Happy President’s Day America. If you’re not in America, I still hope you have a happy day. On this commemorative day in the U.S., I am revealing a new project from the side of my brain/life that most people don’t often see around these here internet parts–my history professor side.
Introducing the USA History Vlog by me, the USA History Guy.
The USA History Vlog is a new channel on YouTube. My goal as U.S. History Guy is to help people find video answers to questions about topics big and small, famed and obscure, from American history.
I’ve been working away at this here and there and have a few videos already prepared so you can see the type of topics I might go after and how I might answer them. The main categories are organized into the following playlists:
- The American Presidency–about all things presidential.
- U.S. History 1–American history before the end of the Civil War.
- U.S. History 2–Any events since the Civil War.
- General Schtuff–More random topics like 4 Reasons You Should HATE History.
I’ve already heard from a lot of people about events they’d like to understand better. I plan to answer questions as quickly as I can and have selected a few topics early to try to establish a style and figure out how to keep these videos between 2-5 minutes (for the most part).
Since it’s President’s Day, here’s a sample:
Who is this vlog for?
- Students who need help understanding U.S. history.
- Teachers looking to brush up on topics or add some new flavor to their talks.
- History buffs.
- Anybody who wants to figure out something about American history.
I’ve been teaching for a while now and noticed a need for good, clear, and short videos on specific topics in U.S. history. Hopefully this vlog will help people out.
For now I’m hoping you can help me out. Here’s how:
- Give me honest feedback about the idea and/or execution. I’m still honing my style. Of course graphics and images and overall production value would be awesome but I have to be realistic about my time and YouTube’s confusing copyright interpretations.
- Tell me what topics you would like to understand better.
- Spread the word, especially if you know someone (like a history student) who could benefit from a resource like this. I would like to be able to actually take custom questions and answer them via video.
- Subscribe and get new videos as soon as they’re released!
So tell me, what topics in U.S. history have you always wanted to know more about?
19 replies on “The Most Asked Questions About U.S. History”
I was just thinking to myself…”Clay needs more projects” haha you are a content machine
If nothing else I think we can agree I’m a sadist. Hopefully this history content is at least near the surface of my brain.
Bwahaha. Laughing at Tyler’s comment. And at you. A bit.
Something tells me you can relate.
😛
You’re a history professor??? Who knew??)
Well, kinda. I just play one on TV. Or the internet.
Hey I can dig these videos. Nice and quick, like 5 hr energy for the brain
Thanks Phil. I think I’ll be able to tighten them up more as I get used to this format.
This reminded me of how much I sadly no longer remember. Crikey. Thanks for the refresher course, Clay!
Glad you like Leigh. Hopefully there are others who want to remember but don’t have much time to ever do so.
Honest feedback, eh? I like it, it’s a good idea. Graphics are nice, but I don’t think necessary – I didn’t miss them. The music in the 2 made it hard to pay attention to what you were saying. But I’m hard of learning and I need to concentrate on complicated or detailed info I’m hearing (as opposed to reading). I kind of have to visualize what you’re saying as images, sometimes as written words, in order to really absorb it.
Impeachment was my favorite, CW Reconstruction 2nd favorite. I would like to hear anything about WWI or WWII. Almost off topic: I like history, but not black licorice or poodles. And who doesn’t like Oreos, even broken ones at the bottom of the basket? Completely off topic: you’re right, you do have a lot of black shirts.
Great feedback, thanks. I had the same sense about the music–it’s distracting. I couldn’t find the right sound anyway so just went with the best chance. No more. I did throw in a couple graphics where it was simple and helpful but they won’t be too common probably. Appreciate your thoughts.
The graphics were nice, but I know you don’t have tons of time – and things like that seem simple but take ten times longer than you thought it would. I just think your talk is enough without them. Simple talk, relatively simple edits, and get them posted.
I find history very interesting in small doses and delivered with humor, so you rock.
Why thank ye kindly.
Love it! Showed the vlogs to mom & she’s sharing your site with everyone she knows. I guess it’s a testament to my bunny trail mind, but I sure like how that beard showed up in random spots. …:-) It’s like that thing knew when my feeble mind was wandering and BAM! I was back with you. I say forget graphics for now & throw in some weird props now & then. When you cease to teach & have no interest in writing, you’ll have all the time to fool around with graphics. Thanks for the info!
I second the props.
Thanks. Now I have to figure out what other props I have though. Uhhh….