Stay ConnectedYour history class was taught all wrong.
Explore all of the pivotal moments and influential individuals that your teachers overlooked through this breakthrough podcast led by renowned history professor Dr. Burt Folsom. Throughout each episode Dr. Folsom will delve into source material and history textbooks to share the stories you never learned about American History.
Copyright: © Young America's Foundation
An entire generation has been misinformed about communism and Russia. Communist countries have always been ruthless dictatorships, yet surveys show that about 1/3 to 1/2 of Millennials sympathize with socialism and sometimes even communism.
In this episode, Burt breaks down the callous and seemingly deliberate errors made by mainstream textbooks like The American Pageant and by Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States so that listeners will be able to defend the US and the ideas that make it a beacon of hope and prosperity around the globe.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
Popular textbooks used by many American history classes often make tragic errors and important omissions when discussing President FDR's record during World War II. For example, did you know Roosevelt was warned by the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor that the Japanese had the potential to attack? Or that Roosevelt was largely responsible for the internment of loyal Japanese-Americans? What about Roosevelt's attempts to appoint a member of the KKK to the Supreme Court? This episode dives into these critical instances in American history.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, FDR Goes to War: How Expanded Executive Power, Spiraling National Debt, and Restricted Civil Liberties Shaped Wartime America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
Do you think FDR was a great president, a good president, or a dreadful president? Most historians insist FDR was a great president, but the evidence suggests he was actually a dreadful president. In this episode, Dr. Folsom explains why.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
We often hear how FDR was one of the most successful presidents in American history and his presidential win in 1936 is often used as evidence to support this argument. No president prior to Roosevelt had ever won a partisan election by such large margins. But in this episode, Burt explains exactly why Roosevelt was able to secure his victory. Hint: it has nothing to do with the success of his New Deal policies.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
During the Great Depression, unemployment hit 25% under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt. In 1932, Congress passed the first federal welfare program in American history. For many historians, such federal spending was not only justified, but it was a wonderful use of tax-payer dollars. But there is much more to the federal welfare story.
In today’s episode, Dr. Folsom will reveal what historians don’t tell you about America’s first welfare system.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
The New Deal was designed by FDR to create programs to reduce the unemployment rate during the Great Depression. Although it was sold to Americans as a well-intentioned effort to curb the depression, the New Deal programs such as the AAA and the NRA only provided avenues for corruption and exacerbated the misery for all Americans. For every problem the programs sought out to solve, two or more problems popped up along the way.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
A lot of history books credit President Franklin D. Roosevelt for leading the US out of the Great Depression. But is this correct? In this episode, Burt shines the light on the New Deal policies, and what we actually find is a grab for power but not a gain for the American economy or the American people.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org.
The Great Depression is universally considered one of the darkest times in modern history, but what actually caused this global economic downslide? In this episode, Burt details the four main causes of the Great Depression, and helps listeners understand how the actions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt dramatically changed the role of government in the lives of Americans forever.
This episode is based off of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
The fur trade was a major industry in the early years of the United States and was a worldwide enterprise. America’s first President, George Washington, sought to use this as a tool to prevent the recently defeated British from building alliances with American Indians and restarting another war. President Washington also wanted to secure America’s foothold in global markets. Unfortunately, the subsidy he created to do this produced little more than complacency within those that took advantage of it, and nearly led to more government interference in the private affairs of American nationwide.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
All throughout history, governments have attempted to use subsidies to advance their interests, essentially picking winners and losers. The race to be the first in flight is no exception. The United States government decided to select Samuel Langley to create the first airplane as he appeared to be the most capable and well-credited person. Yet, as we know from history, Langley was upstaged by two bicycle mechanics, from a small town in Ohio, the Wright brothers. Discover how they were able to succeed where the government appointed “expert” failed.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
In this episode, Burt covers the heroic endeavors that contributed to the Underground Railroad and made it possible for thousands to reach freedom in the North. To be successful, black and white people had to work together effectively and courageously. Rarely is this point highlighted in many historical accounts. It is critical to understanding the story of freedom in America. Learn how Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett worked effectively together to bring thousands of Americans to freedom.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
The last eight episodes provided inspiring stories about some of America’s greatest entrepreneurs – stories you likely never heard in your history classes. As a matter of fact, you were likely taught something quite different – that these captains of industry were rather Robber Barons.
