x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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

history

All Episodes

62:16

KW3: The Allies Strike Back: Inchon, Seoul, and the...

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/22

Soon after the North Korean invasion of the South, Allied Supreme Military Commander General Dougas MacArthur began planning a surprise amphibious assault on the key port city of Inchon, which was more than 100 miles behind North Korean lines. This attack was risky for many reasons, but if it succeeded, MacArthur believed, it would force the North Korean army to retreat back into the North and possibly result in the capture of much of the North Korean army. Join Evan and James as they discuss the

en-US

64:35

71: Into the Fire

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/18

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2010 South Korean film 71: Into the Fire. This film is based on a true story of a group of 71 undertrained, underarmed, and outgunned student volunteer soldiers of South Korea during the Korean War, most of whom were killed on August 11, 1950, during the Battle of P'ohang-dong. For 11 hours, they defended the local P'ohang girls' middle school, a strategic point for safeguarding the struggling Nakdong River perimeter, from an attack by overwhelming North

en-US

77:34

KW2: The Invasion of South Korea

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/15

On June 25, 1950, 150,000 soldiers of the North Korean People’s Army launched an attack across the 38th Parallel into South Korea. They quickly pushed the outnumbered, outgunned, and demoralized South Korean army southward and captured the southern capital Seoul and several other key cities. The United States rushed ground, air and sea forces to the region and set up a perimeter around the key port of Pusan, stopping the North Korean advance….for a while, at least. Join Evan and James

en-US

61:14

The Steel Helmet

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/11

This week, James brings back his friend and long-time collaborator Sean McIver to kick off a nine-part series on Korean War films. In this first film episode, Sean and James discuss a mostly-forgotten classic: 1951’s The Steel Helmet, directed by Samuel Fuller. Filmed in just ten days on a shoestring budget only four months after the war began, The Steel Helmet portrays the Korean War in a grim, hard hitting tale that is excellently told and that deals with uncomfortable topics, including

en-US

60:57

KW1: Background to the Korean War

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/08

In this episode, James and new cohost Evan Muxen (an army veteran and military historian) begin a new series on the Korean War. Evan and James give a brief overview of Korean history through the end of the Second World War and then slow down to focus on developments between 1945 and 1950. You will hear how the splitting of Korea into two halves, one occupied by the Soviet Union and the other by the United States, led to the formation of two rival Korean republics, neither of which was satisfied with

en-US

54:55

ENCORE: Truman and the Atomic Bomb (with Richard Lim)

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/01/01

Was President Harry Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary and justified? In this episode, James is joined by Richard Lim, host of the This American President podcast. James and Richard break down the various factors that figured into Truman’s decision in an attempt to answer this important question.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

56:26

ENCORE: Longstreet with Elizabeth Varon

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/25

In this episode, James interviews Elizabeth Varon, the Langbourne M. Williams Professor of American History and Associate Director of the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia, about her new book Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South. One of the Confederate Army’s most talented commanders, Longstreet was called “my old war horse” by Robert E. Lee. But within a few years of the end of the war, Longstreet had become a Republican and fought

en-US

58:08

The Pacific Episode 10

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/21

Following the Japanese surrender, the Marines return home. Leckie resumes working at the newspaper he worked for before the war. He also starts a relationship with Vera, revealing that he never sent the letters he wrote because he believed he was not going to survive the war. Sledge, Shelton, and Burgin arrive home in the spring of 1946. Sledge is still haunted by the horrors of war, he struggles to adjust despite reassurance from his father and Phillips. Basilone's widow, Lena, visits his parents

en-US

51:36

Marine Raiders

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/18

In this episode, James tells the fascinating history of America’s first Special Forces unit: the Marine Raiders. Formed in 1942, the Raiders played a key role in several Pacific Theater battles, including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville. In 1944, the Raider battalions were disbanded, and their members were reassigned to regular Marine units. Why, you ask? Listen and find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

54:31

The Pacific Episode 9

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/14

Sledge and the 1st Marine Division land at Okinawa. Cynical and exhausted, Sledge and "Snafu" Shelton show no compassion for the Japanese troops and struggle to lead new replacement Marines fresh out of boot camp. The Marines are horrified to discover Okinawan civilians, including women and children, are being forced to act as human shields. As the battle concludes, the Marines hear of a "new bomb" that "vaporized an entire [Japanese] city in the blink of an eye".See omnystudio.com/listener for

en-US

61:34

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 9: Aftermath...

