History: Beyond the Textbook

Alex Mattke

History: Beyond the Textbook examines American history through the experiences of those who lived it!  Each 12-episode season, high school history teacher Alex Mattke covers a separate era of American history and features perspectives on well-known events and lesser-known experiences of famous historical figures.  Season Three, covering "America's Crucial Years," returns on October 8 with new episodes every Tuesday up until the finale on December 24!  Catch up on Seasons One (America's Colonial Era) and Two (America's Revolution) wherever you listen to podcasts.Feel free to contact us with feedback and other questions at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com. 

  1. May 13

    4.12: The Conscious Campaigner: Aaron Burr and the “Revolutionary” Election of 1800

    Send us Fan Mail Every four years, the United States holds a presidential election, and the Electoral College selects the next president.  1800 was no different, although the result certainly was different than the previous three: for the first time, an individual who did not hold Federalist leanings would assume the role of Chief Executive.  Of the principal players in this electoral rematch, we’ve already covered the winner, Thomas Jefferson, and the runner-up, John Adams, so they’re out as our main subjects for this topic.  However, there were technically two winners in 1800, throwing the election to the constitutionally mandated House of Representatives: Aaron Burr of New York ran with Jefferson, tied him in the Electoral College, and allowed the House to draw the election out for well past 30 votes.  The results of the election of 1800, and Burr’s role in it, will reshape the federal government, and lead to the addition of the twelfth amendment to the Constitution.  As Burr is an individual who began to alter the way politicians approached elections, now is the perfect time to shine the light on the man who posterity primarily remembers for the fatal blow he delivered to Alexander Hamilton.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, our final episode that focuses on America’s Federalist Era, we’ll examine Aaron Burr, the perplexing politician of the election of 1800. Key People Aaron Burr Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton James Bayard Key Event Presidential Election of 1800 We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    29 min

  2. May 5

    4.11: Benjamin Franklin Bache and Thomas Jefferson: The Republican Renegades of the Alien and Sedition Acts

    Send us Fan Mail There are a few moments in American history where it appeared at the time, and even more so in hindsight, where laws were passed that stunted individual American rights in the name of national security.  The first of these laws were the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed in the late 1790’s as a response to the supposed threat that French and Irish immigrants, and potential spies, posed to the infant United States.  Curiously, these laws seemingly targeted those who were the most critical of the Adams administration, like newspaper editor Benjamin Franklin Bache.  The outcry surrounding them also led to a pair of formal responses that have gone down as the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, one of which was authored by none other than Vice-President Thomas Jefferson.  It appeared to be a constitutional crisis in the making, with two famous names taking center stage in its production.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, we’ll explore Benjamin Franklin Bache and Thomas Jefferson: The Republican Renegades of the Alien and Sedition Acts. Key People Benjamin Franklin Bache Thomas Jefferson Key Events/Ideas Alien and Sedition Acts Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Nullification We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    27 min

  3. Apr 28

    4.10: Elbridge Gerry and Dr. George Logan: Polarizing Politicians of the XYZ Affair

    Send us Fan Mail As John Adams claimed the presidency, “France” was the nation that lay on the minds of most Americans, and these problems would lead to hostile actions towards American shipping and an event known as the “XYZ Affair.”  Two contrasting techniques were ultimately used to solve this problem, though both appear similar on the surface: negotiations were to be the order of the day, one set sanctioned by the federal government, and the other was to be unofficial and would lead to a law still in effect today.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, our first of three in which we examine how America’s Federalist Era came to an end, we look at Elbridge Gerry and Dr. George Logan, the Polarizing Politicians of the XYZ Affair. Key People Elbridge Gerry Dr. George Logan John Adams Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord Key Events XYZ Affair Quasi-War Logan Act We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    30 min

  4. Apr 21

    4.9: Olaudah Equiano and James Monroe: the Author and Governor of early American Abolition

    Send us Fan Mail The idea of immediately ending slavery was viewed as unconstitutional since it was never explicitly mentioned in the document that came out of the Philadelphia Convention, and the legal ramifications extended to compensation since, by law, these humans were the equivalent of property and slaveowners would need fair and just compensation.  The time frame of this season presents two contrasting methods for ending slavery: one involving informing the public of the horrors surrounding the “peculiar institution,” while the other involved the use of violence to bring said institution to an immediate end.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, our last episode dealing with slavery in America’s Federalist Era, we’ll address Olaudah Equiano and James Monroe: The Abolitionist Author and Proslavery Governor of America’s Federalist Era. Key People Olaudah Equiano James Monroe Thomas Jefferson Key Events  Publication of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African, by Himself  Gabriel's Rebellion We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    32 min

