Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
Key Battles of American History

Key Battles of American History

Key Battles of American History

War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
profile image
profile image

2 Listeners

bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Seasons

Top 10 Key Battles of American History Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Key Battles of American History episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Key Battles of American History for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Key Battles of American History episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Key Battles of American History - FIW 9: More Conflict in the Caribbean and the Treaty of Paris
play

09/25/24 • 42 min

Following the French surrender of Canada, General Jeffrey Amherst began working on consolidating British control of North America. Meanwhile, British naval and ground forces captured Martinique. Spain joined the war, and Britain promptly attacked and captured the key city of Havana, Cuba. Finally, France and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, bringing peace and many territorial changes in North America. Join Jacob and James as they discuss the final stages of the French and Indian War.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - The Last of the Mohicans Part 1

The Last of the Mohicans Part 1

Key Battles of American History

play

08/14/24 • 45 min

In this episode Jacob and James discuss the epic 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, which provides a fictionalized account of the 1757 French siege of Fort William Henry.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - FIW 10: Epilogue to the French and Indian War

FIW 10: Epilogue to the French and Indian War

Key Battles of American History

play

10/02/24 • 62 min

In this final episode of the series, Jacob and James discuss the legacy of the French and Indian War and the post-war lives and careers of the main leaders on both sides.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - Bombing Hitler's Hometown with Mike Croissant

Bombing Hitler's Hometown with Mike Croissant

Key Battles of American History

play

05/22/24 • 47 min

On April 25, 1945, the U. S. 15th Air Force conducted the final major bombing run of an Axis-controlled city. The target was Linz, Austria. Linz was one of Nazi Germany's most vital assets. Not only was it a crucial transportation hub and communications center, it was also claimed by Hitler as his home town. Linz was also heavily defended, making the raid hell for the American air crews. In this special episode, James interviews Mike Croissant, author of Bombing Hitler's Hometown, the exciting story of the April 25 bombing raid on Linz.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

The Barbary States (Morocco, Tripoli, Algiers, Tunis) were the greatest thorn in the side of the young American republic after it won independence, preying on trade ships, enslaving American crews, and demanding levels of ransom that consumed much of the federal budget. But why did the Barbary states rely on piracy for economic survival and why couldn't they engage in typical commerce?

In the 16th century, the Barbary States transitioned from Mediterranean trade to piracy after Spain's conquests and Ottoman expansion disrupted their economy. Algiers and other North African ports became notorious bases for corsairs, launching raids on European shipping under the protection of the Ottoman Empire. By the early 17th century, piracy became central to their economy, with hundreds of corsair vessels operating from Algerine ports, capturing ships and enslaving crews. However, by the late 1800s, the Barbary States' power had waned due to European naval interventions, reducing their fleets and influence significantly.

But they were still a major threat, as the newborn United States was soon to find out. In this episode, James and Scott look at the origins of the Barbary States and understand their perspective in the Barbary Wars.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - The Last of the Mohicans Part 2

The Last of the Mohicans Part 2

Key Battles of American History

play

08/17/24 • 41 min

In this episode, Jacob and James conclude their discussion of the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, concluding the review (as always!) by rating the film on a scale of 0 to 5.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - The Pacific Episode 1

The Pacific Episode 1

Key Battles of American History

play

10/19/24 • 73 min

In this episode, Dave and James discuss and review Part 1 of the epic 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific, which follows the lives and wartime actions of three well-known Marines who served in the Pacific Theater: John Basilone, Robert Leckie, and Eugene Sledge. In Episode 1 of The Pacific, we are introduced to the three main characters and we witness the initial Marine landing on Guadalcanal, the Battle of Alligator Creek, and the Battle of Savo Island.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

The American Navy was birthed in the Barbary Wars. Sure, there was a token navy in the Revolutionary War, but battles were mostly won in that war by American privateers (or, if you were British, pirates). To understand where the U.S. Navy came from, we need to take a step back and look at the stake of naval warfare in the 18th century.

The early American Navy resembled the British Navy in its use of British ship designs, naval tactics, and organizational structures, largely inherited from the colonial period when the colonies relied on British maritime power. Many American naval officers had British training or were influenced by British traditions, such as ship discipline, officer ranks, and the use of frigates for protecting trade routes.

However, the U.S. Navy was different in its focus and scale. While the British Navy was a vast global force designed for empire-building and large-scale warfare, the early American Navy was smaller and more focused on defending American merchant ships, often relying on nimble frigates rather than large ships-of-the-line. Additionally, the U.S. Navy operated with a more democratic ethos, as naval officers in America were often more accountable to elected officials, reflecting the values of the new republic.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - The Pacific Episode 2

The Pacific Episode 2

Key Battles of American History

play

10/26/24 • 45 min

In this episode, Dave and James discuss the second episode of HBO’s The Pacific. This episode deals primarily with the Battle of Henderson Field, especially Sgt. John Basilone’s role in the battle. Basilone and the Seventh Marines land on Guadalcanal to bolster the defenses around Henderson Field. During the Japanese attack on the Marine perimeter, Basilone, attempting to relocate his machine gun to a better position, bare-handedly cradles the hot barrel and severely burns his arms. Despite this, he continues fighting and kills scores of Japanese troops. Later, Basilone is awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the battle.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Key Battles of American History - The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project

Key Battles of American History

play

07/03/24 • 39 min

In this episode, James and Sean McIver briefly tell the story of the Manhattan Project, the history-changing effort to develop an atomic bomb and end the Second World War.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does Key Battles of American History have?

Key Battles of American History currently has 297 episodes available.

What topics does Key Battles of American History cover?

The podcast is about History and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Key Battles of American History?

The episode title 'G10: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Key Battles of American History?

The average episode length on Key Battles of American History is 50 minutes.

How often are episodes of Key Battles of American History released?

Episodes of Key Battles of American History are typically released every 4 days.

When was the first episode of Key Battles of American History?

The first episode of Key Battles of American History was released on Feb 8, 2021.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments