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.
Naval combat played a major role throughout the European Theater of the Second World War. Without constant supply convoys from the United States to Great Britain and the Soviet Union, the Allies could not have defeated Hitler. But those convoys had to be protected from attacks by German U-boats and other warships. In this episode, Sean and James narrate the early years of the naval war around Europe, including the epic story of the search for and destruction of the massive German battleship Bismarck.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Naval combat played a major role throughout the European Theater of the Second World War. Without constant supply convoys from the United States to Great Britain and the Soviet Union, the Allies could not have defeated Hitler. But those convoys had to be protected from attacks by German U-boats and other warships. In this episode, Sean and James narrate the early years of the naval war around Europe, including the epic story of the search for and destruction of the massive German battleship Bismarck.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 1969 movie Battle of Britain, which tells the gripping story of the fight for air supremacy over the United Kingdom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Having conquered most of Western Europe, Hitler was determined to invade the United Kingdom and bring it to its knees. But before the Germans could launch the invasion, they needed to crush the Royal Air Force. Accordingly, the Fuhrer ordered a bombing campaign on RAF bases throughout southern England, in a campaign that came to be known as the Battle of Britain. Join Sean and James as they narrate this pivotal battle of the early war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As German forces swept through the Low Countries and France, about half a million Allied soldiers became trapped near the port city of Dunkirk. Between May 26 and June 4, the overwhelming majority were evacuated to Britain by British military and civilian vessels. In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2017 movie Dunkirk, which tells the amazing story of the “Miracle of Dunkirk.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In May 1940, over three million German soldiers crossed Germany’s western border and quickly conquered the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Germany implemented direct rule over part of France, while setting up the puppet regime of Vichy France to govern the rest. In the meantime, hundreds of British naval and civilian vessels evacuated over 300,000 trapped Allied soldiers to Britain, to fight another day. Britain was now the only nation left in the struggle against Germany. Join Sean and James as they narrate the fall of the Low Countries and France.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The life of a German submarine crewman was filled with challenges, including cramped and dank quarters, poor food, and the constant threat of being spotted and attacked by Allied ships. 75% of German submarine crews eventually met their doom. The 1982 German film Das Boot takes you down under the water with one crew, providing a gripping account of the horrors of submarine warfare. Join Sean and James as they discuss this outstanding film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the fall of 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a peace treaty in which the two nations also agreed to divide Poland. Soon afterward, the German army invaded Poland, unveiling a new type of warfare that became known as “Blitzkrieg.” After the fall of Poland, Europe settled into an uneasy calm. Meanwhile, Soviet soldiers invaded Finland but met with fierce resistance. In this episode, Sean and James tell the story of Blitzkrieg, Sitzkrieg, and the Winter War between the USSR and Finland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Upon becoming Prime Minister of the UK in 1940, Winston Churchill’s first and greatest challenge was how to deal with the growing threat posed by Nazi Germany. Many key British leaders urged Churchill to make a peace deal with Germany, but Churchill refused. In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2017 film Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman as Churchill, in an Academy-award winning performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In March 1938, Germany declared its annexation of Austria. Soon after, Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland, an area of Czechoslovakia with a heavy German population, also be added to the Reich. On 15 September, Hitler met with the leaders of Great Britain and France, signing the Munich Agreement, in which the western Allies formally recognized Hitler’s territorial expansion. Hitler declared the Sudetenland to be "the last territorial demand I have to make in Europe." But was it? Join Sean and James and you will find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
