SPEAKEASY IDEAS PRESENTS

Tragedy & Triumph features ten evening gatherings—what we are calling ten “chapters”—over the course of ten months, one chapter per month.

For each monthly chapter, we are recommending core readings that will be discussed by Dr. Krannawitter, some in considerable depth. No one will be quizzed or tested, but familiarizing yourself with core readings prior to each meeting will enrich your own understanding.

We are also suggesting additional readings that provide important information, context, and analyses for the topics discussed each month, though these readings will only be discussed if time permits. Additional readings are for those who want to dig deeper and get as much intellectual content from Tragedy & Triumph as possible.

The core readings and additional readings for each monthly chapter are listed below. We hope you enjoy the unique Tragedy & Triumph experience provided by the team at Speakeasy Ideas.

JANUARY 27, 2020
Chapter 1
The Story of a Tragedy: A Global History of Slavery

CORE READINGS

• Handout on “The Problem of Slavery in the American Founding” provided by Speakeasy Ideas (2020).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Abraham Lincoln, Lyceum Address (1838).
• Harry Jaffa, Crisis of the House Divided: An Interpretation of the Issues in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, chapters 9 and 10 (1959).

FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Chapter 2
The Story of Three Laws: The Rise of Politicized Moral Relativism 

CORE READINGS

• James Tallmadge Jr., Speech in the United House of Representatives on the subject of statehood for Missouri, as recorded in The Congressional Globe (1819). For the text of Representative Tallmadge’s speech in digital form, click here.
• Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Holmes (1820).
• Abraham Lincoln, Speech in Peoria on the subject of the KS-NB Act (1854).
• Abraham Lincoln, fragment on slavery (c. 1854)

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Irving Bartlett, John C. Calhoun: A Biography, Chapter 7 titled “Architect of Nullification” (1994). Here’s a link to purchase the book.
• John C. Calhoun, “Exposition and Protest” (1828). [Note: After clicking the link, scroll down to the Table of Contents where you will find the “Exposition & Protest” in digital form.]
• South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification (1832).
• Andrew Jackson’s Proclamation regarding South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification (1832).
• Force Bill of 1833.

MARCH 23, 2020
(NEW DATE FOR ONLINE EVENT: APRIL 3, 2020)
Chapter 3
The Story of Dred Scott: Person or Property?

CORE READINGS

• Excerpts from Chief Justice Roger Taney’s majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857).
• Courtroom defense speech in the case of Jacob Gruber (1819).
• 1856 Presidential Election Results.
• Abraham Lincoln, Speech on the Dred Scott case (1857).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• David M. Potter, The Impending Crisis: 1848-1861, chapter 9 on “Bleeding Kansas” (1976).

APRIL 27, 2020
Chapter 4
The Story of 1858: Challenging the Little Giant

CORE READINGS

• Abraham Lincoln, House Divided Speech (1858).
• Stephen A. Douglas, Speech in Chicago (1858).
• Abraham Lincoln, Speech in Chicago (1858).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Harry Jaffa, Crisis of the House Divided: An Interpretation of the Issues in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, chapter 2 (1959).

MAY 18, 2020
Chapter 5
The Story of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Socrates vs. Thrasymachus

CORE READINGS

• First Joint Debate at Ottawa, entirety (1858).
• Second Joint Debate at Freeport, Lincoln’s opening speech (1858).
• Fourth Joint Debate at Charleston, Lincoln’s opening speech (1858).
• Seventh Joint Debate at Alton, entirety (1858).
• For those who want the same collection of the debates that Dr. Krannawitter uses in his presentations, here’s a link to the book edited by Robert Johannsen, The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Watch movie: John Brown’s Holy War (2000). [NOTE: We are exploring ways to make this movie available for our Triumph & Tragedy audience.]

JUNE 29, 2020
Chapter 6
The Story of Unintended Consequences: Abolitionism & the Emergence of Pro-Slavery Theology

CORE READINGS

• William Lloyd Garrison, “To the Public”(1831).
• Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave is the 4^th of July?” (1852).
• Short biography of Harriet Tubman.
• Short biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe.
• Abraham Lincoln, Temperance Address (1842).
• Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Chicago Christians of All Denominations (1862).
• Abraham Lincoln, Meditation on Divine Will (1862).
• Rev. Fred A. Ross, D.D., Slavery Ordained of God (1857). NOTE: Please see Rev. Ross’s speech in the General Assembly in New York starting on page 32.
• Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Rev. Ross (1858).
• James Henley Thornwell, “Southern Christian View of Slavery” (1861).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Mark Noll, America’s God, ch. 19

JULY 27, 2020
Chapter 7
The Story of John C. Calhoun: Slavery, States Rights, & the Settled Science of Racial Inequality

CORE READINGS

• John C. Calhoun, Speech on Reception of Abolition Petitions (1837).
• John C. Calhoun, Speech on the Oregon Bill (1848).
• John C. Calhoun, “Disquisition on Government” (1852).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Thomas L. Krannawitter, Vindicating Lincoln (ch. 5)

August 24, 2020
Chapter 8
The Story of the 1860 Presidential Election: Democrats Refuse to Accept the Results

CORE READINGS

• Abraham Lincoln, 1860 Address at Cooper Union (Basler, 517-538).
• Various Southern state declarations of secession.
• Abraham Lincoln, Fragment on Constitution & Union (Basler, 513).
• Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (Basler, 579-590).
• Summary of Lincoln’s Suspension of Habeas Corpus.
• Alexander Stephens, 1861 “Cornerstone Speech.”

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Charles B. Dew, Apostles of Disunion.

September 21, 2020
Chapter 9
The Story of Lincoln’s Presidency: Placing Slavery in the Course of Ultimate Extinction

CORE READINGS

• Abraham Lincoln, 1861 Speech to Congress in Special Session (Basler, 594-610).
• Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Horace Greeley (Basler, 651 – 652).
• Abraham Lincoln, Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
• Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation (Basler, 689 – 691).
• Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Conkling (Basler, 720 – 724).
• Abraham Lincoln, 1862 Annual Message to Congress (last three paragraphs) (Basler, 666).

ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Allen Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

October 26, 2020
Chapter 10
The Story of Abolishing Slavery in the United States: From Military Necessity to Constitutional Amendment

CORE READINGS

• Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (Basler, 734 – 735).
• Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address (Basler, 792 – 794).
• 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.