Key Battles of American History
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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 10: Epilogue to the French and Indian War
October 2, 2024 - 62 min
In this final episode of the series, Jacob and James discuss the legacy of the French and Indian War and the post-war lives and careers of the main leaders on both sides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
FIW 9: More Conflict in the Caribbean and the Treaty of Paris
September 25, 2024 - 42 min
Following the French surrender of Canada, General Jeffrey Amherst began working on consolidating British control of North America. Meanwhile, British naval and ground forces captured Martinique. Spain joined the war, and Britain promptly attacked and captured the key city of Havana, Cuba. Finally, France and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, bringing peace and many territorial changes in North America. Join Jacob and James as they discuss the final stages of the French and Indian War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
FIW 8: The Fall of Canada and the Cherokee War
September 18, 2024 - 52 min
Having lost Quebec in 1759, the French tried to retake it in 1760 but failed. Soon afterward, three separate British armies converged on the last major French possession in Canada: Montreal.  Meanwhile, in late 1758, conflict between Cherokee warriors and British colonists broke out in the southern colonies. The fighting would last for three years before a long-term peace was established. Join Jacob and James as they discuss the final major campaigns of the war on the North American continent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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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.
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