Steve Campbell
@stevecampbell.bsky.social
19th century U.S. historian, author of The Bank War and the Partisan Press (Univ Press of Kansas 2019). tinyurl.com/35v4jnf2
NorCal native. Contingent faculty. Independent thinker. Loves maps. Typically comments on climate change, economics, and politics.
NorCal native. Contingent faculty. Independent thinker. Loves maps. Typically comments on climate change, economics, and politics.
This seems very important. Americans should consider if they'd support a lawless action if it meant more money for them? My guess is all the people who whined about the price of gas, beef, and eggs a few years ago, thereby thinking Biden was a bad president, would answer "yes."
January 5, 2026 at 9:55 PM
This seems very important. Americans should consider if they'd support a lawless action if it meant more money for them? My guess is all the people who whined about the price of gas, beef, and eggs a few years ago, thereby thinking Biden was a bad president, would answer "yes."
My jaw dropped to the floor a couple of weeks ago when I heard Phil Flynn on NPR saying something like "the world needs energy" and Venezuela would be better off with zero mention of climate change. I was angry. I still think this was dishonest ala Judith Miller with Iraq.
January 5, 2026 at 9:51 PM
My jaw dropped to the floor a couple of weeks ago when I heard Phil Flynn on NPR saying something like "the world needs energy" and Venezuela would be better off with zero mention of climate change. I was angry. I still think this was dishonest ala Judith Miller with Iraq.
* 1898: in Cuba we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years.
* 1898: in the Philippines we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years. We committed atrocities.
* 2026 Venezuela?
* 1898: in the Philippines we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years. We committed atrocities.
* 2026 Venezuela?
January 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
* 1898: in Cuba we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years.
* 1898: in the Philippines we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years. We committed atrocities.
* 2026 Venezuela?
* 1898: in the Philippines we promised liberation and a short stay but remained for years. We committed atrocities.
* 2026 Venezuela?
This has always been one of my favorite maps. Look at all the U.S. interventions in Latin America. Keep in mind this map covers only one region during a particular time, 1898-1939. It's from Pat Cohen's textbook, The American Promise. Pat was a very helpful mentor during my doctoral program.
January 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
This has always been one of my favorite maps. Look at all the U.S. interventions in Latin America. Keep in mind this map covers only one region during a particular time, 1898-1939. It's from Pat Cohen's textbook, The American Promise. Pat was a very helpful mentor during my doctoral program.
1953 Iran: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2003 Iraq: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2025 Venezuela: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
I will never think this is okay.
2003 Iraq: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2025 Venezuela: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
I will never think this is okay.
January 3, 2026 at 5:25 PM
1953 Iran: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2003 Iraq: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2025 Venezuela: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
I will never think this is okay.
2003 Iraq: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
2025 Venezuela: we overthrew a govt b/c we wanted their oil
I will never think this is okay.
Mark Thiessen is propagating talking points from companies that are worsening climate change. Your so-called "choice" to buy huge, gas-guzzling vehicles means nothing when we have actual attribution studies saying how many people die each year due to climate change.
January 2, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Mark Thiessen is propagating talking points from companies that are worsening climate change. Your so-called "choice" to buy huge, gas-guzzling vehicles means nothing when we have actual attribution studies saying how many people die each year due to climate change.
From @jamellebouie.net, the Democrats should not be like McClellan in the Civil War. Necessary for anyone who has defended the filibuster or opposed Court expansion. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msz2...
The Democratic Party's McClellan Problem
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:29 AM
From @jamellebouie.net, the Democrats should not be like McClellan in the Civil War. Necessary for anyone who has defended the filibuster or opposed Court expansion. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msz2...
Spread this far and wide. An ethically and legally compromised editor at CBS killed this story by bowing down to bullies.
December 23, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Spread this far and wide. An ethically and legally compromised editor at CBS killed this story by bowing down to bullies.
I want to hear from historians and professional authors on this. What are the ethical implications for using ChatGPT in your research? Are you okay if you indicate you've used it in your acknowledgments or introduction? And if so, to what extent is it okay? Here's an example.
December 22, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I want to hear from historians and professional authors on this. What are the ethical implications for using ChatGPT in your research? Are you okay if you indicate you've used it in your acknowledgments or introduction? And if so, to what extent is it okay? Here's an example.
One of the most notable trends in the post-1945 economic history of the U.S. is the huge disparity in jobs created under Democratic versus Republican presidents. I've kept the receipts beyond just this image. The trend is so consistent and durable that it cannot, according to...
December 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
One of the most notable trends in the post-1945 economic history of the U.S. is the huge disparity in jobs created under Democratic versus Republican presidents. I've kept the receipts beyond just this image. The trend is so consistent and durable that it cannot, according to...
Ughh...you let Trump of all people be the one to reschedule marijuana? Awesome. That's yet another example of political malpractice from Democrats. Stoners are a natural left-y constituency in my view. This is a lost opportunity similar to letting MAHA join the MAGA coalition.
December 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Ughh...you let Trump of all people be the one to reschedule marijuana? Awesome. That's yet another example of political malpractice from Democrats. Stoners are a natural left-y constituency in my view. This is a lost opportunity similar to letting MAHA join the MAGA coalition.
