Key Battles of American History

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2004 movie The Alamo, starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, and Patrick Wilson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of the world is full of unsung heroes and misunderstood figures who have shaped our lives in profound ways. Their contributions to history are, simply put, underrated. Recently, four of the guys from the Parthenon Podcast Network (Josh Cohen from Eyewitness History, Richard Lim from This American President, Steve Guerra from History of the Papacy and Beyond the Big Screen, and Scott Rank from History Unplugged) discussed who they believe is the most underrated figure in US History (James was busy and sat this one out).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the classic 1960 movie The Alamo, directed by and starring John Wayne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Texas Revolution cast a long shadow not just over Texas history, but over United States history. In this final episode of Key Battles of the Texas Revolution, Sean and James discuss the short- and long-term effects of the Texas Revolution. They also tell about the postwar lives and careers of the major players on both sides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks after the fall of the Alamo, the Texian garrison at Goliad surrendered to another Mexican force, and a week after that, the garrison was executed on the orders of Santa Anna. Santa Anna and his army began marching east, toward the seat of the Texas government, while the Texas army retreated before him. On April 21, the two armies met at the brief but decisive Battle of San Jacinto, after which Santa Anna was captured. Santa Anna then signed the Treaty of Velasco, which ordered all Mexican armies in Texas back across the Rio Grande and which also acknowledged Texas’ independence. Join Sean and James as they tell the story of the final actions of the Texas Revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Eyewitness History Podcast, Host Josh Cohen speaks with the former principal of Columbine High School, Frank DeAngelis. Frank and Josh discuss the events of the tragic shooting, what the police were doing at the time of the shooting, as well as the potential motivations of the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. They also discuss the infamous basement tapes, as well as seeing Klebold the previous week at prom, in addition to a lot more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early 1836, Santa Anna personally led an army into Texas to put down the rebellion. His first target was San Antonio, particularly the fortified mission called the Alamo, in which nearly 200 Texians and Tejanos were holding out. After a 13-day siege, Santa Anna’s army stormed the Alamo and captured or killed all its defenders. During the siege, the acting Texas government declared Texas to be an independent Republic. In this episode, Sean and James tell the fascinating but tragic story of the fall of the Alamo, as well as discuss the Texas Declaration of Independence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early 1862, a Confederate force consisting mainly of Texans launched an invasion of the New Mexico territory. After a quick and largely unopposed march, they ran into a Union force defending the territory. Would the Confederates succeed in their quest to make New Mexico part of the Confederacy, or would the Union defenders drive them away? Listen to this special bonus episode, and you will find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Further restrictive measures passed by Santa Anna’s government motivated many Texians to mount a full-scale rebellion in October 1835 at the town of Gonzales. For some, the goal was statehood for Texas within the Mexican republic, but for others, the goal was full independence. A newly formed Texian army attacked Mexican positions at Goliad, Concepcion, and San Antonio, driving the Mexican army back across the Rio Grande. Some Texians believed the revolution was over and that they had won. But had they? “Come and take” in Sean and James’ narration of the beginning of the Texas Revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 1830, immigration of Americans to Texas had become a flood, and the Mexican authorities became alarmed. To stop the rapid growth of Anglo settlers, the Mexican government passed a law that banned further Anglo immigration to Texas. Three years, later, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna became President of Mexico and began stripping away the Mexican states’ rights. These measures motivated many Texians to engage in minor acts of rebellion, but for the time being, Texas remained part of Mexico. But would that last? In this episode, Sean and James discuss Texas’ gradual descent into revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before Texas was a U. S. state, it was a part of Mexico, which in turn was part of the massive Spanish Empire. When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, it became the northeastern most province of the new nation. At about that same time, large numbers of Americans began settling in Mexico, both legally and illegally. Join Sean and James as they narrate these early years of Texas history, focusing on the challenges faced by both the Mexican government and the early Anglo settlers of Texas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, cohost Sean McIver and James introduce the upcoming mini-series on the Texas Revolution. Sean and James make the case that all Americans, not just Texans, should study the Texas Revolution. Why, you ask? Listen and find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1860 and early 1861, desire for secession grew to a fever pitch in Texas. But there was one man who tried to stop it...Governor Sam Houston. Join James as he tells the story of Houston's heroic but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to keep Texas in the Union.