American History Hit

American History Hit

Author: History Hit Language: English Episodes: 100
Dive into the stories that shaped a nation with American History Hit. Hosted by Don Wildman, this podcast from History Hit moves beyond textbook dates to explore the pivotal moments and forgotten figures that define the American experience. Each episode is a journey, whether it's into the tense world of wartime codebreakers intercepting Japanese plans or the complex political landscape where figures like Walt Disney leveled serious accusations. You'll encounter the perspectives of leaders like Chief Powhatan on the eve of conflict and dig into the layered past of landmarks like Central Park. The narrative stretches from pre-colonial times through the forming of the modern United States, connecting historical dots to contemporary understanding. By focusing on specific, often surprising events, this series provides a grounded and compelling look at how the past actively informs the present. Tune in for a thoughtful and detailed exploration of history, where every story adds depth to the ongoing American story.
Episodes
The Truth about the Two-Term Limit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
The two-term limit, the idea that the President of the United States may not seek a third term, has a long history. Originating from a decision made by George Washington, it quickly became an established political norm i…
America's Most Innovative General [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:43
New weapons, new opponents, new technology - as warfare evolves, armies need generals able to evolve with it. In this episode, Don is joined by Cecily Zander to discuss the most innovative generals in American History. W…
How Revolutionary was the Declaration of Independence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:41
In July 1776, a group of men in Philadelphia committed an unthinkable act: they challenged one of the most powerful empires in the world by signing what became known as the American Declaration of Independence.What had h…
America's Bloodiest General [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:00
Ruthless tactics. Extreme violence. The loss of huge numbers of their own troops. The deaths of the most opposing troops. What makes a general 'bloody'? And who fits that description best?In this first of four episodes o…
How Dangerous Was The Oregon Trail? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
From the 1830s until the arrival of the transcontinental railroad, hundreds of thousands of people packed their possessions into wagons and headed west, seeking land and opportunity. Following in the footsteps of Native…
How Much Power Does the President Have? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:04
Ever since independence, a question has hovered over the government of the United States. How much power should the President have? Not too much, lest they become a monarch. But not too little, they are elected to do a j…
How Did Fossils Change America? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
When fossils were discovered in the US during the 19th Century, it altered American understandings of science, religion, race and more. So what was the Hadrosaurus Foulkii, and why did it have such an enormous effect?Car…
Lincoln: The First Presidential Assassination [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
Today we're delving into the archives and revisiting Don and Michael Kauffman's conversation on the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln...On the evening of 14th April, 1865, the Union was celebrating victory in the civil wa…
The Boston Tea Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
Today we're delving into our back catalogue and revisiting the topic of the Boston Tea Party...On December 16th 1773, Bostonian colonists took a stand against the British Crown in the Boston Tea Party.In this episode, we…
Life on a Mississippi Steamboat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:20
It's one of the most iconic symbols of early Americana; it conjures up images of bustling saloon bars and Mark Twain. But as glamorous as they may seem, there's a dark side the history of the Steamboats of the Mississipp…