America First Episodes

Marshall, Mike, and Blake explore the conception and evolution of the phrase 'America First' and its surrounding ideology through American history.

While at its core, the phrase seems to be innocent enough, emphasizing patriotism and community. However, if you look the context in which the phrase has reared its ugly head, you might find that it has never truly been what it has been portrayed as.

Travel through time with us back to late 19th century America as we learn the context in which the phrase was born, and follow its journey through World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, numerous election campaigns, and more.

Episode 106: America First - Part 6 (Conclusion)

106

Dec. 9, 2025

Episode 106: America First - Part 6 (Conclusion)

Marshall, Blake, and Mike wrap up the America First series by dissecting the America First principles of non-involvement in World War II, then discussing the effect on America of the shockingly rapid 1940 fall of France, American support to Britain through Lend-Lease, Charles Lindbergh’s ascent to the leadership of the America First movement, the postwar lack of a reckoning for America Firsters, and the staying power of “America First” views. We conclude by sharing some final thoughts on how “Am...

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105

Nov. 25, 2025

Episode 105: America First - Part 5

Marshall leads our discussion of the disorganized and dispersed nature of mid-1930s America First opposition to FDR, the 1936 presidential election, Republican opposition to New Deal reforms and help to Americans during the Great Depression, Nazi Germany's penetration of German-American cultural groups and influence over some American politicians, and Roosevelt’s moves to prepare America for war. We conclude with the appearance of the final pre-war incarnation of America First as an isolationist...

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104

Nov. 12, 2025

Episode 104: America First - Part 4

Marshall, Blake, and Mike discuss the America First movement in the 1930s, including its relation to racial policies and lynchings. Marshall describes how World War I cast its long shadow over 1930s America and how new America First leaders and organizations arose to lead their followers in opposition to the New Deal. We also resume our narrative of the career of Charles Lindbergh, whose celebrity gave him a reputation for expertise in a wide variety of subjects and laid the foundation for his p...

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103

Oct. 28, 2025

Episode 103: America First - Part 3

After a failed attempt at a Swedish accent, Marshall leads our discussion of the America First movement as it related to the 1928 election, the onset of the Great Depression, the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, the Dust Bowl, FDR and the New Deal, the end of Prohibition, and the 1930's decline of the Ku Klux Klan. For a more immersive experience while you listen, visit our image gallery for this series at https://www.usofamnesia.com/blog/photo-gallery-for-america-first/. Check out our website to learn m...

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102

Oct. 14, 2025

Episode 102: America First - Part 2

Marshall, Blake, and Mike discuss how "America First" supporters influenced – and were influenced by – the Russian Revolution, the 1920 Wall Street bombing, anarchists and the Palmer Raids, the aftermath of World War I, The Great Gatsby, the elections of 1920 and 1924, Prohibition, the growth of cities, restrictions on immigration, and the Ku Klux Klan’s rise to national prominence in the 1920s. Charles Lindbergh enters the story – as does Fred Trump! For a more immersive experience while you l...

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101

Sept. 30, 2025

Episode 101: America First - Part 1

In our premiere episode, Marshall, Blake, and Mike begin a series on the America First movement. Marshall takes us through the movement’s development from the earliest use of the term “America First” in the 1880s, when it advocated the protection of economic and business interests, to a growing emphasis on deeper issues of American identity, notions of American cultural and ethnic purity and a yearning for a return to an earlier, more rural time in the face of increasing immigration, the rise of...

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