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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

44:10

RW15: The Revolutionary War at Sea (Part Two)

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/10/07

In this episode, the second of a three-part miniseries on the naval war, James and Audrey examine how the Continental Navy and hundreds of American privateers waged a relentless campaign against British commerce, forcing the Royal Navy to divert valuable ships to protect merchant convoys. We then explore the dramatic impact of the American victory at Saratoga, which persuaded France to enter the war and transformed the Revolution into a global conflict. Finally, we follow the extraordinary exploits

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42:39

RW14: The Revolutionary War at Sea (Part One)

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/30

The Revolutionary War was fought not only on the battlefields of North America but also across the world's oceans, where Britain's mighty Royal Navy faced an unlikely challenge from a fledgling American naval force. In this first installment of a three-part series, James and Audrey explore the harsh realities of life aboard British and American warships, the rise of privateering, and the birth of the Continental Navy under leaders like John Adams, George Washington, and Esek Hopkins. We'll examine

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45:30

Saavedra's Revolution with James Giesler

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/26

In this episode, James interviews author James Giesler about his book Francisco de Saavedra’s American Revolutionary War: The Spanish Contribution to the Battle of Yorktown. Saavedra is little-known among twenty-first century Americans, in spite of the fact that he played an outsized role in helping the Patriots win the Battle of Yorktown. You will almost certainly enjoy listening to this captivating interview about this fascinating 18th century figure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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49:32

RW13: Yorktown and the End of the War

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/23

Nathanael Greene's brilliant campaign in the Carolinas left Charles Cornwallis with little choice but to carry the war into Virginia, setting in motion the chain of events that would decide the American Revolution. As George Washington, the Comte de Rochambeau, Admiral de Grasse, and the Comte de Barras coordinated one of the war's most daring and complex campaigns, the Franco-American allies trapped Cornwallis's army at Yorktown. After a relentless siege, Cornwallis surrendered more than 7,000

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79:37

The Patriot with Michael Troy

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/19

In this episode, Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast, joins James to discuss and review the controversial 2000 film The Patriot. Is The Patriot so historically inaccurate that it is not worth watching? Or does it have enough positive traits to merit a viewing? Join Mike and James as they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of this much talked about film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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59:07

RW12: The War Moves South

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/16

In this episode, James and Audrey follow the British Southern Campaign from its stunning victories at Savannah, Charleston, and Camden to the beginning of its dramatic unraveling. Your hosts then take a brief detour to examine Benedict Arnold's infamous treason, and then they introduce the brilliant commanders who would shape the fighting in the South, while also discussing the brutal civil war that erupted between Patriots and Loyalists. Finally, we turn to the pivotal Battles of King's Mountain

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46:12

RW11: The Rhode Island Campaign

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/09

The British occupation of Newport, Rhode Island, in late 1776 set the stage for one of the Revolutionary War's most important—and most overlooked—campaigns. In this episode, James and Audrey examine the American attempts to recapture the strategic port, culminating in the first major combined military operation between the United States and its new French ally under Admiral d'Estaing. We follow the campaign from its promising beginnings through the devastating storm, the diplomatic

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55:19

RW10: The Philadelphia Campaign

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/09/02

In this episode, James and Audrey examine the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777–78, as British General William Howe captured the American capital but failed to destroy George Washington's army. We follow the campaign through the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, White Marsh, and Monmouth, while also exploring the dramatic defense of Forts Mifflin and Mercer and the Marquis de Lafayette's daring escape at Barren Hill. Along the way, we discuss the hardships of Valley Forge, the Conway Cabal's

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48:21

RW9: The Tide Turns: Saratoga

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/08/26

In this episode, James and Audrey examine the Saratoga campaign of 1777, in which British General John Burgoyne led an army south from Canada in an effort to cut New England off from the rest of the rebelling colonies. As Burgoyne’s supply problems mounted and the promised support from Barry St. Leger, William Howe, and Henry Clinton failed to materialize in time, American forces under Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold, John Stark, and Daniel Morgan steadily gained the advantage. The hard-fought

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68:45

The Crossing with Michael Troy

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/08/22

In this special episode, James is joined by Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast, to review the 2000 film The Crossing, starring Jeff Daniels as George Washington. Together, we discuss the film's historical accuracy, memorable performances, and its portrayal of one of the most pivotal moments of the American Revolution, separating cinematic drama from the historical record.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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40:31

