Presidential Elections and Campaigns: What Can We Learn from History?

As we quickly approach the 2020 presidential election, Ashbrook is looking back to see what insights we can glean from history. While no one knows the outcome of the elections in November, we can learn important lessons from our history.

Each episode of this three-part webinar series will focus on a single pivotal election to examine the important people and events of those times to see what we can learn for today. The series, taken together, will provide attendees with a view of American presidential electoral politics as it has evolved over the centuries, how things have changed, and how in some cases, things have been remarkably consistent.

These live programs are free to all, and attendees will be able to ask the panelists questions via the chat function during the program. All episodes will air at 8 pm Eastern Time and will last 60 minutes each.

Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, Professor Political Science at Ashland University and Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, will lead each episode, interviewing a different scholar from our graduate faculty each week.

Episode titles and suggested readings for each are below.

August 4: Jefferson and the Election of 1800; Panelist: Dr. Cara Rogers

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• • Alien and Sedition Acts, 13 NOV 1797
  • Letter to John Taylor, Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1798
  • Letter to Elbridge Gerry, Thomas Jefferson, 26 JAN 1799
  • Letter to Harrison Gray Otis, Alexander Hamilton, 23 DEC 1800
  • Letter to Thomas Mann Rudolph, Thomas Jefferson, 19 FEB 1801
  • First Inaugural Address, Thomas Jefferson, 4 MAR 1801

August 11: Lincoln and the Election of 1860; Panelist: Dr. Jason Stevens

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• • Republican Party Platform of 1860
  • Democratic Party Platform of 1860
  • South Carolina’s Declaration of the Causes of Secession, 24 DEC 1860
  • Farewell Speech, Abraham Lincoln, 11 FEB 1861
  • Speech at Independence Hall, Abraham Lincoln, 22 FEB 1861
  • First Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, 4 MAR 1861

August 18: Reagan and the Election of 1980; Panelist: Dr. Chris Burkett

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• • Acceptance Speech 1980 Democratic Convention, Jimmy Carter, 14 AUG 1980
  • Crisis of Confidence Speech, Jimmy Carter, 15 July 1979
  • A Time for Choosing, Ronald Reagan, 27 OCT 1964
  • Acceptance Speech at 1980 Republican Convention, Ronald Reagan, 17 July 1980
  • Transcript: Presidential Debate in Cleveland, OH, 28 OCT 1980

The goal of these webinars is to put our upcoming presidential election within the context of America’s story. With this historical perspective, we hope to better understand see the light that history can shed on current events and renew our own understanding of America’s principles.