logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
35m 6s

America Prepares for War: FDR & WW2

History Hit
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Sep 3
The People's Founding Father
Signatory of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, James Wilson was a sitting Supreme Court justice when he died. So why is he missing from popular history?From inspiring the phrase 'we the people' to starting the ball rolling on the Electoral College, Jesse ... Show More
40m 34s
Aug 31
The Truth About the Louisiana Purchase
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 ... Show More
43m 16s
Aug 27
Did Lee's Surrender End the Civil War?
When and where did the Civil War end? Was it really over when Lee surrendered at Appomattox?Don is joined for this episode by Caroline E. Janney, Professor at the University of Virginia and author of 'Ends of War: The Unfinished Fight of Lee’s Army after Appomattox'.Listen to hea ... Show More
40m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
189: World War II in Europe & the American Response (1941): Production & Preparation
"At long last, Mr. President.”—Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill This is the story of the second year of WWII and the United States’ response. As the war enters its second full year, things are looking dire for Britain: Germany has forced France into submission, the Blitz is i ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 2024
Awakening the Spirit of America with Paul Sparrow
If you are interested in the 1930s and 1940s, or have wondered how the rapid growth of authoritarianism in today’s political climate mirrors that of WWII, this is an episode for you. Sharon McMahon is joined by author Paul Sparrow to discuss his new book, Awakening the Spirit of ... Show More
38m 11s
Apr 2023
WW2 the big questions: the build up
In the first episode of our podcast series The Big Questions of the Second World War, historian and broadcaster Laurence Rees explains some of the short and long term causes of the global conflict – from the legacy of the Treaty of Versailles to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi pa ... Show More
29 m
Dec 2023
USA: We Have Ways - How To Win A War
How does a Sherman tank get from the US to a battlefield in Western Europe, and who decides how many get sent? James Holland and John McManus get deep into the logistics of the Second World War and how it gave the Allies the edge in the 1944. A Goalhanger Production Produced by J ... Show More
46m 9s
Jan 2024
USA - We Have Ways: Supply and Demand and the Global War Machine
What was more significant for America in the 20th century - the crushing of Nazism in Europe, or their multiple campaigns for democracy across Asia? Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus answer this, plus explore the delicate balance of supply and demand achieved during the S ... Show More
45m 4s
Jun 2024
Dwight D Eisenhower: life of the week
Few men did more to shape the course of the 20th century than Dwight D Eisenhower. Not only did 'Ike' mastermind the Allied invasion of western Europe on D-Day, but he also went on to become president of the United States as it cemented its status as the world's most powerful nat ... Show More
40m 18s
Oct 2022
247. Monty & Patton vs. the Nazis
Do commanders matter? Were the British generals effective or "foppish"? How did the Allies rebound from huge losses such as the Battle of Dunkirk to victories like Alamein and D-Day? Tom and Dominic are joined by Al Murray to discuss all this and more, following the release of Al ... Show More
57m 30s
Apr 2021
The Brink of World War III
April 19, 1951. General Douglas MacArthur's plane touches down in DC just after midnight. He’s coming home from fighting the Korean War. Over twelve thousand people are there to greet this person who the American people consider to be a national war hero. It’s quite the welcome f ... Show More
30m 12s
Jun 2015
USA: Isolationism
How did WW1 change America's place in the world? Jonathan Dimbleby presents a public debate from the US Library of Congress in Washington 
50m 1s
May 2025
257. Churchill, FDR, & Mind Games at Yalta (Ep 2)
How did FDR become the mediator between Stalin and Churchill at the 1945 conference? Why did Churchill call Yalta the “Hades Riviera”? What was Mussolini’s rude nickname for FDR? Anita and William dive into the backstories of Churchill and FDR ahead of their arrival in Yalta, and ... Show More
41m 37s