[Unlocked] May 4, 2021 – The Smith Act – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 371

Unlocked from our Patreon (on pause this summer): Bill and Rachel take a look at the Alien Registration (Smith) Act of 1940, still on the books today, which prohibits advocating the violent overthrow of the US government.

Links and notes for ep. 371 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Bonus-AFD-Ep-371-Links-and-Notes-The-Alien-Registration-Act-_-Smith-Act-of-1940.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Apr 23, 2023 – The Council on Books in Wartime – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 467

The non-profit Council on Books in Wartime (from US publishers) during World War II single-handedly made a bunch of books like The Great Gatsby into major American texts by providing specialized paperback copies free to the troops. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 467 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AFD-Ep-467-Links-and-Notes-Council-on-Books-in-Wartime.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

(Photo via Library of Congress)

Feb 6, 1922: The Washington Naval Treaty – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 411

100 years ago today, the US, Britain, Japan, France, and Italy signed the Washington Naval Treaty. Intended to de-escalate a battleship arms race, it ended up marking the dawn of the aircraft carrier age, which makes it very relevant even now. Bill and Rachel.

Links and notes for ep. 411 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AFD-Ep-411-Links-and-Notes-Washington-Naval-Treaty-of-1922.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Jan 23, 2022 – Agnes Smedley – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 409

Rachel and Bill discuss Agnes Smedley, an American journalist and activist who helped the Indian independence movement, Soviet intelligence, and the Chinese Communist forces.

Links and notes for Ep. 409 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AFD-Ep-409-Links-and-Notes-Agnes-Smedley.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Jan 16, 2022 – The Bracero Guest Worker Program – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 408

This week Rachel and Bill look at some of the cultural and economic effects of the controversial “wartime” Mexican Bracero guest farm worker program that ended up lasting from 1942-1964.

Links and notes for Ep. 408 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AFD-Ep-408-Links-and-Notes-The-Bracero-Guest-Worker-Program.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Preview] May 4, 2021 – The Smith Act – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 371

Full episode on Patreon: Bill and Rachel take a look at the Alien Registration (Smith) Act of 1940, still on the books today, which prohibits advocating the violent overthrow of the US government.

Lend Lease 9 – The Party in the USA – Aug 4, 2019

Description: US-Soviet Relations and Communist Party USA activities under FDR and Henry Wallace. Discussion by Bill, Nate, and Greg.

Links and notes for episode 9 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lend-Lease-Episode-9-Links-and-Notes-US-Soviet-Relations-Under-FDR.pdf

Music by friend of the show Stunt Bird.