April 23, 1965

[Tango Two]

At an anti-Vietnam War "teach-in" held at Rutgers University on April 23, 1965, Professor Eugene Genovese declared himself a socialist and Marxist and that he welcomes a Viet Cong victory in Vietnam. Genovese stated, "Those of you who know me, know that I am a Marxist and a Socialist. Therefore, unlike most of my distinguished colleagues here this morning, I do not fear or regret the impending Viet Cong victory in Vietnam. I welcome it." This became a campaign issue with Governor Richard Hughes defending Genovese's First Amendment right of speech, but adding "without endorsing the opinion." His opponent, Wayne Dumont, stood on the position that supporting the enemy was not appropriate for a professor at a State University, which is funded by taxpayers. Hughes won the election. Genovese would leave Rutgers in 1967 to teach elsewhere.

 

[retired711]

At an anti-Vietnam War "teach-in" held at Rutgers University on April 23, 1965, Professor Eugene Genovese declared himself a socialist and Marxist and that he welcomes a Viet Cong victory in Vietnam. Genovese stated, "Those of you who know me, know that I am a Marxist and a Socialist. Therefore, unlike most of my distinguished colleagues here this morning, I do not fear or regret the impending Viet Cong victory in Vietnam. I welcome it." This became a campaign issue with Governor Richard Hughes defending Genovese's First Amendment right of speech, but adding "without endorsing the opinion." His opponent, Wayne Dumont, stood on the position that supporting the enemy was not appropriate for a professor at a State University, which is funded by taxpayers. Hughes won the election. Genovese would leave Rutgers in 1967 to teach elsewhere.

Hughes beat Dumont handily with 57% of the vote. Genovese left Rutgers after a couple of more years to teach in Canada. His book, Roll Jordan Roll about slavery was considered quite innovative and won the Bancroft Prize (given for an outstanding work in history). Interestingly enough, the book has been criticized by more left-wing historians. Genovese himself became more conservative as the years went on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Genovese

 

[RU Husky]

Hughes beat Dumont handily with 57% of the vote. Genovese left Rutgers after a couple of more years to teach in Canada. His book, Roll Jordan Roll about slavery was considered quite innovative and won the Bancroft Prize (given for an outstanding work in history). Interestingly enough, the book has been criticized by more left-wing historians. Genovese himself became more conservative as the years went on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Genovese

"More conservative"- that's quite an understatement.

I was at the teach-in that night. Genovese and Susman were quite the scene.

I knew Genovese well. I had him for 3 undergraduate classes and he gave me guidance on my doctoral dissertation at UW-Madison which was on the impact of slavery on the Election of 1836 in four southern states.

 

[retired711]

"More conservative"- that's quite an understatement.

I was at the teach-in that night. Genovese and Susman were quite the scene.

I knew Genovese well. I had him for 3 undergraduate classes and he gave me guidance on my doctoral dissertation at UW-Madison which was on the impact of slavery on the Election of 1836 in four southern states.

I'll have you know I spent a year at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens! [For those who don't know, Van Buren was the winner in the 1836 Presidential election that RU Husky is talking about.] Is there a good biography of him - as you know, he's a very interesting figure. (I have a 19th century biography, but I've never had the determination needed to read it.)

 

[RU Husky]

I'll have you know I spent a year at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens! [For those who don't know, Van Buren was the winner in the 1836 Presidential election that RU Husky is talking about.] Is there a good biography of him - as you know, he's a very interesting figure. (I have a 19th century biography, but I've never had the determination needed to read it.)

Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any really great bios of OK. The great Jacksonian historian Robert Remini wrote the old stand by and very serviceable biography of Van Buren which dates from the early 60’s. There have been some more recent attempts to tell his story but none stand out. Stick to Remini’s dated account.

 

[retired711]

Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any really great bios of OK. The great Jacksonian historian Robert Remini wrote the old stand by and very serviceable biography of Van Buren which dates from the early 60’s. There have been some more recent attempts to tell his story but none stand out. Stick to Remini’s dated account.

All I can see from Remini is "Martin Van Buren and the Making of the Democratic Party" from 1959. Here's a page from the Van Buren historical papers site: are any of these books useful? https://vanburenpapers.org/suggested-readings

 

[RU Husky]

The Remini book you cite is the one with which I am most familiar. A lot of new stuff has been written since I left academia. The works by Cole and Silbey have received a few positive reviews. Personally, I'd be most interested in reading Ellis' book on the Election of 1840. He taught at U. Buffalo and was a recognized scholar of Early America. I am also familiar with the works of Richard H. Brown and would recommend those oldies.