I'm not sure that threads really work all that well on this site, so let me just post my thoughts on the economy with an image.
December 15, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I'm not sure that threads really work all that well on this site, so let me just post my thoughts on the economy with an image.
There's a big jobs report coming out on Tuesday that I am very curious to see. We've had a paucity official data due to the government shutdown and Trump's wishes.
December 14, 2025 at 10:29 PM
There's a big jobs report coming out on Tuesday that I am very curious to see. We've had a paucity official data due to the government shutdown and Trump's wishes.
It's been a tough semester. So to hear from more than one student that you're their favorite professor makes it all the more worth it.
December 10, 2025 at 4:42 AM
It's been a tough semester. So to hear from more than one student that you're their favorite professor makes it all the more worth it.
Of all the major utility grids in the country, only California's is running on solar as its main source. It's also the cheapest in dollars per megawatt hour.
December 8, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Of all the major utility grids in the country, only California's is running on solar as its main source. It's also the cheapest in dollars per megawatt hour.
This is one of the most important stories I'll never forget. Between 10-15 years ago I taught a class at a community college that is not my current employer. Someone above me recommended I visit a certain professor's class.
December 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
This is one of the most important stories I'll never forget. Between 10-15 years ago I taught a class at a community college that is not my current employer. Someone above me recommended I visit a certain professor's class.
I was pretty outraged by that incident at the University of Oklahoma failing to support an instructor and caving to the worst kind of political pressure. Do you have any thoughts about how I can support the instructor who was put on leave?
December 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I was pretty outraged by that incident at the University of Oklahoma failing to support an instructor and caving to the worst kind of political pressure. Do you have any thoughts about how I can support the instructor who was put on leave?
American automakers are the worst and have been for some time. I despise them. We have a pro-pollution and anti-science president. Norway, Sweden, the UK, and China are all surpassing the US on EVs. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Trump announces plans to weaken fuel efficiency rules for cars and trucks
Executives from Ford, GM and Stellantis joined the president as he announced plans to roll back rules pushing automakers to sell more electric cars.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
American automakers are the worst and have been for some time. I despise them. We have a pro-pollution and anti-science president. Norway, Sweden, the UK, and China are all surpassing the US on EVs. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
If you evaluate the Trump presidency, it's unmistakable this monster is repeatedly cruel and abusive toward women and POC. There was the disgraceful "Quiet, piggy" comment and now this. Historians, scholars, and textbooks need to emphasize this. www.youtube.com/shorts/qgNxR...
‘You're a stupid person’: Trump lashes out at female reporter who asked question about D.C. shooter
YouTube video by CTV News
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:06 AM
If you evaluate the Trump presidency, it's unmistakable this monster is repeatedly cruel and abusive toward women and POC. There was the disgraceful "Quiet, piggy" comment and now this. Historians, scholars, and textbooks need to emphasize this. www.youtube.com/shorts/qgNxR...
Do you want to know the coolest thing ever? The recurring theme of the 18-year-old kid who goes away to college, meets a professor who is totally rad, gets exposed to new ideas, and comes home at Thanksgiving, surprising their parents with totally bodacious concepts!
November 27, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Do you want to know the coolest thing ever? The recurring theme of the 18-year-old kid who goes away to college, meets a professor who is totally rad, gets exposed to new ideas, and comes home at Thanksgiving, surprising their parents with totally bodacious concepts!
This Supreme Court is out of control and has been for years. After the Bush v. Gore fiasco in 2000, the Court once again tipped the scales in favor of the Republican candidate in 2024 with at least two disastrous decisions.
November 22, 2025 at 1:35 AM
This Supreme Court is out of control and has been for years. After the Bush v. Gore fiasco in 2000, the Court once again tipped the scales in favor of the Republican candidate in 2024 with at least two disastrous decisions.
I mean, she's right. We're not that enlightened. A huge percentage of our population is downright backwards and stuck in the past; unable to move beyond its silly resentments. We shouldn't pretend otherwise.
November 15, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I mean, she's right. We're not that enlightened. A huge percentage of our population is downright backwards and stuck in the past; unable to move beyond its silly resentments. We shouldn't pretend otherwise.
To discourage AI use in writing, I implemented a deliberate scaffolding approach where smaller chunks of writing would build toward a larger end product in the form of an essay. I also included a video assignment where they'd talk about their essays.
November 13, 2025 at 11:37 PM
To discourage AI use in writing, I implemented a deliberate scaffolding approach where smaller chunks of writing would build toward a larger end product in the form of an essay. I also included a video assignment where they'd talk about their essays.
LOVE that Lina Khan is part of Zohran's transition team.
November 13, 2025 at 11:36 PM
LOVE that Lina Khan is part of Zohran's transition team.
It irks me that I seem to catch more and more typos nowadays in major outlets that should know better. Look, we all have typos, but your desire to be early should not outweigh basic copyediting to avoid embarrassment. How about one more round of proofreading before you post?
November 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
It irks me that I seem to catch more and more typos nowadays in major outlets that should know better. Look, we all have typos, but your desire to be early should not outweigh basic copyediting to avoid embarrassment. How about one more round of proofreading before you post?