America at War

Join us for a new podcast. Explore the currents of American military history from the very beginning to the present. Future episodes will cover more than battles and leaders but the ideas that govern our collective past.

Welcome to the first episode of America at War. This episode provides a very broad overview of the importance of understanding the roots of our military institutions and some of the themes that we will encounter on our journey. Have a question, comment, or compliment? Contact us at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. You can also leave comments and your questions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/americaatwarpodcast/. Thanks for listening!

Establishing the English colony at Jamestown is where our story begins. Largely unprepared to build a sustainable colony and fearful of Spanish retaliation against the colony, the first decades of the settlement was beset with challenges. The Spanish threat never materialized, but conflicts with the local native populations did, establishing many of the patterns of warfare and institutions that govern American military history. Have a question, comment, or compliment? Contact us at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. You can also leave comments and your questions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/americaatwarpodcast/. Thanks for listening!

In this episode we shift our story north to Massachusetts Bay and New England. Settled ten years after Jamestown, the establishment of Plymouth and other settlements in New England triggered some of the bloodiest conflicts in the colonial era. Have a question, comment, or compliment? Contact us at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. You can also leave comments and your questions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/americaatwarpodcast/. Thanks for listening!  

One of the enduring traditions of our military past is the importance of militia. Without the benefit of professional soldiers, the first settlers depended on themselves to meet the security needs of the settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts. These institutions established organizations and traditions that are still with us today.  Have a question, comment, or compliment? Contact us at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. You can also leave comments and your questions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/americaatwarpodcast/. Thanks for listening!

As we move into the seventeenth century, North America became a battleground for the Empire. England and France battled for hegemony in North America using militia and, for the first time, professional forces from the continent. Join us!

We move deeper into the eighteenth century with the next major conflict between France, England, and Spain. Known as Queen Anne's War in North America, the roots of the conflict deal with issues on the continent related to who would occupy the Spanish throne. In the English colonies, many of the issues from the previous war remained unresolved and would fuel violence in New England and in the south. In spite of some success, after several failed expeditions into the heartland of New France, Canada survived. Join us!

As English colonies spread south, pressures over land and exploiting local Indian peoples as slaves, built up resentments and the desire to strike back. Hoping to put a stop to settlement, war broke out in the Carolinas. The destructive conflict upset colonial government in the Carolinas but diminished the Tuscarora and Yamasee power bases, allowing settlements to move west. Please join us!

Our story continues with another chapter in the imperial wars of the eighteenth century. This episode takes our story south to the Florida Peninsula. British forces attempt to take the center of Spanish power in Florida, St. Augustine, and are rebuffed yet again. Please join us! You can find the podcast on ITunes. We have a Facebook page - American At War Podcast, where we can keep the conversation going. If you would to e-mail me with your questions, comments, and concerns, drop a line at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

As we reach the middle of the eighteenth century, France and Great Britain are at it again! Militia and volunteers from New England, in one of their greatest feats of arms, captured the great French fortress at Louisbourg. While the victory was abrogated with the peace treaty between Britain and France, it set the stage for the greatest conflict that colonies had ever seen - the Seven Years War. If you enjoy this podcast, write or review of help offset the costs. You can go to the podcast website and Facebook page for more information - www.amercaatwarpodcast.com.

We have made it to the most pivotal event of the eighteenth century in the North American colonies of France and Great Britain: The Seven Years War or The French and Indian War. What would start as a localized conflict, would shatter the tenuous peace between the two great powers. The long war would finally decide which European power would control what would become the United States. Moreover, the results of this war would create the conditions that ultimately lead to the American Revolution. If you like this podcast, please leave a review on ITunes or donate to help offset the costs of this free podcast. Please go to the podcasts Facebook Page or website (americaatwarpodcast.com) for more information. Enjoy the episode!

