Once former slaves or descendants of slaves, black washerwomen experienced little pay for their work throughout their lives, but even with their meager earnings, many black single moms were able to support their families through this industry.
The industrial north gained more power than the federal government and corporations began to rule after Rutherford B. Hayes took over in 1877, specializing in steel, coal, and oil. The rise of these corporations led to the production of heavy machinery while horses became 10-feet wide.
The federal government gained power due to the need for states to have parity with each other and to settle disputes between states, as seen in the example of the transcontinental railroad during Pierce's presidency.
Historian Annette Gordon-Reed discusses the presidency of Andrew Johnson and how his views on reconstruction clashed with the radical Republicans. Johnson didn't realize that the newly freed black citizens needed a leg up to integrate into society, resulting in Southern states writing their new all white laws.
Atlanta has experienced a return to taste and craftsmanship, with a focus on preserving its history and character after a period of tearing down old buildings in the name of progress.
The podcast explores the relationship between moral and economic authority over time, with examples of how Republicans turned their moral authority into economic authority in the late 1800s and how loss of moral authority can lead to loss of economic authority in modern times.