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this joint Beyond the Big Screen and Key Battles of American History episode, Steve and James discuss the 1958 movie The Buccaneer, a highly fictionalized telling of the role of the pirate Jean Lafitte and his men in the Battle of New Orleans. The film stars Yul Brynner as Lafitte and Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson. As always, Steve and James do much more than just talk about the movie; they also do a fairly deep dive into the real story behind the film's events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of the key figures of the War of 1812 went on to have long and distinguished careers, with no fewer than four becoming President of the United States. Others went into retirement, while still others’ lives were tragically cut short by disease or dueling. In this final episode of the series, Steve and James discuss the post-war lives and careers of the top political and military leaders of the War of 1812.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the very beginning of the war, both sides expressed a desire to end it. Soon, each side reached out to the other to discuss terms of peace. But the British were in no hurry, and as a result, serious negotiations did not begin until 1814. After several months of haggling, the British and American peace delegations finally produced the Treaty of Ghent, which formally ended the war. But what exactly changed as a result of the treaty? Also, what was the war’s legacy? We’re glad you asked! Join us, and you will find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wanting to bring the war to parts of the U. S. that had not yet experienced it, the British in late 1814 opened up a campaign against the Gulf Coast. This campaign culminated in the British attack on the major port city of New Orleans. The British force, consisting of 5300 crack soldiers, faced a hodge-podge group of 4700 defenders, including regular Army soldiers, militia, volunteers, African-Americans (both free and slave), Indians, and even pirates. Would the British prevail? Join Steve and James as they discuss the leadup to the epic Battle of New Orleans, the battle itself, and the battle’s aftermath.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1814, the United States faced increasing hostility to the war in New England as well as near economic collapse. In this mini-episode, Steve and James discuss the so-called “Crisis of 1814” and the Hartford Convention, a meeting among delegates from several New England states who wanted the Madison administration to address their grievances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1814, the British decided that the best defense is a good offense. Accordingly, they launched a series of attacks on various parts of the American northeast while also returning to the Chesapeake region. This time, however, the British planned to do more in the Chesapeake than simply conduct raids. Instead, they set their sights on two of the most important American cities: Baltimore and Washington, DC. Would the British succeed in capturing a great deal of American territory? Would they force the Americans to capitulate? Listen, and you shall see!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Guerra on Freemasonry, The Catholic Church, and the Modern WorldThis is a sample of a recent episode of Steve Guerra's History of the Papacy Podcast (https://www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-the-papacy-podcast/) about Freemasonry, the Catholic Church, and the modern world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1814, American forces, believing in the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again”, launched yet another invasion of Canada. The American army in early 1814 was much better fed, equipped, trained, and motivated than it had been in 1812 or 1813. But their British foe had been reinforced by battle-hardened, albeit exhausted redcoats fresh from the Napoleonic Wars. Would the third time be the charm for the Americans? Join us and find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even when they were not fighting, soldiers in the War of 1812 suffered great hardships. These included poor pay, harsh discipline, extreme temperatures, rampant disease, and inadequate food, clothing, housing, and equipment. And if they were captured by the enemy, things often grew even worse. In this episode, Steve and James push “Pause” on the narrative of battles and put you in the boots of a common soldier. What did soldiers eat and drink? What kind of equipment did they have? What did they do when not in combat? What was War of 1812 combat like? What would happen if they became prisoners? We will answer these and many more questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1813, the War of 1812 spread to the American South, as an American army led by General Andrew Jackson attempted to suppress the Red Sticks, a faction of the Creek Nation that rebelled against White authority. Also in 1813, British forces began raiding American settlements along the Chesapeake Bay. Join Steve and James as they narrate the story of the beginnings of the war in the South.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, James again joins forces with Jerry Landry, host of the Presidencies of the United States Podcast. This time, Jerry leads the discussion, which concerns one of the most controversial figures in American history: Andrew Jackson. Much of the controversy that swirls around Jackson comes from actions he took long after the War of 1812, when he was President of the United States. In this discussion, however, Jerry and James focus on Jackson’s military career. Does Jackson deserve to be counted as one of America’s greatest generals? James and Jerry will lay out the evidence to help you decide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Steve and James go back out on the water, including both the open ocean and the Great Lakes to follow the actions of the US Navy in 1813. The Navy ranged far and wide, enjoying a few victories while also suffering significant losses. Steve and James also discuss key political and economic events of 1813.