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Key Battles of American History

History

Latest episode

406 episodes

GW14: The Southern Fronts, 1916-17
11/03/2026 | 34 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James turn south and east to explore the lesser-known fronts of World War I in 1916 and 1917. From the brutal mountain battles along the Isonzo River and the Italian disaster at Caporetto to Romania’s ill-fated entry into the war and the stagnant Allied front at Salonika, the hosts trace how the war’s southern theaters shaped the fate of nations. They also examine the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Arab Revolt, and the British capture of Aqaba, Gaza, Jerusalem, and other key Middle Eastern sites. Together, these campaigns reveal how the Great War’s reach extended far beyond the trenches of France—and how they set the stage for the world that followed.
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Wings
07/03/2026 | 52 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the oldest film they have reviewed to date. Wings (1927) is a silent epic that follows two young American men from a small town who become fighter pilots in the First World War, tracing their rivalry, friendship, and romantic entanglements as they are transformed by combat. Renowned for its groundbreaking aerial photography and large-scale battle sequences, the film presents air warfare with unprecedented realism. Beneath the spectacle, Wings underscores the personal sacrifice and emotional devastation wrought by modern war.
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GW13: The Air War
04/03/2026 | 53 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James take to the skies to explore the dramatic rise of air combat during World War I. We trace how fragile, open-cockpit reconnaissance planes evolved into deadly fighters and bombers. We also will see how the various combatants introduced aerial tactics, which gave rise to aces like the Red Baron. We will discuss the first large-scale strategic bombing campaigns. We explore the daring lives and short survival rates of early pilots, the terror of zeppelin raids, and the birth of aircraft carriers and naval aviation. By the war’s end, aviation had been transformed from a novelty into a central weapon of modern warfare.
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The Trench
28/02/2026 | 41 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James review the 1999 film The Trench. The Trench follows a group of young British soldiers during the tense hours leading up to the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, focusing on their fears, friendships, and fragile hopes as they wait in the trenches. Rather than depicting large-scale combat, the film emphasizes psychological strain, class divisions, and the emotional toll of anticipation. When the long-awaited order finally comes, the human cost of industrial warfare is made starkly clear.
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GW12: The Battle of the Somme
25/02/2026 | 38 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James return to the Western Front to examine the Battle of the Somme—the bloodiest and most infamous clash of World War I. They explore the ambitious Allied plan, the disastrous first day that saw nearly 60,000 British casualties, and the grinding months of attrition that followed. Along the way, they discuss the debut of tanks, the shifting German command, and how the Somme became both a symbol of courage and futility. The hosts conclude by assessing whether the costly battle achieved anything beyond unimaginable loss.
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About 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 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. Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code battles at the link below and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/battles

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