The Truth About the Louisiana Purchase

The Truth About the Louisiana Purchase

Author: History Hit August 31, 2026 Duration: 43:16

We're all taught in school about the Louisiana Purchase, supposedly the greatest bargain in American history. Napoleon's deal with the Americans is widely remembered as a triumph for the United States… but is this history really as simple as we’re often taught?


Our guest today is historian Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He is the author of award winning books including ‘The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History’ and, most recently, ‘The Louisiana Purchase: The Grand Bargain and the Making of America’.


Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

American History Hit
Podcast Episodes
What Made America: The Constitution & The Franklins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:21
We've asked some of our favorite historians for their number one moment from these 250 years of the United States' History. For this episode, we're honored to welcome Jill Lepore back to the show.How do the life and lett…
Inside a Serial Killer's 'Murder Castle' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
He's one of the most famous serial killers in American history... but how much of H.H Holmes' gruesome crimes were sensationalised by the press at the time?Our guest today is Dr. Harold Schechter, professor at Queen’s Co…
How 'New Amsterdam' Became 'New York' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
Have you ever wondered how Harlem got its name? There are countless remnants of the Dutch colony on Manhattan island. But when did it end? And why?Don is joined by best selling author Russell Shorto to discuss the Britis…
Worst Siege of the Civil War: Vicksburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
The Siege of Vicksburg was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War. Should the Union capture the stronghold, the South's hold on the Mississippi would be broken forever... But what about the lives of those trapped insid…
When Was the Revolutionary War Won? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
In 1775, revolutionaries went to war against the British. Seeking independence from colonial ties, they fought more than 150 battles over eight years.A relatively new nation of just 2.5 million people facing off against…
America's War Against Pirates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Just twenty years after independence, the United States fought a lesser-known war against the Barbary States of North Africa... some use the term 'Corsairs', others referred to them as 'Pirates'. But why was America ther…
King Phillip's War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
This is one of the deadliest conflicts in North American History. But who was King Philip? What started the war? And how did it change history?Don is joined by Professor David Silverman from George Washington University…
Annexation of Alaska [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:24
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in a deal that reshaped the map of North America... but what did that moment mean for the people already living there? In this episode, we explore Alaska before Eur…
The Quaker Who Put Penn in Pennsylvania [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:59
From being locked up in the Tower of London to founding the 5th most populous state in the country, and the city at the heart of the Revolution, today we are charting the unlikely rise of William Penn and the founding on…
Stonewall Jackson's Last Battle: Chancellorsville [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:02
It was Robert E. Lee's greatest strategic triumph but it came at a heavy cost - the loss of his talismanic leader and friend Stonewall Jackson among thousands of Confederate casualties. Guiding Don Wildman through what h…