  5. Apr 14

    4.8: Eli Whitney, the Cotton Gin, and the foundations of American Industry

    Send us Fan Mail Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in the 1790’s, and the previously laborious process of separating cotton seeds by hand was now mechanized, and thus, more efficient.  Admittedly, the previous statement is a bit of an oversimplification…but who actually invented the cotton gin?  Why did the perceived need for more slaves come about due to this innovation?  And how does this staple of the agrarian South, and frankly, the additional contributions of Eli Whitney, lead the United States down the path to a more industrial future?  In this episode of History: Beyond the textbook, our second episode that features slavery during America’s Federalist Era, we’ll explore Eli Whitney, the Cotton Gin, and the foundations of American Industry. We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    30 min

  6. Apr 7

    4.7: Dr. Rush, the Free African Society, and Philadelphia's Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

    Send us Fan Mail Yellow fever devastated the nation’s capital of Philadelphia in 1793…hardly a center known for its tropical climate, but the disease nevertheless proved deadly.  Our focus today is placed on one individual, and one group: one was a Founding Father who was certain that he was correct about how to treat the disease, and the other was a society not yet one decade old whose members were tasked with assisting with the afflicted.  In today’s episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, our first of three episodes focusing on how slavery affected society during America’s Federalist Years, we’ll explore Dr. Benjamin Rush, the Free African Society, and Philadelphia’s Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Key People Richard Allen Absalom Jones Dr. Benjamin Rush John Adams Key Events Philadelphia's Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    31 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    4.6: His Own Man: Toussaint Louverture, Indispensable Leader of the Haitian Revolution

    Send us Fan Mail The struggles of Haiti go back talking hundreds of years, from when French colonization and their participation in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade reshaped the fabric of the western half of the island on which Haiti is located.  The brutality that accompanied this system led to the most successful slave rebellion in human history: the Haitian Revolution.  The institution of slavery, let alone any revolts by enslaved individuals, that occurred in the Caribbean are rarely mentioned since they are viewed outside the scope and scale of “U.S. history.”  However, this events allows us to understand American reactions to it, as well as focus on a truly unique individual, one who combined the traits of an astute political, military, and social leader to command the respect and admiration of his people.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, we’ll explore Toussaint Louverture, the Indispensable Leader of the Haitian Revolution.  Key People Toussaint Louverture Boukman Dutty Jean-Jacques Dessalines  Napoleon Bonaparte Charles Emanuel Leclerc Key Events/Concepts Haitian Revolution We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    34 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    4.5: Kamehameha The Great and the Unification of the Hawai'ian Islands

    Send us Fan Mail Unfortunately, in your typical U.S History course, Hawai’i probably enters the narrative during a unit on imperialism, where Queen Lili’uokalani was forced into surrendering the throne and James Dole’s company established a fruit empire.  Pearl Harbor was bombed and prompted U.S. entry into World War II…Pearl Harbor is in Hawai’i.  Beyond these mentions, I would wager that not much of the rich history of Hawai’i seeps into a majority of American classrooms.  However, Hawai'i is an American state, and its story is an American story: competing leaders, warring kingdoms, commoners preserving their way of life, and outsiders attempting to make sense of it all.  In this episode of History: Beyond the Textbook, our second episode in our arc on foreign relations on the frontier, we explore Kamehameha the Great and the Unification of the Hawai’ian Islands.   Key People Kamehameha Kiwala’o  Keoua Kahekili  Captain James Cook Key Events/Concepts Unification of Hawai'ian Islands We're back for Season Four of History: Beyond the Textbook!  This season will  focus on the stories of individuals who shaped "America's Federalist Era" in the years roughly 1789-1800.  The first six episodes will release every Tuesday from October 28-December 2, while the second six episodes will be released every Tuesday from February 17-March 24.   Catch up on Season One, "America's Colonial Era," Season Two, "America's Revolution," and Season Three, "America's Crucial Years," wherever you listen to your podcasts! Feel free to contact us with feedback or questions by clicking the "Send Us a Text" link or email us at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com

    31 min
See All (48)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

History: Beyond the Textbook examines American history through the experiences of those who lived it!  Each 12-episode season, high school history teacher Alex Mattke covers a separate era of American history and features perspectives on well-known events and lesser-known experiences of famous historical figures.  Season Three, covering "America's Crucial Years," returns on October 8 with new episodes every Tuesday up until the finale on December 24!  Catch up on Seasons One (America's Colonial Era) and Two (America's Revolution) wherever you listen to podcasts.Feel free to contact us with feedback and other questions at: hbttpodcast@gmail.com. 

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Mattke
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 History: Beyond the Textbook
  • Show Website
    History: Beyond the Textbook