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1813, the American ground forces in the north launched a second series of attacks against British forces in Canada. This time the Americans were more experienced, better equipped, and were led by much better officers. In this episode, Steve and James discuss the second American offensive against Canada. Join us to see if it succeeded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, James is joined by special guest Jerry Landry, host of the Presidencies of the United States Podcast. Jerry and James discuss the early career and life of William Henry Harrison, who enjoyed a long military and political career and who led the US Army to victory at the battles of Tippecanoe and the Thames. Jerry has long been a fan of Harrison, so much so that his first podcast was all about “Old Tippecanoe.” You’ll love Jerry’s narration of the life and career of one of early America’s most important leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The War of 1812 was not fought merely on land, but also on the sea. To anyone at the time, it would have seemed that the tiny American navy, with only 16 ships at the start of the war, would be crushed by the Royal Navy, which had over 500 ships in service. But what the Americans lacked in numbers, they made up for in seamanship and determination. Would this be enough? Steve and James will let you know if the American “David” was able to overcome the British “Goliath.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soon after war was declared, U. S. President Madison and Secretary of War Eustis decided to launch a three-pronged assault on Canada. American forces would cross the Detroit, Niagara, and St. Lawrence Rivers and attack much smaller British and Canadian forces in three strategic locations. The plan seemed solid…but would it work? Join Steve and James as they discuss the 1812 American invasion of Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the time of the War of 1812, the United States was deeply divided between Republicans, most of whom supported the war, and Federalists, who opposed the war. This division broke out into violence in the Baltimore Riots of the summer of 1812. In this mini-episode, Steve and James discuss the Baltimore Riots, the war aims of the British and the Americans, the war aims of each side, and the critical US presidential election of 1812, which served as a sort of referendum on the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ended the American War for Independence, but it left many issues between the United States and Great Britain unresolved. In addition, Britain’s war with Napoleon and his allies motivated the British Navy to increasingly interfere with American shipping and even to impress American sailors into the British Navy. This, plus British support for Indian attacks in the American northwest, led many Americans to demand war with Britain.In this episode, Steve and James discuss the long series of events that led to the War of 1812.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, James kicks off Season 4 of Key Battles of American History. This new season will include discussions of the United States’ three most significant wars between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War: The War of 1812, the Texas Revolution, and the Mexican-American War. Over the next few weeks, James and new cohost Steve Guerra (host of the History of the Papacy and Beyond the Big Screen podcasts) will discuss the events leading to the War of 1812, the war itself, and the war’s aftermath and impact on American history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, James interviews Chris Mowery, host of the Vlogging Through History YouTube channel and the podcast of the same name, which is the newest podcast in the Parthenon Podcast Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1942, the United States government launched the Manhattan Project, a top-secret effort to build an atomic bomb for use against the Axis powers. In this episode, James and Sean discuss the 1989 film Fat Man and Little Boy, a fictionalized version of the attempt to build the bombs that focuses on the relationship between the project’s director General Leslie Groves and its lead scientist Robert Oppenheimer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By the late 1930s, Shanghai had a large international settlement that included a significant British community. During the city’s capture by Japanese forces in 1937, many British civilians became prisoners of war. Steven Speilberg’s Empire of the Sun, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by J. G. Ballard, tells the story of a young boy who becomes separated from his parents. The boy (Jamie, or “Jim”) befriends an American merchant ship captain who helps him to survive the camp and to reunite with his parents after the war ends. In this episode, James and Sean discuss this inspiring story, one of Sean’s favorites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people learn about history as a collection of names, dates, and places. History is so much more interesting than that. It is the stories of the men and women who made those places and events matter. It is the story of the private soldier as much as it is the story of the great general. It is the story of the farmer in the field as much as it is the story of the man in the Oval office. Join our newest Parthenon Podcast Network member, Chris Lowery, as he leads you on a dive deeper into the forgotten stories of our past, and into the details of the stories we thought we already knew.