RW8: Ten Crucial Days: Trenton and Princeton

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/08/19

By Christmas 1776, the American Revolution stood on the brink of collapse. In this episode, we follow George Washington's daring crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River, his stunning victory over the Hessians at Trenton, and his masterful escape from Cornwallis before delivering another decisive blow at Princeton. Along the way, we separate fact from legend, explore the courage and hardships endured by both sides, and examine the leadership and operational brilliance that made these ten days one

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50:06

RW7: The New York and New Jersey Campaign

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/08/12

In this episode, James and Audrey follow George Washington and the Continental Army through the disastrous New York and New Jersey campaign of 1776, as the British launch the largest overseas expedition in their nation's history to crush the rebellion. We examine the pivotal Battle of Long Island, Washington's remarkable nighttime escape from Brooklyn Heights, the loss of New York City, and the desperate retreat across New Jersey that brought the American cause to the brink of collapse. Along the

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62:03

RW6: Common Sense, Charleston, and Independence

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/08/05

In the first half of 1776, the Patriot cause gained momentum as Thomas Paine's Common Sense inspired thousands, Patriot forces repelled a British assault on Charleston, and the Continental Congress debated the question of independence. In this episode, James and Audrey follow the events that transformed thirteen rebellious colonies into the United States of America. Your hosts also examine the drafting and meaning of the Declaration of Independence. From Sullivan's Island to Philadelphia, this

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48:51

RW5: Quebec and the Noble Train of Artillery

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/29

In the aftermath of Bunker Hill, both Britain and the Continental Congress took decisive steps that pushed the colonies closer to a complete break with the mother country. Meanwhile, American forces under Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold launched a daring invasion of Canada, only to suffer a devastating defeat before the walls of Quebec. As the northern campaign collapsed amid disease, hunger, and retreat, George Washington searched for a way to break the British hold on Boston. The answer

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54:05

RW4: Bunker Hill; Washington Takes Command

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/22

In this episode, James and Audrey follow the American Revolution from the meeting of the Second Continental Congress to the bloody Battle of Bunker Hill. We explore the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the growing siege of Boston, and the desperate struggle on Breed's Hill that proved colonial militiamen could stand against Britain's professional army. We also examine the staggering cost of Britain's victory and the profound impact the battle had on both sides of the conflict. Finally, we trace the

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52:53

RW3: British and Continental Soldiers

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/15

What was life really like for the men who fought in the Revolutionary War? In this episode, James and Audrey step away from the battlefield narrative to explore the everyday experiences of British redcoats, Patriots, Loyalists, Hessians, Native Americans, and Black Americans who served in the war. From enlistment and training to uniforms, weapons, food, discipline, and camp life, they examine the realities of eighteenth-century military service. Along the way, they separate myth from fact and reveal

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39:56

RW2: The Shot Heard Round the World: Lexington and...

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/08

In this episode, James and Audrey follow the mounting crisis in Massachusetts as General Thomas Gage attempts to crush growing colonial resistance. James and Audrey trace the dramatic events of April 18–19, 1775, from Paul Revere’s famous ride to the first shots fired at Lexington Green and the fierce fighting at Concord’s North Bridge. Your hosts also recount the brutal British retreat back to Boston, as thousands of Patriot militiamen attacked the exhausted redcoats along the

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58:48

RW1: The Roots of the Revolutionary War

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/04

In this premiere episode of The Revolutionary War, James Early and cohost Audrey Rogers explore the roots of the American Revolution, from the founding of Britain’s North American colonies to the growing tensions between Parliament and the colonies after the French and Indian War. The episode examines how new British taxes, including the Sugar Act and Stamp Act, sparked fierce resistance and ignited the debate over “taxation without representation.” James and Audrey also trace the

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27:26

Southern Unionists in the Civil War

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/07/01

During the American Civil War, around 100,000 southern Unionists served in the Union Army, with every southern state except South Carolina raising official organizations of white troops.In this episode. In addition, many thousands of southern civilians remained loyal to the Union. In this episode, frequent cohost Sean McIver returns to join James in discussing the fascinating story of southerners who remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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56:43

Been There, Done That with Greg Jackson

Key Battles of American History ·

2026/06/24

In this episode, James interviews noted author, podcaster, and history professor Greg Jackson about his recently released bookBeen There, Done That. In this excellent book, Jackson points out that our nation’s past is full of massive upheaval, disagreement, and departures from the moral high ground. The political gentlemanly conduct of yesteryear is no more than a myth. But that reality never allowed our worst historical selves to defeat our better angels. Jackson looks back in time to eight

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