George Washington had a mission - convince the French to stay out of the Ohio River Valley. Unfortunately, after clashing with a French patrol, he was blamed for the killing of a French officer. The French struck back, trapping Washington's command in a small fort called Necessity. Forced to surrender, he was able to return to Virginia with his reputation battered but intact. Regardless, the event triggered the Seven Years War. Join us on the podcast's facebook page. If you would like to send an e-mail go to americawarpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode we follow the trials and tribulations of General Edward Braddock. After George Washington's debacle at Fort Necessity, King George II and his cabinet sent two regiments of British soldiers to North America to boot the French out of their fort. Unfortunately, General Braddock met his match just short of his objective - the forks of the Ohio and it cost him his life. Join us in our continuing exploration of American Military History. For more information, visit the podcast website at Americaatwar.com. Thanks for listening!    

Episode number thirteen is up! Time didn't stand still for mourning the losses incurred by Edward Braddock in the Ohio. Campaigning continued as new leaders and more troops came from Great Britain. In spite of the grand plans of British Generals and colonial elites, 1756-1757 was met with more frustrations as the French continued to hold the upper hand. Join us in exploring the nadir of British opportunities in North America as we continue our series on the Seven Years War. Take a look at the podcast's facebook page to see what's going on in the podcast.   

1758 was a special year. After nearly three years of misfortune and less than spectacular results, the British marked the year with a victory and a defeat. The great French fortress at Louisbourg fell to the British, but their assault of Fort Carillon met with disaster. Join us in our continuing discussion of the Seven Years War. If you would like more information, please join the discussion on Facebook or drop a line at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

1758 and 1759, relatively speaking, was the height of British success. Fort Duquense had finally fallen to the British, freeing the Ohio Valley from the French. With the fall of Fortress Louisbourg, the British continued had an open pathway to the heart of French Canada, resulting in the campaign to capture the city of Quebec. While the war would continue, the North American possessions of France were slipping from their hands. If you like this podcast, review it on ITunes or join the discussion on the America at War Facebook page. Got a question, drop us a line at americawarpodcast@gmail.com.  Thanks for listening!

1763 was a pivotal year, the end of one period of our history and the beginning of another. The capture of Montreal and the subsequent Treaty of Paris in 1763, brought the bloodiest war in colonial history to an end. Subsequent clashes with native peoples on the frontier would result in the Empire closing the west to settlement. These two events would sow the seeds for the next chapter in our nation's history, the American Revolution. If you like this podcast, please give us a review on ITunes. If you would like to drop a line, our e-mail address is americawarpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

We have finally arrived at the American Revolution. The origins are complicated, but seem to come down to one question - who had the right to rule? The British wanted to govern the Empire with clarity and efficiency. The colonists wanted to continue to have a voice in how they governed their lands. Both were right, but could not come to a consensus on how to share power. Grumbling led to protests, protests led to violence. Join us as we explore the origins of this important event.  Follow us on facebook at America at War or drop us a line at Americawarpodcast@gmail.com

In the spring of 1775, tensions between the British and Colonists had risen to a fever pitch. As the inhabitants of Boston grew restive over British restrictions, General Thomas Gage was left with few choices. While not wanting to spark an insurrection, he chose to remove munitions that could be used against the British soldiers. On a raid to Concord, they were met by American militia on the village green of Lexington. Shots were fired. An insurrection had begun. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, visit the podcast's page on facebook or send us an e-mail at americawarpodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy!

We begin where we left off with the previous episode - the British march to Lexington and Concord. After defeating the militia on the village green of Lexington, the British continued their march to Concord. Failing to find a great deal of munitions, the militia struck back. As the British began their retreat back to Boston, their column was met with constant sniping from local militia all the way back to the city. News spread quickly through the colonies, galvanizing a movement toward revolution. With the creation of the Continental Army and the appointment of George Washington as its leader, war had begun. If you like this episode, please give the podcast a review on Itunes. If you have questions, drop us a line at americawarpodcast@gmail.com or pay us a visit on Facebook. Thanks for listening!