Key Battles of American History

History

Latest episode

394 episodes

GW7: The War Expands (1915)
1/21/2026 | 51 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James explore how World War I spread beyond the Western Front into a truly global conflict. They trace massive campaigns across Eastern Europe, where Germany and Austria-Hungary drove deep into Russian territory, and in the West, where repeated Allied offensives in Artois, Champagne, and Ypres failed to break the stalemate. The episode also covers the fall of Serbia, the opening of the Salonika Front, Italy’s entry into the war, and the British advance up the Tigris that led to the siege of Kut-al-Amara. By the end of 1915, millions were dead or displaced, and it had become clear that the war would be long, brutal, and worldwide in scale.
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1917 (ENCORE)
1/17/2026 | 1h 17 mins.
James and Sean discuss the award-winning 2019 film 1917, in which two British soldiers are sent on a dangerous mission to save another unit from disaster.
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GW6: Life in the Trenches
1/14/2026 | 48 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James dive deep into the gritty realities of trench warfare on the Western Front. They explore the evolution of trench design, the brutal conditions soldiers endured — from mud, vermin, and disease to constant shellfire and psychological trauma — and the routines that defined daily life. The episode also highlights the technological shifts that favored defense, the futility of traditional attacks, and the emergence of informal truces like the Christmas Truce of 1914.
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They Shall Not Grow Old (ENCORE)
1/10/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
James and Sean discuss the outstanding 2018 Peter Jackson documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, which combines interviews with British World War I veterans with colorized and slowed-down footage from the war.
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GW5: The Common Soldier
1/07/2026 | 59 mins.
In this episode, Sean and James step away from battles and politics to focus on the daily lives of the ordinary men who fought in World War I. They explore what soldiers from the major powers wore, ate, and carried into battle, as well as the terrifying wounds and diseases that claimed millions of lives. The episode traces dramatic advances in medical care, from battlefield triage and antiseptic surgery to the first blood transfusions and reconstructive surgery. It also delves into the psychological toll of trench warfare, the spread of illnesses like trench fever and influenza, and the grim realities of capture and imprisonment. Through it all, listeners gain a vivid sense of the endurance, suffering, and humanity of the common soldier.
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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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