Andrew Wehrman
@profwehrman.bsky.social
History professor at CMU and author of "The Contagion of Liberty: The Politics of Smallpox in the American Revolution" Vaccination is patriotic.
New book project(!) tentatively titled: Afterlife and Liberty: New York City’s Doctors’ Riot of 1788
New book project(!) tentatively titled: Afterlife and Liberty: New York City’s Doctors’ Riot of 1788
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
OPINION: " There was a reason pro-slavery businessmen and thinkers were energized by the prospect of an American Egypt: Many Southern planters imagined themselves as guardians of a hierarchical and aristocratic system, one grounded in landownership, tradition and honor," Charles Vanthournout writes.
Opinion | How America Used Egypt to Justify Racism and Slavery
Charles Vanthournout writes about how ancient Egypt shaped slavery and liberation in the American South.
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
OPINION: " There was a reason pro-slavery businessmen and thinkers were energized by the prospect of an American Egypt: Many Southern planters imagined themselves as guardians of a hierarchical and aristocratic system, one grounded in landownership, tradition and honor," Charles Vanthournout writes.
Ken Burns’ documentary did mention Washington’s decision to inoculate the troops, but it missed a tremendous opportunity to talk about how inoculation, and public health generally, was being discussed as both a duty of government and a right of the people. It wasn’t just a smart tactical move.
George Washington’s surgeon general Dr. John Morgan wrote in his 1776 “Recommendation of Inoculation” that denying inoculation was a “violation of the natural rights of mankind” and every government has a duty to “provide for the safety of its members by rendering [it] as universal as possible.”
Access to vaccines is not a privilege — it is a human right.
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Ken Burns’ documentary did mention Washington’s decision to inoculate the troops, but it missed a tremendous opportunity to talk about how inoculation, and public health generally, was being discussed as both a duty of government and a right of the people. It wasn’t just a smart tactical move.
Ah, Burns does mention Washington’s inoculation of the Army, but the documentary made the odd claim that new recruits were carrying smallpox into the Army. That’s new true. New recruits were demanding to be inoculated because smallpox was already in the Army. #HATM
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Ah, Burns does mention Washington’s inoculation of the Army, but the documentary made the odd claim that new recruits were carrying smallpox into the Army. That’s new true. New recruits were demanding to be inoculated because smallpox was already in the Army. #HATM
Overall I thought episode two of The American Revolution was better than episode one, which tried to cover 20 years of events. He could have spent less time on Bunker Hill though.
November 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Overall I thought episode two of The American Revolution was better than episode one, which tried to cover 20 years of events. He could have spent less time on Bunker Hill though.
Ken Burns is definitely prepping us for Benedict Arnold’s traitor turn. He might have also mentioned that Arnold called for inoculating soldiers more than a year before Washington did and had his order rejected by General John Thomas (who died of smallpox).
November 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Ken Burns is definitely prepping us for Benedict Arnold’s traitor turn. He might have also mentioned that Arnold called for inoculating soldiers more than a year before Washington did and had his order rejected by General John Thomas (who died of smallpox).
Glad to see smallpox (finally) play a major part in the last half hour or so of episode two. I would have liked to have seen more on the soldiers’ demand for inoculation, but it was good that they mentioned Washington was initially against inoculation—that’s often left out
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Glad to see smallpox (finally) play a major part in the last half hour or so of episode two. I would have liked to have seen more on the soldiers’ demand for inoculation, but it was good that they mentioned Washington was initially against inoculation—that’s often left out
Inoculation was uncommon in Virginia, but Virginia’s enslavers often did not inoculate their slaves even when they inoculated themselves and their white family members.
Okay the script made it sound like Dunmore refused to inoculate the Black residents of his floating city? Is that true?
Truly horrifying smallpox section regardless #hatm
Truly horrifying smallpox section regardless #hatm
Okay wait that smallpox map is wild #hatm
Tbh I always thought it was just "the regular smallpox hits different when you're in an army"
Tbh I always thought it was just "the regular smallpox hits different when you're in an army"
November 18, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Inoculation was uncommon in Virginia, but Virginia’s enslavers often did not inoculate their slaves even when they inoculated themselves and their white family members.
Agreed. When I teach the Revolution we don’t get to Lexington for 5 or six weeks. The Declaration is about the midpoint for me, but it’s in episode 2 of 6 for Burns. I think 1774 to Lexington, à la Mary Beth Norton, could have had its own episode.