Dr. Burt Folsom wraps up the review of his book, The Myth of the Robber Barons by uncovering the background of this myth and outlines the perpetrator’s championing of communism and attacks on free markets during the 1930’s. Sadly, the sloppy and biased research found in Matthew Josephson’s book, Robber Barons, worked its way into the teaching of American history tarring the image of America’s most influential heroes.
This episode is based on Chapter 7 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
Andrew Mellon had a profound impact on the growth of the American economy during the 1920’s. His successful advocacy for lower taxes brought about many life-changing inventions that are taken for granted today. For this episode, Burt is joined by special guest, Anita Folsom.
This episode is based on Chapter 6 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
Two features of human nature are self-interest and competition. Both of which are seen as harmful qualities today. However, these seemingly negative character traits, when filtered through the free market, are powerful motivators that help raise humanity out of poverty. Through this episode, learn how great American entrepreneurs like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie practiced Christian values, enabling them to not only succeed themselves, but also improve the lives of average citizens around the world.
This episode is based on Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
John D. Rockefeller was America’s first billionaire, yet, he was attacked ruthlessly as a Robber Baron. What few realize, he gave away over half of his wealth and was partly responsible for the creation of the American middle class. In this episode, discover how Rockefeller was able to use his fortitude and faith to prevail while many others in his field failed, and improve the lives of millions in America and around the globe.
This episode is based on Chapter 5 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
In the previous episode, we discovered how the Scrantons and friends founded one of America’s largest cities in the middle of the wilderness in Northeast Pennsylvania, and were able to apply ambition, determination, and hard work to expand wealth and opportunities for all Americans living in that area. However, what are the keys to on-going success? Does being born into a family of wealth guarantee continued success or is there more to be said about entrepreneurial spirit and liberties provided by free enterprise?
This episode is based on Chapter 3 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
By 1840, America might have beaten back the British to secure its political independence, but the United States was still dependent on England for quality steel. During this time, no country could truly become an economic power without their own steel production. However, local entrepreneurs in Northeast Pennsylvania sought to change this. America had the resources, yet not one was effectively tapping them.
In this episode of Books with Burt , learn how the Scranton’s changed all this and helped to lead America to become theeconomic powerhouse that it is today.
This episode is based on Chapter 3 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
Here is another amazing story you won’t discover in most history books!
In the second part of our series on the transcontinental railroads, we learn an inspiring example of how an entrepreneur, working with his own hard earned money, can build a pivotal enterprise that improves the lives of Americans across the country and expands America’s influence abroad - all without a single dollar of government subsidies.
Discover how James J. Hill was able to build the Great Northern Railroad from Minnesota to Seattle and expanded American industry to the Eastern World without any help from the federal government.
This episode is based on Chapter 2 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
History books often point to the transcontinental railroads as success story on how government can facilitate public projects.
But is this really a success story worth touting? Although the United States previously tried subsidies with steamships, some in Washington felt they should try again. This time, two railroad companies would compete for the subsidies. What could go wrong?
This episode is based on Chapter 2 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
In our first episode, we learn about Cornelius Vanderbilt and his efforts to break through steamship monopolies organized by the New York state government. We learn how his entrepreneurial efforts helped improve the lives of the everyday American.
This episode is based on Chapter 1 of Dr. Burt Folsom’s book, The Myth of the Robber Barons. If you want to learn more about his topic and follow along with Burt, you can grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Robber-Barons-Business-America/dp/0963020315/youngamericsfoun.
Learn more about YAF at www.yaf.org
Dr. Burt Folsom introduces you to a new podcast, “Books with Burt” where he delves into source material and history books to share stories you never learned about American History. In this trailer, he shares a short story featuring President Grover Cleveland.
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