Litchfield Politics in the Early Republic with Steve McGrath

LITCHFIELD, Conn. - Jan. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- In this engaging lecture, Steve McGrath will discuss the political party system in Litchfield, Connecticut during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  He will examine how U.S. foreign policy impacted local politics in Litchfield, particularly the U.S. naval war with France, an embargo instituted by President Thomas Jefferson, and the War of 1812.

McGrath will discuss Litchfield’s early reputation as a Federalist community, the eventual growth of the Democratic - Republican Party within the township and the political influence of Connecticut attorney Oliver Wolcott, Jr.  He will also examine the political activity of South Carolinian and Yale University graduate John C. Calhoun in Connecticut as well as the concept of free speech.

Steve McGrath teaches history at Central Connecticut State University and supervises history student teachers for both Central Connecticut and the University of Connecticut.  His most recent article, “Free Speech, John C. Calhoun, and the War of 1812 in Oliver Wolcott’s Backyard” was published in the Spring 2013 issue of Connecticut History. McGrath is on the Board of Trustees of the Litchfield Historical Society, was past president of the Connecticut Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History, and is a long-time member of the Association for the Study of Connecticut History.

All Oliver Wolcott Library events are free and open to the public.  Space is limited.  Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or logging onto www.owlibrary.org and clicking on Programs/Adult Programs.