Key Battles of American History
Salem Radio
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.
Location:
United States
Genres:
History Podcasts
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Episodes
VW5: The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the Entry of American Ground Forces
7/2/2025
In August, 1964, three North Vietnamese gunboats attacked an American destroyer. This incident was followed by a perceived (but imaginary) second attack. These attacks, although one was not real, led to the US Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to take “all necessary measures to repel armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Johnson then authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive and ongoing bombing of North Vietnam. He also decided to send the first American ground troops to South Vietnam.
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Duration:00:53:21
VW4: South Vietnam in Crisis
6/25/2025
In early 1963, the Viet Cong decisively defeated an attacking ARVN force at the Battle of Ap Bac, proving that the guerrillas were a force to be reckoned with. During that same year, much of South Vietnam fell under Viet Cong control, while most of the rest of the country descended into chaos. South Vietnamese cities saw an increasing number of protests, many of which were brutally put down by the Diem regime. Ultimately, Diem was assassinated, and a junta of generals took control. In November, U. S. president John F. Kennedy also fell victim to an assassin’s bullet and was replaced by Lyndon Johnson. What effect on the war would the changes in leadership have? Listen, and Sean and James will let you know.
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Duration:00:58:12
VW3: The Rise of the Viet Cong
6/18/2025
In 1959, the government of North Vietnam, now under the direction of Communist Party Chairman Le Duan, decided to initiate a war with the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem. To help fight Diem’s regime, the North Vietnamese facilitated the formation of a National Liberation Front (later dubbed the Viet Cong by the South Vietnamese government). The NLF/VC began a campaign of terror and assassinations that threatened to bring down the South Vietnamese government. Meanwhile, new U. S. President John F. Kennedy began increasing the number of American military advisors in South Vietnam. Join Sean and James as they discuss this key turning point of the war.
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Duration:00:44:00
VW2: Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva Agreements
6/11/2025
After the Second World War, France decided to reassert control over French Indochina. This policy met strong resistance from both Communist and right-wing political and military organizations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Resistance grew, leading to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). This conflict ended with the Geneva Agreements, in which the French agreed to depart, the country would be temporarily divided between a Communist North and a non-Commuist south, and elections would be held in 1956…or would they? Join Sean and James as they discuss this “war before the war” that is little known to westerners but is a crucial prelude to the more well-known Vietnam War.
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Duration:00:41:18
VW1: Introduction to the Vietnam War
6/4/2025
In this episode, Evan Muxen returns to join James and to help kick off a new series on the Vietnam War. Evan and James give an overview of Vietnamese history from its beginning down through the period of French domination, the Japanese conquest during WW2, and the fight for control of Vietnam after WW2.
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Duration:00:59:31
The 10 Best Allied Fighters of World War II (with Sean McIver) - Part 2
5/31/2025
In this episode, Sean and James complete their discussion of the top 10 Allied fighters of World War II.
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Duration:00:41:25
The 10 Best Allied Fighters of World War II (with Sean McIver) - Part 1
5/28/2025
In this episode, James and frequent guest Sean McIver count down the ten best Allied fighter planes of World War II.
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Duration:00:45:23
KW13: Prisoners of War in the Korean War
5/21/2025
In any war, being taken prisoner is a traumatic experience, and the Korean War was no exception. In this episode, James discusses the experiences of Korean War POWs on both sides.
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Duration:00:41:38
KW12: The Naval War in Korea
5/14/2025
In this episode, James gives a summary of the crucial role played by the U.S. and allied navies, including transport, supply, naval air operations, special forces operations, and naval support of ground operations.
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Duration:00:39:19
KW11: The Air War in Korea
5/7/2025
In this episode, James presents an overview of the air war over Korea, including the transition from propeller-driven planes to jets, the strategic bombing campaign, the experience of individual pilots, and the key role of helicopters.
