Lectures in American History 2023
All programs will begin exclusively online at 6:30 PM
Video links will be available soon!
Wednesday January 18: Martin Quirk
Title: Feeding the World: A brief History of American Agriculture in the Twentieth Century.
During the twentieth American agriculture embraced technology and efficient business practices to dominate world
food production. This presentation will discuss the reasons for the success of American agriculture as well as some of
the challenges.
Thursday January 26: Eric Welch
Title: The Supreme Court: Disastrous Decisions
Eric Welch will discuss several Supreme Court decisions that are considered to have had negative effects both on the
country, both culturally and politically, and the Supreme Court itself.
Tuesday January 31: Andy Dvorak
Title: “It Can’t Happen Here: American Fears of Fascism in the 1930s”
With the rise of fascism around the globe in the 1930s, many Americans feared that a fascist dictatorship could also
emerge in the United States, especially as the Great Depression lingered. The author Sinclair Lewis was concerned
enough to write a novel about such a scenario, “It Can’t Happen Here,” in 1935. These concerns continued until the
United States entered the Second World War in 1941. While the U.S. successfully avoided a fascist government in the
1930s, changes in society, politics, culture and technology may make a fascist takeover even more likely today.
Wednesday February 8: Bill Petersen
Title: The Blues
Bill Petersen will explore the roots of the word Blues, its meaning and the development of this important musical style
including a comparison of Blues and gospel music. Lastly, Bill will explore the importance of the Blues and its
significance in American music, culture and social history.
Tuesday February 21: Mike Banghart
Title: Candidate 9653: Eugene Debs and the 1920 Presidential Election
In 1920, Eugene Debs ran for President of the United States for the fourth and final time. He received nearly one
million votes which remains the most votes received by a candidate running as a Socialist. Debs accomplished this
political feat while serving a ten year prison sentence. Why was he in prison and how was he able to garner a
significant portion of the vote will be the topic of this lecture.
Monday February 27: Jim Winker
Title: The Life of Cassius M. Clay
The focus of this presentation will be on the adventure-filled life of Cassius M. Clay. Although little remembered today,
during the nineteenth century his adventures, political beliefs, and personal life captivated the nation’s attention until
the day he died.
For more information call 815.233.3000 ext. 221 or email information@freeportpubliclibrary.org.