Henry Clay: The Waldo of American History

Pick almost any major moment in American politics between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, and look closely. Henry Clay is somewhere in the picture. In this episode, we go looking for the "Waldo" of American history: the Kentucky politician who became Speaker of the House on his first day, helped start a war and negotiate its end, brokered compromises over Missouri, nullification, and the lands won from Mexico, and lost three presidential races. We also look at the contradictions of a man who called slavery an evil while enslaving people his entire life.

🎙️ History Shorts is a daily history podcast hosted by historian and author of Eight Days in August, Peter Zablocki. New episodes every day.

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