From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. By the 1850s America was in the middle of the Second American Party System of Democrats and Whigs. The two equally strong parties had members in every corner of the country. While there was plenty to argue about – banks, tariffs, and internal improvements – these issues … Continue reading History of American Political Parties, History of Politics Part VIII: The Politics of Slavery →

There are certain days in our nation’s history that are simply more important than others. These days tend to be ones that have changed our nation for better or worse. These are turning point days and generation-defining dates. For my generation, Gen X, that date is Sept. 11, 2001, as we were in high school … Continue reading The Loss of Innocence →

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. Love him or hate him, Andrew Jackson is undoubtably one of the most influential and important presidents in American history. Jackson’s presidential victory in 1828 ushered in several major political parties shifts including the creation of a new party and the birth of the Second American Party … Continue reading History of American Political Parties, Part VII: Birth of the Second American Party System →

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. If you have followed my column over the years you may have noticed a theme. My belief is that there is really nothing new, that in some way or another we have seen everything before. Most of my writing is comparing modern events to the past. Yet, … Continue reading Selecting Speakers and Turbulent Times →

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. The election of 1824 brought a massive change to how parties functioned in the U.S. The Jacksonian Age is highlighted by the growth of democracy. Whereas before only property-owning men could vote, by 1824 most states had dropped property requirements allowing all white men the vote. (Most … Continue reading History of American Political Parties, Part VI: The Rise of Jackson →