Who was responsible for the British losing America?George Washington? 'Gentleman Johnny' Burgoyne? Lord Howe? Clinton? Or someone else entirely?We discuss Britain's failures during the American War of Independence, whether Washington counts as British in the context of this debate, why egos matter in war, and whether this was a war that could never have been won by the British.https://linktr.ee/napwarspodBritish history, Military history, American History, War of Independence, American Revolution, George Washington
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1:15:45
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1:15:45
Napoleon’s Armies of the Confederation of the Rhine
In this episode, expert John H. Gill unpacks the story of Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine armies. Created in 1806 as a new pact of German client states, the Confederation fielded some 90,000 soldiers by 1813. Gill asks if these men were patriotic allies or grumbling conscripts? He reveals how heavy recruitment and French domination stoked national resentment and even tiny principalities like Liechtenstein managed to send dozens of troops.Buckle up for frontline tales: from Württembergers charging at Bautzen to Westphalian infantry collapsing in routs. We also break down the fateful 1813 turn: many German battalions fought on for Napoleon up to Leipzig, while others (notably the Saxon corps) infamously switched sides. How are these underdog battalions remembered, or indeed forgotten today? Tune in to find out.John H. Gill's work Pen and Sword Books: Titles by John H Gill
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1:12:32
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1:12:32
Napoleon's Greatest Marshal: The Second Semi-final
Who was Napoleon's Greatest Marshal? We move one step closer to settling this question as Ney, Davout, Marmont, Murat, Saint Cyr and Suchet battle it out for public acclaim.Brace yourself for a shock as we delve into these titans of the French Army's greatest moments, their military record, and their wider legacy.Michel Ney, the “Bravest of the Brave,” and his heroic last stand.Louis-Nicolas Davout, the Iron Marshal—Napoleon’s most disciplined and undefeated commander.Joachim Murat, the flamboyant cavalry genius who rose from stable boy to King of Naples.Louis-Gabriel Suchet, the unsung strategist who mastered counterinsurgency in Spain.Saint-Cyr, the intellectual-turned-general with a mind for art as much as arms.Auguste de Marmont, the controversial figure whose betrayal still divides historians.🎧 Perfect for fans of: military history, European wars, biography podcasts, strategic analysis, and anyone captivated by the epic saga of Napoleon Bonaparte and his generals.📅 New episodes every week. Subscribe now and step into the smoke and steel of the Napoleonic era.Only THREE made it to the final vote. Have a listen and then vote for the one you think should make it through to the grand final, by commenting below.Don't complain if you didn't vote, and your favourite doesn't make it though!Follow us on social media/join our mailing list: https://linktr.ee/napwarspodSupport out work at:https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod
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2:12:14
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2:12:14
The Crisis of the Battle of Waterloo: Live
To mark the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, we held a livestream of the crisis moment of the battle. We talk about Napoleon Bonaparte's last desperate role of the dice, the French forces involved, the Battle of Quatre Bras and Ligny, and the efforts of Dutch, Belgian, Hanoverian, Brunswick, Prussian and, yes, British troops involved.In all we raised £600 for the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity. You too can support this great cause by going to www.nrwgc.com/donate.Available as a video cast on Spotify.Support the podcast as https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod
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3:31:50
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3:31:50
President Adams' America: Sedition, Aliens and Quasi War
1797 was a moment of escalating international tensions and deepening domestic divisions. For eight years prior, Adams had served at the heart of George Washington’s administration, but nothing could fully prepare him for what would await him in his own presidency: the XYZ Affair, the Quasi War with France and the political firestorm unleashed by the Alien and Sedition Acts. As the young republic struggled to define itself, Adams faced enormous challenges in keeping the country out of full-scale war while also navigating the bitter rivalry between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.We explore how the Quasi War shaped American foreign policy and fed into the fiercely partisan atmosphere of the late 1790s. How did Adams’ decisions - including his support for peace over party - alienate allies within his own Federalist camp? Why did the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended as national security measures, backfire so dramatically and fuel accusations of authoritarianism? And what really caused the bruising election of 1800, often dubbed America’s first true test of peaceful political transition?We’ll also reflect on the enduring impact of Adams’ presidency. How did his term shape the future of the American presidency? What can we learn from his failures and quiet victories? And how does his ambivalent performance as president stack up?In this episode, Sara Georgini returns to deep dive into the presidency of John Adams, America’s often-overlooked second president.Find Sara on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarageorgini.bsky.socialCheck out Sara's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/household-gods-9780197647219?cc=gb&lang=en&Explore the Adams Papers Digital Edition: https://www.masshist.org/publications/adams-papers/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspodAccess our links: https://linktr.ee/napwarspod
Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What was his legacy on history? And why, more than 200 years later, does the conflict which he gave his name to still matter?
Join award-winning Napoleonic historians Dr Zack White, Dr Luke Reynolds, Liam Telfer and Josh Redden as they host Europe's leading show devoted to the American War of Independence, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
From interviews with leading researchers, to deep dive debates on some of the big questions, this show is ideal for those who want to start building their knowledge deepen their understanding of the period.