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Duration:00:46:58
Gettysburg in Literature, Film, and History: Day 3
4/30/2025
In this episode, Sean, Steve, and James continue their discussion of the real events and background of the Battle of Gettysburg as portrayed through the 1993 film Gettysburg. One last massive infantry charge just might be the answer to break the gridlock of this battle! Your lovable hosts also discuss the aftermath of Gettysburg and its place in the Civil War.
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Duration:00:53:05
Gettysburg in Literature, Film, and History: Day 2
4/23/2025
This week, Sean, Steve and James continue their discussion of the real events and background of the Battle of Gettysburg as portrayed through the 1993 film Gettysburg. The forces of North and South have deployed on and near the high ground of Culp’s Hill, Cemetery Hill, Cemetery Ridge, and Little Round Top. Attacks have commenced but the outcome still is in doubt. Armies of tens of thousands crash together and heroes are made in Gettysburg!
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Duration:01:08:20
Gettysburg in Literature, Film, and History: Day 1
4/16/2025
This week, Sean, Steve, and James continue our discussion of the real events and background of the Battle of Gettysburg as portrayed through the 1993 film Gettysburg. The discussion today focuses on the events of the first full day of battle, July 1, 1863. We look at some of the big players and the early strategies the two sides used to try and get the upper hand.
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Duration:00:41:46
Gettysburg in Literature, Film, and History: Setting up the Battle
4/9/2025
In this special episode, first aired on Steve Guerra’s Beyond the Big Screen Podcast in 2019, James, Steve, and Sean McIver begin a four-part discussion of the 1993 classic Civil War film Gettysburg. In this first episode we will fill in some of the background of the battle, the film, and the book on which the film is based.
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Duration:00:57:18
Lafayette with Kat Smith
4/2/2025
In this episode, James interviews historian and Lafayette aficionado Kat Smith about America’s favorite fighting Frenchman, the Marquis de Lafayette. Kat is the Marketing And Public Relations Manager at Journey 7, 7ames 7ee Films. She also serves as the Senior Advisor for Social Media & Communications at Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration - VA250 and the Social Media Manager at The American Friends of Lafayette.
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Duration:00:49:14
Washington's Incompetence with Howard Dorre
3/26/2025
This week, James sits down with Howard Dorre, host of the Plodding Through the Presidents Podcast, to discuss the devastating military failure of young George Washington and the qualities that later made him so successful as a general and president.
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Duration:00:41:42
KW10: Epilogue to the Korean War
3/19/2025
In this episode, Evan and James wrap up the military and political narrative of the Korean War by discussing the human and material costs of the war, the war’s most important short-term and long-term ramifications, and the postwar lives and careers of the war’s top military and political leaders.
Washington’s Incompetence with Howard Dorre: This week, James sits down with Howard Dorre, host of the Plodding Through the Presidents Podcast, to discuss the devastating military failure of young George Washington and the qualities that later made him so successful as a general and president.
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Duration:01:12:35
Pork Chop Hill
3/15/2025
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 1959 film Pork Chop Hill, which stars Gregory Peck, Woody Strode, Rip Torn, George Peppard, and many other future stars of the big and small screens. Based upon the 1956 book by U.S. military historian Brigadier General S. L. A. Marshall, Pork Chop Hill depicts the fierce First Battle of Pork Chop Hill between the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division and Chinese and North Korean forces in April 1953.
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Duration:00:48:00
KW9: Final Battles and the Armistice
3/12/2025
In this episode, Evan and James discuss the final few months of the Korean War, including the battles for The Hook and Pork Chop Hill, the renewed peace talks, the signing of the Armistice Agreement in July 1953, and the immediate aftermath of the war.
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Duration:00:52:52
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
3/8/2025
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2004 South Korean film, Tae Guk Gi (The Brotherhood of War), which tells the story of two brothers who are forcibly drafted into the South Korean army at the outbreak of the Korean War. The film follows the brothers all the way to the end of the war and reveals the horror of the war in its fullness. Tae Guk Gi became one of the biggest successes in the history of South Korean film up to that time.
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Duration:00:57:10