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Key Battles of American History
James Early
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.
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FIW 7: The Quebec Campaign
September 11, 2024 - 62 min
While British General Prideaux was busy laying siege to Fort Niagara and General Amherst was marching on Fort Carillon, the ambitious and aggressive 32-year-old James Wolfe was preparing an assault on the French fortress town of Quebec. This massive campaign would last three months and would involve nearly 9000 British soldiers and 162 ships attacking an incredibly strong fortress on a bluff nearly 300 feet above the St. Lawrence River. Join Jacob and James as they tell the fascinating story of the British campaign to take the capital city of New France.
FIW 6: More French Losses: Guadeloupe, Ft. Niagara, and Ft. Carillon
September 4, 2024 - 54 min
In 1759, the British had launched a highly successful campaign to push the French out of the Ohio Country and into Canada. Influenced by British sugar magnates, William Pitt decided to order a British attack on the major French sugar-producing islands in the Caribbean. The attack on Martinique failed, but the subsequent invasion of Guadeloupe was a huge success. Back in North America, General Jeffrey Amherst attempted to rack up more British victories against the tenacious French forces. Would he succeed? You already know the answer to the question...listen, and you shall find out!
FIW 5: The Tide Turns: Fort Frontenac and Fort Duquesne
August 28, 2024 - 52 min
By the summer of 1758, the French position in North America was growing increasingly tenuous. The flow of food and other supplies was drying up due to the British naval blockade of North America. There were simply too many British soldiers and not enough French to fight off the various British attacks. Meanwhile, the ambitious British campaign of 1758 continued with a bold strike on the key French supply hub of Fort Frontenac and with a slow but sure attack on that old thorn in the British side, Fort Duquesne.
FIW 4: Victory and Defeat: Louisbourg (again) and Fort Carillon
August 21, 2024 - 59 min
Beginning in 1758, the British war effort would be run by the brilliant and aggressive Member of Parliament William Pitt. Pitt opened up the government’s purse to properly fund the war effort and sent a cadre of new, younger, and more aggressive generals to try and turn the tide in North America. They kicked off the 1758 campaigning season with bold assaults on the key French positions of Louisbourg and Fort Carillon. Would these efforts succeed? Join Jacob and James as they tell you.
The Last of the Mohicans Part 2
August 17, 2024 - 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.
The Last of the Mohicans Part 1
August 14, 2024 - 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.
FIW 3: More Disasters: Oswego, Louisbourg, and Fort William Henry
August 7, 2024 - 51 min
After the French defeat of British forces led by George Washington in 1754 and Edward Braddock in 1755, things did not improve for the British. In 1756 and 1757, French forces captured the British forts Bull, Ontario, Oswego, and WIlliam Henry, while the French navy blocked a British attempt to capture Louisbourg. Meanwhile, in London, the King searched for a leader who could turn the tide in North America. Join Jacob and James as they tell how Britain was driven to the brink of collapse in the New World.
FIW 2: Washington, Albany, and Braddock's Defeat
July 31, 2024 - 57 min
After the French refused the young George Washington’s request that they leave the Ohio Country, Washington took a greater force and tried again. It did not go well. The next year, the British sent a still larger force under General Edward Braddock to expel the French by force. Did Braddock succeed? Listen, and Jacob and James will let you know!
FIW 1: Britain and France: Centuries of Conflict
July 24, 2024 - 48 min
By 1754, Great Britain and France had been fighting each other off and on for centuries. In the early seventeenth century, both empires began establishing colonies in North America, and both empires’ presence in the region grew over the next 150 years. As the British colonies looked to expand west and the French pushed south and east, conflict became inevitable. Join Jacob and James as they explore the roots of the French and Indian War.
FIW 0: Introduction to the French and Indian War
July 17, 2024 - 17 min
In this episode, James and new cohost Jacob Herr kick off a new series on the French and Indian War. You’ll want to catch every action-packed episode of this narrative of a little-known but crucial war for control of the region that later became the United States of America.
Meet Your Host
Meet Your Host
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.
