press Fights Back.

Apr 8 • 

Jen Just

3

March 2025

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Etc.

Bring Back Political Cartoons. Please.

Mar 14 • 

Jen Just

4

Say It Ain't So.

Is Journalism Better or Worse at Protecting Democracy than it was In Gilded Age Chicago?

Mar 6 • 

Jen Just

1

7

February 2025

How Beer Beat a Businessman Politician in 1873 Chicago

Don't come between a Chicagoan and his pitcher.

Feb 15 • 

Jen Just

2

[Reprint from June 2024] Is Trump Spoiling For a Return to the Spoils System?

I was going to update this to account for the Elon era, but this works pretty well as-is.

Feb 8 • 

Jen Just

1

January 2025

That Time Chicago Spoke Up for Revolutionary Cuba

American Expansionism, 1890s Edition.

Jan 26 • 

Jen Just

2

New Year's Resolutions Then And Now

And a quick note about nu-Imperialism.

Jan 11 • 

Jen Just