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/11

In this final episode of our series on the Barbary Wars, we look at the fates of the Barbary States. After 1815, the Barbary States lost their independence, with Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, and Morocco succumbing to European powers through military defeats and colonization, culminating in French and Spanish protectorates by the 19th century. We also look at how the Barbary Wars placed the United States on a pathway to global naval hegemony.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

42:45

The Pacific Episode 8

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/07

Tired of selling war bonds, Basilone requests a combat assignment and is transferred to the 5th Marine Division where he trains Marines for combat as a gunnery sergeant. He meets and marries Lena Riggi. Basilone lands at Iwo Jima, but is killed in action on the first day. Join Sean and James as they discuss this gut-wrenching episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

41:49

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 8: The...

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/12/04

The conclusion of the War of 1812 elevated America's naval reputation and marked the start of the "Era of Good Feelings," a period of national pride. With peace restored, President Madison redirected attention to the Barbary pirates, who had exploited American merchant ships during the war. Furious at the enslavement of American sailors, Madison secured Congressional approval to wage war against Algiers in early 1815. Naval leaders like Stephen Decatur achieved swift victories, leveraging military

en-US

52:56

The Pacific Episode 7

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/30

In this episode, Sean and James continue their discussion and review of The Pacific. In this episode, Sledge and the 5th Marines move into Peleliu's Bloody Nose Ridge to face the Japanese. In the ensuing battle, both Lieutenant "Hillbilly" Jones and Captain Andrew "Ack-Ack" Haldane are killed in the fighting about Hill 140. K company grieves while trying to finish securing the island.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

46:46

Key Battles of the Barbary War, Episode 7: An Uneasy...

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/27

The 1807 Treaty with Tripoli ended the First Barbary War, allowing American ships to sail freely in the Mediterranean without tribute payments. This victory spurred national pride, with many Americans viewing the war as a continuation of their revolutionary ideals. However, new challenges emerged in the Atlantic as the Napoleonic Wars intensified, pressuring U.S. trade. Jefferson's attempt to protect American neutrality through an embargo on Britain and France faced domestic resistance and

en-US

34:28

The Pacific Episode 6

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/23

Sustaining heavy losses and fighting in exceedingly hot conditions with little drinkable water, the Marines move to capture Peleliu's vital airfield. Leckie is wounded by a blast concussion while trying to find a corpsman and a radio. With a face full of shrapnel and limited mobility, he is evacuated and sent to recuperate on a hospital ship. Meanwhile, Sledge and K Company of the 5th Marines prepare to attack the toughest Japanese defensive position on the island. Join Sean and James as they

en-US

44:18

Key Battles of the Barbary War, Episode 6:...

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/20

In Episode 6, we dive into two pivotal battles in the First Barbary War: Tripoli and Derne. It starts with Stephen Decatur's dramatic assault on Tripoli Harbor in August 1804, where he led American gunboats against a larger Tripolitanian fleet, avenging his brother's death in single combat and shelling the city. Commodore Preble's daring attempts to destroy Tripoli's defenses are followed by the tragic loss of the USS Intrepid crew. We then move to William Eaton’s ambitious overland march with a

en-US

55:25

The Pacific Episode 5

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/16

In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 5 of The Pacific, in which Eugene Sledge goes into combat for the first time. Sledge is briefly reunited with Phillips on Pavuvu before Phillips departs to return home to Mobile. Sledge meets Merriell "Snafu" Shelton, R.V. Burgin, Bill Leyden, Gunny Haney, and his company commander Andy Haldane, all of whom will be his companions in the fighting come. Later, the 1st Marine Division lands at Peleliu, where they encounter stiff resistance from the Japanese

en-US

40:02

Key Battles of the Barbary Wars, Episode 5: The...

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/13

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

en-US

37:17

The Pacific Episode 4

Key Battles of American History ·

2024/11/09

Previously limited by a heart murmur, Eugene Sledge enlists in the Marines and trains for combat, while Leckie and the 1st Marine Division are put into action at Cape Gloucester. The relentless rain and jungle environment takes its toll on the Marines. Leckie is treated for nocturnal enuresis caused by combat stress and is hospitalized for a number of weeks. The Marines (including both Sledge and Leckie) arrive on Pavuvu, which serves as a temporary base for the 1st Marine Division. Meanwhile,

en-US

416 results

Similar Podcasts

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

جنود خلدهم التاريخ

ALSUMOOD PODCAST

Film History - Daily

Inception Point Ai

Madonna - Biography Flash

Inception Point Ai