Andrew Hartman Interview 18/2/2019

02/19/19 • 27 min

Cambridge American History Seminar Podcast

Lent term is whizzing by- here's the fourth episode of term! Dr Andrew Hartman, a professor of history at Illinois State University and the founding president of the Society for U.S. Intellectual History, talks to PhD student Richard Saich about his paper and broader work. Dr Hartman's paper, titled 'Karl Marx and the Cycles of American Capitalism', deals with the uses of Marxian thought in the American context from the nineteenth century to the present day. He and Richard discuss the uniquely American historical applications and debates surrounding Marx and his ideas, as well as the continuing relevance of Marxism in contemporary political debate on both sides of the Atlantic. They also touch on, among other things, American Exceptionalism, the role of historians in public life, and(finally!)the podcast's first metalhead. Be sure to listen to Andrew and Ray Haberski's fantastic podcast, Trotsky and the Wild Orchids. Their latest episode, on the work and legacies of Eric Hobsbawm is a real treat to listen to, but there's a lot of gems in the back catalogue too! Feel free to get in touch via @camericanist on Twitter or [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback for the future. Spread the word, and thanks for listening! See you next week!

Previous Episode

Karine Walther Interview 11/2/2019

It's the third episode of Lent 2019, and a fascinating (and timely) conversation to boot! Karine Walther, Associate Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar speaks to recently submitted (congratulations!)Cambridge PhD student Tom Smith about her paper 'Spreading the Faith: American Missionaries, ARAMCO and the Birth of the US-Saudi Special Relationship, 1889-1955'. Professor Walther looks at the work of American Missionaries both on the ground in Arabia and back in the United States, and their role in shaping American approaches to the Middle East. Building on her previous project, which ended its focus 1921, this paper(and the upcoming book)explores the complicated relationship between the formation of the Arabian American Oil Company(ARAMCO)and American missionary activity and ideology. The conversation also touches on (among other things) the meaning and consequences of the US-Saudi 'special relationship', the new perspectives gained by working on the Gulf region from Qatar, and a rather unique archival problem! Feel free to get in touch via @camericanist on Twitter or [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback for the future. Spread the word, and thanks for listening! See you next week!

Next Episode

Kate Masur Interview 25/2/2019

Another week and another episode! This week Professor Kate Masur, associate professor of history at Northwestern University, speaks to Cambridge PhD student Jeanine Quené about her paper "State Sovereignty and Migration Before Reconstruction" and its place within her wider work. Professor Masur discusses the relationship between poor laws and both African-American and immigrant populations in the United States, conceptions of region in debates over states rights, and the importance of analysing the Antebellum period in order to better understand the significance of Reconstruction. If that somehow isn't enough for you, we also hear about the history of Ohio, the midwestern anti-slavery movement, and the second best Rock Opera of the 1970's. If you want to know what the first best Rock Opera of the 1970's is, or if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback, get in touch via @camericanist on Twitter or [email protected]. Spread the word, and thanks for listening! See you next week!