Quick review of Ken Burns' American Revolution...it was just too fast. Tried to do too much too quickly.
Hit some key points, with some different perspectives, but lacked depth and nuance.
#HATM
Hit some key points, with some different perspectives, but lacked depth and nuance.
#HATM
a close up of a man 's face with a bloody wound on his forehead .
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a bloody wound on his forehead .
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Agreed. When I teach the Revolution we don’t get to Lexington for 5 or six weeks. The Declaration is about the midpoint for me, but it’s in episode 2 of 6 for Burns. I think 1774 to Lexington, à la Mary Beth Norton, could have had its own episode.
We had a pretty good turnout for night one of Ken Burns’ American Revolution at CMU. I showed it in an auditorium with a second big screen so that students in the room could participate in a live chat while we watched. It worked well!
November 17, 2025 at 4:03 AM
We had a pretty good turnout for night one of Ken Burns’ American Revolution at CMU. I showed it in an auditorium with a second big screen so that students in the room could participate in a live chat while we watched. It worked well!
I’ll be hosting a watch party on my campus every night this week. I’m glad to hear this from Karin.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I have a small concern about the historians featured. The 6 essays in the companion book are by historians from U. C. London, Harvard, Harvard, Harvard, Virginia, Harvard
I haven’t seen it yet, but I have a small concern about the historians featured. The 6 essays in the companion book are by historians from U. C. London, Harvard, Harvard, Harvard, Virginia, Harvard
As a historian of the 18th c and an American, I've always known 2026 would be a critical moment. This doc is worth watching, and thinking through. Begins and ends w Indigenous contexts, conveys the horrors of a civil war wrought w racism + the ideals of liberty and equality we keep reaching for. 1/
_The American Revolution_ offers a look at how complex and violent — and also inspiring— the American founding was. Getting huge coverage, it may give folks time to digest that complexity as 2026 commences. Premieres tonight + PBS has preview clips of all episodes. www.pbs.org/show/the-ame...
November 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I’ll be hosting a watch party on my campus every night this week. I’m glad to hear this from Karin.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I have a small concern about the historians featured. The 6 essays in the companion book are by historians from U. C. London, Harvard, Harvard, Harvard, Virginia, Harvard
I haven’t seen it yet, but I have a small concern about the historians featured. The 6 essays in the companion book are by historians from U. C. London, Harvard, Harvard, Harvard, Virginia, Harvard
Starting tonight!
I’m hosting a watch party for all six nights of Ken Burns’ “American Revolution” at CMU. In all 12 hours how much smallpox will there be? My guess is not enough!
November 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Starting tonight!
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
Anyone John Winthrop scholars out there? I'm trying to track down if he mentioned or wrote anything about the 1625 plague in London. I've tried looking in the various published works and letters I've found online but no luck yet. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
November 16, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Anyone John Winthrop scholars out there? I'm trying to track down if he mentioned or wrote anything about the 1625 plague in London. I've tried looking in the various published works and letters I've found online but no luck yet. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
A person in Washington state is the first human known to have contracted the avian influenza subtype H5N5. They have been hospitalized since early November, and likely contracted it from their flock of backyard chickens.
No increased risk to the public as of now.
No increased risk to the public as of now.
H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident
For immediate release: November 14, 2025 (25-138) First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low Contact: DOH Communications
doh.wa.gov
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A person in Washington state is the first human known to have contracted the avian influenza subtype H5N5. They have been hospitalized since early November, and likely contracted it from their flock of backyard chickens.
No increased risk to the public as of now.
No increased risk to the public as of now.
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
George Washington’s surgeon general Dr. John Morgan wrote in his 1776 “Recommendation of Inoculation” that denying inoculation was a “violation of the natural rights of mankind” and every government has a duty to “provide for the safety of its members by rendering [it] as universal as possible.”
Access to vaccines is not a privilege — it is a human right.
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
Kids have a right to vaccinations. Let's bring in the lawyers
Children suffering from diseases that should have been consigned to history is a moral failure. Access to vaccines is a human right.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
George Washington’s surgeon general Dr. John Morgan wrote in his 1776 “Recommendation of Inoculation” that denying inoculation was a “violation of the natural rights of mankind” and every government has a duty to “provide for the safety of its members by rendering [it] as universal as possible.”
I’m hosting a watch party for all six nights of Ken Burns’ “American Revolution” at CMU. In all 12 hours how much smallpox will there be? My guess is not enough!
