Welcome to Ben Franklin's World,

Podcast about Early American History with Liz Covert.

The study of history is key to understanding who we are

and how we can affect a better future.

Van Franklin's world will introduce you to historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present day world.

And now, here's your host, Liz Colarn.

Hello and welcome to episode 78 of Ben Franklin's world.

The podcast dedicated to helping you,

learn more about how the people and events of our early American past have shaped the

present day world we live in.

Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or perhaps just someone who takes a keen interest

in the politics of the United States.

I think we can agree on the fact that the U.S. is in the midst of a deep political divide.

Political divisions are not new, but the last time the United States faced this deep of a divide, it tore the nation

apart.

Literally, it was the Civil War period.

Can history help us solve our present-day political crisis?

Today we speak with Rachel Sheldon, an assistant professor of American history at the University

of Oklahoma, and author of Washington Brotherhood, politics, social life, and the coming of the Civil War.

Rachel is an expert on the political and social history of the Antibellum or pre-war

period and she's going to help us investigate whether the past might help us narrow the divide we face in our present.

During our investigation, Rachel reveals the political parties and political divisions that existed in the United States

...