Key Battles of American History

In this new mini-series, Scott Rank is rejoined by James Early (his co-host on many other military history mini-series, covering the Civil War, World War One, and the Revolutionary War) to look at a little-known war that pitted the infant United States against the Barbary States of North Africa. The Barbary Wars were a series of conflicts between the United States and the Barbary States of North Africa (modern-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) from 1801 to 1815, fought over the piracy and tribute demands imposed on American ships. These wars marked the U.S. Navy's first significant overseas military engagements and helped establish American maritime power. We also see the birth of of the U.S. Marines and how they literally fought on the shore of Tripoli.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 1 1943, a force of 177 American heavy bombers conducted a strategic bombing mission over the oil fields near Ploesti, Romania to deny petroleum-based fuel to the Axis powers. The operation was one of the costliest for the USAAF in the European Theater, with 53 aircraft and 500 aircrewmen lost. It was proportionally the most costly major Allied air raid of the war, and its date was later referred to as "Black Sunday."  Join James as he tells the gripping story of "Operation Tidal Wave" in this special topical episode written by Sean McIver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.