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 …Social links:
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GW18: The Battle of Cambrai
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the final events of 1917 in Europe. They begin with the Eastern Front’s collapse before the Bolshevik Revolution, then turn to the Western Front to discuss the bold British offensive at Cambrai—the first large-scale test of tanks as a weapon of war. Your lova…
34:10
Sergeant York (ENCORE)
James and Sean discuss the classic 1941 film Sergeant York, which tells the fascinating story of Alvin York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of the First World War.
58:46
GW17: America Enters the War
In this episode, Sean and James trace America’s complex journey from neutrality to full-fledged participation in World War I. They explore Woodrow Wilson’s background and early reluctance to enter the conflict, the diplomatic and military crises that shifted American public opinion, and the nation’…
50:02
Beneath Hill 60 (ENCORE)
James and Sean discuss the 2010 Australian film Beneath Hill 60, which tells the fascinating story of an Australian tunneling company trying to undermine the German position at the Ypres Salient in the Western Front.
1:26:20
GW16: The Third Ypres Campaign
In this episode, Sean and James examine the brutal 1917 campaign at Third Ypres, better known as Passchendaele, which was one of the most infamous battles of World War I. They trace the strategic aims behind Haig’s offensive, the early success at Messines, and the grinding advance that followed as …
31:16
GW15: The Russian Revolutions of 1917
This episode explores the twin revolutions that upended Russia in 1917 and reshaped the course of World War I. Sean and James trace the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, the rise and failures of the Provisional Government, and the growing power of the soviets amid military disaster and social unrest…
44:36
War Horse (ENCORE)
James and Sean discuss the 2011 film War Horse, in which a young Englishman struggles to be reunited with his beloved horse, who has been sent to the Western Front and has experienced several trying experiences there.
1:04:25
GW14: The Southern Fronts, 1916-17
In this episode, Sean and James turn south and east to explore the lesser-known fronts of World War I in 1916 and 1917. From the brutal mountain battles along the Isonzo River and the Italian disaster at Caporetto to Romania’s ill-fated entry into the war and the stagnant Allied front at Salonika, …
34:51
Wings
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the oldest film they have reviewed to date. Wings (1927) is a silent epic that follows two young American men from a small town who become fighter pilots in the First World War, tracing their rivalry, friendship, and romantic entanglements as they are transfo…
52:50
GW13: The Air War
In this episode, Sean and James take to the skies to explore the dramatic rise of air combat during World War I. We trace how fragile, open-cockpit reconnaissance planes evolved into deadly fighters and bombers. We also will see how the various combatants introduced aerial tactics, which gave rise …
53:18