Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today. We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath Central Park. From pre-colonial America to independence, slavery to civil rights, the gold rush to the space race, join Don as he speaks to leading experts to delve into America’s past. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Brought to you by History Hit, the award-winning podcast network and world’s best history channel on demand, featuring shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors and Betwixt the Sheets.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY - sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.
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Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 4 days 9 hours 46 minutes
The Watergate Scandal
Wiretapping, White House tapes and the possibility of impeachment. On June 17, 1972, a break-in at the Watergate Hotel triggered a chain of events ending with the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.
From the burglary to the surprising redactions from the Nixon tapes, Kathryn Brownell joins Don to explore the story. Kathryn is an Associate Professor at Purdue University and author of '24/7 Politics: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America from Watergate to Fox News'...
episode 138: President Millard Fillmore: The Most Handsome President?
How did a president lose his entire cabinet so soon after taking office? What was his role in the Westward expansion of the United States? And where did the name Millard come from?
From teaching himself to read to becoming President of the United States, today we are being introduced to the 13th President of the United States, Millard Fillmore...
episode 137: The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.
Who introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to activism? Why is the influence of mothers so often understated? And did you know about the other King assassination?
In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life and legacy of Alberta Christine Williams King, a remarkable activist in her own right.
From her upbringing in Atlanta to her pivotal role in shaping MLK Jr.'s values and beliefs, Alberta's story is one of resilience, determination and tragedy...
episode 136: The Election That Changed Politics: 1968
Chaos, collusion and the Chennault Affair. What made the election of 1968 so unusual?
Luke Nichter joins Don to talk about the election race that made Richard Nixon president. With political intrigue, baptist ministers, secret messages and boycotts, this contest paved the way for the elections we see today.
Luke is the author of 'The Year That Broke Politics: Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968' and Professor of History at Chapman University...
episode 135: President Zachary Taylor
Once the most popular man in America, hero of the Mexican-American war Zachary Taylor is our twelfth President and the subject of this episode.
To find out what Taylor managed to achieve in his 16 months in office, and how his presidency was marred with debates over the spread of enslavement across the newly won West, Don speaks to Cecily Zander from Texas Woman's University.
Produced by Freddy Chick and Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan...
episode 134: The Tet Offensive: Turning Point of the Vietnam War?
January, 1968. Fighting in Vietnam has been ongoing since the 1950s. Ho Chi Minh and the leaders of the communist forces in Hanoi have concocted a strategy for a decisive victory to end this conflict of attrition.
What happened in the Tet Offensive? Who won? And why was it such a massive turning point for the Americans in Vietnam. We find out with Mark Atwood Lawrence, Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin...
episode 133: The Tudors & the American West Coast
In the summer of 1579, Francis Drake had to land in a ‘fair and good bay’ on the western coast of the New World when his ship - The Golden Hind - needed repairs. A sign was put up, naming it Nova Albion (‘New England’) for Queen Elizabeth I. But the question of exactly where Drake landed has continued to vex historians to this day...
episode 132: Prohibition
On 17 January 1920, the 18th Amendment came into effect in the United States. It made the manufacture, sale and transportation of 'intoxicating liquor' illegal.
Sarah Churchwell is BACK to explore the realities of the roaring twenties with Don. Why was alcohol banned? How did prohibition become federal law? And why would the US government have poisoned its citizens?
Produced by Freddy Chick and Sophie Gee. Edited by Anisha Deva. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long...
episode 131: The Kennedy Curse
What was it about the Kennedys that attracted so much tragedy, that many believed them to be cursed?
From plane disasters in World War 2, to drug overdoses and of course, assassinations - it has to be said, they had their fair share...
episode 130: President James K. Polk: Lies, Warmongering & the Myth of Success
Is this the only president to have achieved all of their campaign promises? James K. Polk, the 11th Commander-in-Chief successfully led the nation through ambitious expansion during his single term.
Don is joined for this episode by Professor Amy Greenberg to find out about Polk's presidency and successes, his warmongering, his lies and his workaholic tendencies. They also discuss his wife, Sarah, and her political influence...