Episode #231- Why President McKinley? (Part II)

The 1896 election of William McKinley has been noted as an inflection point in American politics. But, historians are often conflicted about what story they want to tell. It could be seen as moment when Americans rejected a populist firebrand, critical of the wealthy and appealing to working class consciousness. It could also be seen as the moment when American industrialists, bankers, and other monied interests took an activist role in American politics. Was William McKinley simply a puppet of "big money" or is there more to this story? Tune-in and find out how king-makers, front porch campaigns, and crucifixion on a cross of gold all play a role in the story.Visit Rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, has recently been in the news. In the 2025 inaugural address it was announced that Alaska's highest peak would once again be known as Mt. McKinley to honour the former President, who was apparently a "great businessman" who made America "very rich." Like many, Sebastian found this newfound interest in president McKinley rather curious. For most of the 20th century he was overshadowed by his successor Theodore Roosevelt, who once claimed that McKinley had the "backbone of a chocolate éclair." Why had this particular President been plucked from history and held up as worthy of emulation? It turns out a growing number of American conservatives, including Republican strategist Karl Rove, have been attempting to revive McKinley's reputation for years. What do they see in this turn-of-the-century politician? Tune-in and find out how threats to annex Canada, civil war stories, and boom-bust capitalism all play a role in the story. Our Fake History listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF! That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Visit Rosettastone.com/HISTORY to get started and claim your 50% off TODAY!New members can try Audible now free for 30 days and dive into a world of new thrills. Visit Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500 that’s Audible.com/OFH or text OFH to 500-500.Check out progressive.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions about his recent exploration of mermaid mythology. He gets into the difference between Selkies and Mermaids, and wades into the murky waters of Scottish oral tradition. There is also some discussion of the 2012 hoax documentary Mermaids: The Body Found. Tune in and find out how aquatic apes, near sighted sailors, and good looking seals all play a role in the story.F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean15% off with the code Fakehistory15 at theperfectjean.nyc/Fakehistory15 #theperfectjeanpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mermaids are part of countless mythological traditions found the world over. Almost ever culture has a belief in some form of human-fish hybrid. In the west the modern mermaid evolved as combination of the sirens in Homer's Odyssey and water spirits described by Pliny the Elder. In medieval times they became symbols of sin: temptresses leading lustful men astray. In 16th century, just as belief in other mythological creatures started to fade, mermaids were suddenly taken seriously as real exotic animals. As European ships started stared exploring more distant waters, tales of mermaid encounters became increasingly common. By the 1700's the scientific community was taking the question of mermaid reality quite seriously. What is it about mermaids that made them seem so real? Tune-in and find out how stolen scales, Starbucks's secretly perverse logo, and a fish-woman from Newfoundland all play role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this interview episode Sebastian speaks with podcaster, author, and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby Liv Albert. Liv has spent the last 8 years and 700 episodes of her podcast exploring the nuances of Greek and Roman mythology. Sebastian and Liv dive deep into the world of classical myth and talk about the myriad ways that the ancients understood their legendary tradition. In this free flowing conversation the podcasters get into their thoughts on mythical characters like Medea, Oedipus, Medusa, and Helen of Troy. Tune-in and find out how dragon chariots, ghost Helen's, and smack-talkin' playwrights all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode Sebastian responds to listener questions and comments about the Spartan series. He gets a chance to give some more details about the Helots and Spartan women. He also muses at length about the role of historical fiction. If you want to be part of the next bonus feel free to send an email to [email protected] your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FAKEHISTORY at the link below and get 60% off anannual plan: http://incogni.com/fakehistorySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The famous Battle of Thermopylae forms the centerpiece of the Spartan Mirage. Legend has it that a tiny force of 300 Spartans took on over two million Persians and managed to hold them off for a remarkable four days. The Spartan sacrifice has been credited with saving Greece and paving the way to the ultimate Greek victory over the invaders. While it's true that the Spartans made a stand at Thermopylae, so too did thousands of other Greeks whose contributions have been edited out of the story. Almost everything about this famous showdown has been exaggerated and distorted. Who were the real heroes of Thermopylae? Tune-in and find out how playing possum, 700 Thespians, and something called the Battle of Champions all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that the most famous Spartan poet may not have been from Sparta? He also may not have written many of the poems that bear his name. This is yet another example of the weird collection of misconceptions known as the "Spartan Mirage" that have shaped the popular understanding of the ancient Greek city. According to some ancient sources the Spartans were incorruptible, never took bribes, and equally divided their land among the elite Spartiates. Is any of that true? What about the Spartan's famed educational system? Should we believe tales of Spartan youths fighting through an oppressively brutal childhood warrior training? Tune-in and find out how Klingons, Conan the Barbarian, and a childish form of government all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The ancient Spartans are one of the most idealized cultures from classical Greece. They have been remembered as unbeatable super-soldiers whose entire society was geared towards war. Groups from across the modern political spectrum have looked to the Peloponnesian city-state as an inspiration and historical example. However, starting in the 1930's historians started to question much of the received wisdom about the Spartans. Some even argued that the popular understanding of the city was deeply influenced by a so-called "Spartan Mirage." Is everything we know about the Spartans little more than a collection of historical myths? Tune-in and find out how the French Revolution, invented traditions, and twins from eggs all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this throwback episode Sebastian takes you back to the start of Season 4 to explore the historical reputation of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian has been celebrated as one of Rome’s “five good emperors”, but is that reputation actually deserved? Hadrian’s reputation is complicated by the mysterious death of his teenage lover, Antinous. What should we believe about this strange chapter in the life of one of Rome’s most celebrated emperors? Tune-in and find out how radical beards, fantastical walls, and ancient man-love all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.