American History Hit
By History Hit
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.
Latest episode
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How The World Sees The US: The Art of Diplomacy
How did Egypt and Israel come to an agreement at Camp David in 1979? How did the USSR come to allow the operation of NATO troops in East Germany? Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has played a leading role in the United States' diplomatic negotiat… -
McCarthy & the Second Red Scare
Who was Joe McCarthy? How did this Republican Senator come to lead a nationwide campaign against communism? And how did he bring about his own downfall?For this episode, Don is joined by the authors of ‘Witch Hun… -
Japanese in America: Railroads, Internment Camps & Little Tokyo
When the US turned to Japan looking for workers in the late 19th Century, they probably never foresaw that one day soon they would imprison those who arrived, their successors, and their families, en masse in camps around America.&… -
President Woodrow Wilson: Progressive? Warmonger? Overrated?
The 20th Century is up and running and the next President in our series, Woodrow Wilson, is in for a challenge. Reconstruction is over, Europe is on the precipice of war, and women are campaigning for suffrage. So how does this two term pres… -
British Brides for American Tobacco: A Tudor Trade
In 1621 the Virginia Company of London put out a call for young, handsome and honestly educated women to become wives for the planters in its new colony in Jamestown. Hopeful husbands were supposed to pay for their English brides in best lea… -
Who Was The Richest President?
Which President was best with their money? Which was worst? And are Presidents responsible for paying for their food, staff and parties during their time in office?To find out all this and more, Don speaks to tax… -
Eisenhower: D-Day and the Birth of the American Superpower
In June 1944, the joint forces of the Allies began the liberation of continental Europe on D-Day. But was there tension within the ranks?Don speaks to Michel Paradis to find out how Eisenhower's leadership helped… -
President William Howard Taft: The Reluctant Politician?
Sandwiched between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson is our 26th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Did he have the confidence, belief and vision necessary to become a president? And why was he criticised for spending t… -
Lafayette: The Marquis and the American Revolution
Why did an aristocratic French man fight for American freedom? How influential was Lafayette? And what did he do on his return visit to the United States 200 years ago this year?Don is joined by Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the Americ… -
Kamala Harris: An Unprecedented Candidacy?
Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Boudicca, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel: what do these women have in common? They were all leaders of their nations, and they may - pending the choices of the electorate later this year - be joined in their…