Conventional Wisdom: A History of American Political Conventions [rebroadcast]

The 2016 presidential race switches into high gear this month with
the back-to-back Republican and Democratic party conventions.
 Before they became heavily scripted affairs for TV,
conventions were where some of the most critical policy questions
were resolved, and where political careers were made or ruined. On
this episode, we venture into the back rooms, chaotic halls, and
streets where these political clashes unfolded. The History Guys
bring us the voices of anti-corruption crusaders in the 1820s,
women’s rights activists at Seneca Falls, and civil rights workers
in 1964 - all of whom turned to conventions to push for change.
Through it all, we’ll ask how well American political conventions
have lived up to their promise of representing constituents back
home.

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