The Boston Associates, Part III: The Doomed Whigs – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 457

How some of the most powerful, wealthy political players in antebellum Massachusetts went from controlling state politics completely to hopelessly funding the Constitutional Union Party in 1860. [Continued from parts I and II]

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Links and notes for ep. 457 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-457-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates-Part-III_-The-Doomed-Whigs.pdf

The Boston Associates, Part II: The Invention of American Philanthropy – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 456

As an early group of 19th century Boston investors became even richer with less effort, via textile production, and as society became more alienated, they turned from charity to philanthropy to protect their power (and to have something to do). [Continued from part I.]

Links and notes for ep. 456 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-456-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates-Part-II_-The-Creation-of-American-Philanthropy.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The Boston Associates, Part I: Rise of the Machines – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 455

In the 1810s, a close-knit group of rich investors based in Boston decided to adopt and adapt emerging industrial capitalism, via the textile industry, in a way that would preserve and grow their existing wealth and power. The Waltham-Lowell System was born.

Links and notes for ep. 455 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-455-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.