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I’m hosting a watch party for all six nights of Ken Burns’ “American Revolution” at CMU. In all 12 hours how much smallpox will there be? My guess is not enough!
The place where I learned to love early American history is hiring! I’m sure they’ll have their pick of too many amazing candidates.
Applications due November 14! 🗃️
There's a job opportunity in my department at the University of Arkansas - Asst. Professor of Early American History jobs.h-net.org/jobs/69108
UA still experiencing enrollment growth each year. Our chancellor & vice provost are history dept. faculty members. And Fayetteville is a great place to live
UA still experiencing enrollment growth each year. Our chancellor & vice provost are history dept. faculty members. And Fayetteville is a great place to live
November 12, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The place where I learned to love early American history is hiring! I’m sure they’ll have their pick of too many amazing candidates.
Our first Razorback game in over a decade! Go hogs!
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Our first Razorback game in over a decade! Go hogs!
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
Would anyone with access institutional access to Early American Imprints Series II (180-1819) be willing to send me a pdf copy of "An Account of Rose Butler: Aged Nineteen...whose execution I attended..." by Dorothy Ripley (New York, 1819)? It's for a student research assignment. Please and thanks!
November 7, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Would anyone with access institutional access to Early American Imprints Series II (180-1819) be willing to send me a pdf copy of "An Account of Rose Butler: Aged Nineteen...whose execution I attended..." by Dorothy Ripley (New York, 1819)? It's for a student research assignment. Please and thanks!
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
The #1 lesson from yesterday’s blowout:
Humanities majors killed on the job market
1) Mamdani- Africana Studies
2) Spanberger -French
3) Sherill - Global History
Humanities majors killed on the job market
1) Mamdani- Africana Studies
2) Spanberger -French
3) Sherill - Global History
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The #1 lesson from yesterday’s blowout:
Humanities majors killed on the job market
1) Mamdani- Africana Studies
2) Spanberger -French
3) Sherill - Global History
Humanities majors killed on the job market
1) Mamdani- Africana Studies
2) Spanberger -French
3) Sherill - Global History
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
I truly believe that we cannot dig ourselves out of this anti-vax hole without getting to the root of how and why it started, how and why it spreads, and how and why it's so tempting to believe.
I’m trying to complete by far the hardest assignment @jackiantonovich.bsky.social has given for our vaccines class: watching the complete 1982 Vaccine Roulette documentary that falsely blamed various health problems on the pertussis vaccine. It’s historically important and so, so hard to watch.
a man in a suit and tie says oh man this is really bad in front of a map
Alt: a man in a suit and tie says oh man this is really bad in front of a map
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
I truly believe that we cannot dig ourselves out of this anti-vax hole without getting to the root of how and why it started, how and why it spreads, and how and why it's so tempting to believe.
And John Adams (among many others) couldn't believe anyone was opposed to inoculation in 1764! He wrote to Abigail, "I should think my self, a deliberate self Murderer... if I should only stay in this Town and run the Chance of having it [smallpox] in the natural Way [rather than by inoculation].
This a million times. Denial never really changes, just shifts to update its language with new discoveries and new terminology. We see the same with evolution and HIV denial. Plus, people were sick of antivaxxers even in the late 1800s.
November 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
And John Adams (among many others) couldn't believe anyone was opposed to inoculation in 1764! He wrote to Abigail, "I should think my self, a deliberate self Murderer... if I should only stay in this Town and run the Chance of having it [smallpox] in the natural Way [rather than by inoculation].
My 11 year-old declared that he's going AImish (eschewing AI in the way that the Amish avoid certain technolgies). He was frustrated that some kids don't know how to use a calculator, even, because they're over-reliant on AI. To course correct, he's been teaching himself to use a slide rule.
November 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
My 11 year-old declared that he's going AImish (eschewing AI in the way that the Amish avoid certain technolgies). He was frustrated that some kids don't know how to use a calculator, even, because they're over-reliant on AI. To course correct, he's been teaching himself to use a slide rule.
Reposted by Andrew Wehrman
This is a good start, but people should also be free to drive on whatever side of the highway feels appropriate to them.
FL is moving forward w/ plan to end all childhood vaccine mandates. Starting with hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia. Then next year GOP FL legislature is expected to revisit 1977 law re: whooping cough, measles, polio, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus.
October 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This is a good start, but people should also be free to drive on whatever side of the highway feels appropriate to them.