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, The Bridge on the River Kwai tells a fictionalized account of the building of part of the Burma-Siam railroad by Allied prisoners of war. Join Sean and James as they tell the fascinating “story behind the story” as well as discuss the film’s background and the relationship of the story told in the film to the real events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Born in Virginia, Desmond Doss was a devout Christian and a pacifist who wanted to serve in the war as a combat medic but refused to touch a weapon. After suffering much shame and ill-treatment from his fellow soldiers, Doss proved his heroism in several engagements, most notably in the Battle of Okinawa, in which he saved around 75 wounded American soldiers from being executed by the Japanese. In this episode, James and Sean discuss the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge, which tells the story of Doss’s life and service in the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The companion film to Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima narrates the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective. In this episode, you will join James and Sean as they walk the beaches of Iwo Jima and go deep into the caves and tunnels of Mt. Suribachi with the Japanese defenders as they await the American onslaught and struggle with the decision of whether to fight to the death or surrender at the risk of being hated (or worse) by their colleagues and their families back home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most iconic photographs of all time is the famous Joe Rosenthal photo of the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi in the southwest corner of Iwo Jima. In Flags of Our Fathers, director Clint Eastwood weaves together the story of the American invasion of Iwo Jima and the struggle to capture Suribachi with the subsequent tale of three of the flag raisers who were sent back to the States to raise money for the war. The movie, while inspiring, can be a bit hard to follow, but James and Sean will guide you through it and help you sort out fact from fiction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater for both the Japanese and the Americans. James and Sean will be discussing three movies about Iwo Jima, the first of which is the classic 1949 John Wayne action film Sands of Iwo Jima. Despite its title, Sands of Iwo Jima only devotes 30 minutes to the battle; the rest of the movie shows the Battle of Tarawa, as well as scenes of the Marines training and enjoying liberty. Is Sands of Iwo Jima accurate, or is it just patriotic Hollywood propaganda? James and Sean will let you know!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In this episode, James and Sean completely change gears, discussing the 1988 Japanese animated Studio Ghibli film Grave of the Fireflies, which tells the story of a young boy and his little sister who struggle to stay alive during the Allied firebombings of Japan that occurred in the last few months of the war. Grave of the Fireflies is a sad, hard-to-watch movie, but it is a must see for those who want to know what life was like for Japanese civilians in the final stages of World War II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early 1942, the US Marine Corps began recruiting young Navajo men to serve as “codetalkers” who would transmit orders via radio using a code based on the Navajo language. The code was inscrutable to the Japanese, who were never able to crack it. John Woo’s 2002 film Windtalkers tells a slightly fictionalized version of their story. As usual, James and Sean attempt to sort through the Hollywood embellishments to tell the history behind the movie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Based loosely on the 1955 novel of the same name, Run Silent, Run Deep tells the story of a submarine captain who disobeys orders in an attempt to get revenge against a Japanese destroyer that sank his previous command. In this episode, James and Sean share their thoughts about this exciting action film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all World War II American naval personnel saw combat. Many spent the entire war in non-combat roles, including serving on the thousands of supply ships that were essential to the war effort. The classic 1955 drama/comedy Mister Roberts tells the story of one such supply ship and its crew, which is led by an eccentric captain but inspired by the executive officer Mister Roberts, who wants more than anything else to fight. Join James and Sean as they discuss this sometimes funny, sometimes gut-wrenching, but always enjoyable film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Typhoons and other storms were a real danger for naval vessels during the Pacific War, and many ships were lost to them. The Caine Mutiny, based on the novel of the same name by Herman Wouk, tells the story of a tyrannical destroyer captain whose decision to sail right through a typhoon motivates his executive officer to relieve him of command, leading to a court martial. In this episode, James and Sean discuss this exciting film which is part war story and part courtroom drama.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a war, combatants often ponder the deep existential questions of life. These questions form the basis of Terence Malick’s 1998 war drama The Thin Red Line. On one level, The Thin Red Line is about a U. S. Army division’s attempt to take a hill on the island of Guadalcanal; however, the film also explores many age-old questions, including “How did evil enter the world?”, “Why are humans at war with nature?”, “Why do humans fight and kill each other?”, and “Given all the evil and suffering in the world, how can there be a loving creator?” Join James and Sean as they discuss this intellectually and emotionally deep film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 4, 1942, a Japanese naval task force launched an attack on the American naval and air base at Midway Island. The task force then encountered an American carrier fleet, leading to an epic naval battle that changed the course of the war in the Pacific. The 2019 action-war film Midway tells the story of the leadup to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. Is it historically accurate? Is it a quality film? In this episode, James and Sean answer these and other questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.