Steadfast Pat's History Blog RSS

One of the most vexing aspects of America's democratic process is the electoral college. Even before the contentious election of 2020, presidential elections routinely raise questions about the practice's necessity and fairness. So, what is the electoral college, and why do we have it? Many Americans have only a vague idea of how the electoral college works and may or may not be at all aware that their vote in presidential elections does not directly elect the Executive. All other officials in the United States are chosen by direct vote. However, when Americans vote for their President, they are actually...

In the aftermath of the recent mob assault on the US Capitol, much was made of the fact that the failed insurrection was only the second time in more than two hundred years that the building has fallen victim to an attack. The first—an event not well-remembered by anyone other than students of American history—occurred during the War of 1812, less than fifty years after the nation’s founding.It was a strange conflict that often gets lost between the Revolution and the Civil War. The United States, with a tiny army and navy but with a large republic to defend, declared...