The USS Philadelphia, launched in 1799, played a crucial role in early American naval history but was captured by Tripolitan forces in 1803 after running aground near Tripoli during the Barbary Wars. Captain William Bainbridge attempted to prevent its capture by lightening the ship and destroying key materials but was ultimately forced to surrender, leading to his crew’s captivity and increased ransom demands. Commodore Preble responded by planning to destroy the Philadelphia to prevent it from strengthening Tripoli's forces, selecting Lieutenant Stephen Decatur for a daring raid to set the frigate ablaze. Decatur and his crew succeeded in a swift, covert operation that won admiration back in the U.S. and internationally, shifting the balance of the war in America’s favor.

The USS Philadelphia, launched in 1799, played a crucial role in early American naval history but was captured by Tripolitan forces in 1803 after running aground near Tripoli during the Barbary Wars. Captain William Bainbridge attempted to prevent its capture by lightening the ship and destroying key materials but was ultimately forced to surrender, leading to his crew’s captivity and increased ransom demands. Commodore Preble responded by planning to destroy the Philadelphia to prevent it from strengthening Tripoli's forces, selecting Lieutenant Stephen Decatur for a daring raid to set the frigate ablaze. Decatur and his crew succeeded in a swift, covert operation that won admiration back in the U.S. and internationally, shifting the balance of the war in America’s favor.

For history lovers who listen to podcasts, History Unplugged is the most comprehensive show of its kind. It's the only show that dedicates episodes to both interviewing experts and answering questions from its audience. First, it features a call-in show where you can ask our resident historian (Scott Rank, PhD) absolutely anything (What was it like to be a Turkish sultan with four wives and twelve concubines? If you were sent back in time, how would you kill Hitler?). Second, it features long-form interviews with best-selling authors who have written about everything. Topics include gruff World War II generals who flew with airmen on bombing raids, a war horse who gained the rank of sergeant, and presidents who gave their best speeches while drunk.

A show about American history, world history, World Wars 1 & 2, the Civil War, and much more.

History Unplugged Podcast

For history lovers who listen to podcasts, History Unplugged is the most comprehensive show of its kind. It's the only show that dedicates episodes to both interviewing experts and answering questions from its audience. First, it features a call-in show where you can ask our resident historian (Scott Rank, PhD) absolutely anything (What was it like to be a Turkish sultan with four wives and twelve concubines? If you were sent back in time, how would you kill Hitler?). Second, it features long-form interviews with best-selling authors who have written about everything. Topics include gruff World War II generals who flew with airmen on bombing raids, a war horse who gained the rank of sergeant, and presidents who gave their best speeches while drunk.

History Unplugged

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 5: The Destruction of the USS Philadelphia

Over a 100,000 Jewish Americans lived in the Old South before the Civil War. They were active members of society, involved in farming, business, and politics (one Secretary of State of the Confederacy was Jewish).

One of which was Emma Mordecai. She was Jewish when Jews comprised less than 1 percent of the population of the Old South. She also lived well within the social parameters established for Southern white women, espoused Southern values, and owned enslaved African Americans.

In today’s episode, we discuss her Civil War experiences, and those of Jewish Southerners at large. We are joined by Melissa Klapper, who with Diane Ashton, edited and published The Civil War Diary of Emma Mordecai.

Over a 100,000 Jewish Americans lived in the Old South before the Civil War. They were active members of society, involved in farming, business, and politics (one Secretary of State of the Confederacy was Jewish).
One of which was Emma Mordecai. She was Jewish when Jews comprised less than 1 percent of the population of the Old South. She also lived well within the social parameters established for Southern white women, espoused Southern values, and owned enslaved African Americans. In today’s episode, we discuss her Civil War experiences, and those of Jewish Southerners at large. We are joined by Melissa Klapper, who with Diane Ashton, edited and published The Civil War Diary of Emma Mordecai.

The Jewish Confederates

The First Barbary War began in response to decades of harassment of American traders by North African pirates. Before becoming president, Thomas Jefferson faced renewed Barbary pirate attacks, with the Pasha of Tripoli threatening war unless more tribute was paid. Despite being known for his frugality and opposition to a naval buildup, Jefferson deployed a naval squadron, believing military force was cheaper and more effective than paying tribute. 

In 1801, after the U.S. failed to meet the Pasha’s demands, Tripoli declared war, leading to naval skirmishes, including a decisive early victory by the USS Enterprise. Jefferson's efforts to blockade Tripoli faced setbacks, including the capture of the American frigate Philadelphia and its crew. This loss raised the stakes, with the Pasha demanding an even larger ransom, complicating efforts to resolve the conflict.

The First Barbary War began in response to decades of harassment of American traders by North African pirates. Before becoming president, Thomas Jefferson faced renewed Barbary pirate attacks, with the Pasha of Tripoli threatening war unless more tribute was paid. Despite being known for his frugality and opposition to a naval buildup, Jefferson deployed a naval squadron, believing military force was cheaper and more effective than paying tribute. 
In 1801, after the U.S. failed to meet the Pasha’s demands, Tripoli declared war, leading to naval skirmishes, including a decisive early victory by the USS Enterprise. Jefferson's efforts to blockade Tripoli faced setbacks, including the capture of the American frigate Philadelphia and its crew. This loss raised the stakes, with the Pasha demanding an even larger ransom, complicating efforts to resolve the conflict.

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 4: The First Barbary War (1801-05)

It’s been fifty years since the end of the Vietnam War, yet the memory of the war lives on, the nationwide protests of the 1970s mirroring ones happening on college campuses today. In today’s episode we take a panoptic overview of the political debates in Washington, the ground and air operations in Southeast Asia, and the shocking erosion of American defense capabilities. We also dive into the five-decade-old question of whether the Vietnam War could have been won (proponents say victory could come by such strategy as Americans invading Laos and Cambodia and cutting off the Ho Chi Minh Trail; opponents say such policies as “search and destroy” led to recruitment of more Viet Cong soldiers rather than reduce their numbers).

We’re joined by Geoffrey Wawro, author of “The Vietnam War: A Military History.” We discuss whether the American war in Vietnam was a war of choice, pursued for all the wrong reasons. Shedding light on the inner workings of three presidential administrations and their field commanders, we look at political power, its limits, and the devastation that arises when power is compounded by willful delusion and carelessness in the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon.

It’s been fifty years since the end of the Vietnam War, yet the memory of the war lives on, the nationwide protests of the 1970s mirroring ones happening on college campuses today. In today’s episode we take a panoptic overview of the political debates in Washington, the ground and air operations in Southeast Asia, and the shocking erosion of American defense capabilities. We also dive into the five-decade-old question of whether the Vietnam War could have been won (proponents say victory could come by such strategy as Americans invading Laos and Cambodia and cutting off the Ho Chi Minh Trail; opponents say such policies as “search and destroy” led to recruitment of more Viet Cong soldiers rather than reduce their numbers).
We’re joined by Geoffrey Wawro, author of “The Vietnam War: A Military History.” We discuss whether the American war in Vietnam was a war of choice, pursued for all the wrong reasons. Shedding light on the inner workings of three presidential administrations and their field commanders, we look at political power, its limits, and the devastation that arises when power is compounded by willful delusion and carelessness in the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon.

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 5: The Destruction of the USS Philadelphia

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