25 episodes

The Civil War was the most important event in American history. That's because it decided what kind of nation America would be and whether or not the promise of universal liberty would be fulfilled. And what decided the outcome of the Civil War was its battles.

Hosted by history professors James Early and Scott Rank, this podcast explores the ten most important battles in the Civil War. It features every major conflict, from the initial shots fired at the Battle of First Bull Run to the end of the war at Appomattox Court House. Key battles include Shiloh, the Seven Days Battle, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Chickamauga & Chattanooga, and the Overland Campaign. James and Scott explore additional topics such as emancipation, the naval wars of the Civil War, and weapons technology. Plus they get deep into the biographical backgrounds of the Union and Confederate generals (Grant, Sherman, McClellan, Thomas, Lee, Jackson, Beauregard, and Longstreet).

Key Battles of the Civil War Parthenon

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.3 • 18 Ratings

The Civil War was the most important event in American history. That's because it decided what kind of nation America would be and whether or not the promise of universal liberty would be fulfilled. And what decided the outcome of the Civil War was its battles.

Hosted by history professors James Early and Scott Rank, this podcast explores the ten most important battles in the Civil War. It features every major conflict, from the initial shots fired at the Battle of First Bull Run to the end of the war at Appomattox Court House. Key battles include Shiloh, the Seven Days Battle, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Chickamauga & Chattanooga, and the Overland Campaign. James and Scott explore additional topics such as emancipation, the naval wars of the Civil War, and weapons technology. Plus they get deep into the biographical backgrounds of the Union and Confederate generals (Grant, Sherman, McClellan, Thomas, Lee, Jackson, Beauregard, and Longstreet).

    Introducing James Early's New Podcast "Key Battles of American History"

    Introducing James Early's New Podcast "Key Battles of American History"

    Did you enjoy this series? Then you'll love James Early's new show "Key Battles of American History." Check it out on the podcast player of your choice or go to keybattlesofamericanhistory.com. Listen here to a snippet of his episode where he and a...

    • 21 min
    Episode 22: How the Civil War Lives on Today

    Episode 22: How the Civil War Lives on Today

    In this very final episode, James and Scott discuss the lasting effects of the Civil War and why it is the single most important event in the history of the United States. The Revolutionary War may have answered the question of whether America would...

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Episode 21: What Became of the Men Who Wore the Blue and the Grey

    Episode 21: What Became of the Men Who Wore the Blue and the Grey

    In this epilogue episode James and Scott talk about the Union and Confederate generals whom we've gotten to know so well after the war finished. They became presidents, professors, bankrupt businessmen, assassination victims, and everything in...

    • 53 min
    Episode 20: The Naval War

    Episode 20: The Naval War

    The Civil War is now finished but our series is not. Scott and James discuss an aspect of the Civil War that for the most part didn’t tie into our main discussion: the naval war. Learn how battles occurred on American Rivers, gulfs, shorelines, and...

    • 47 min
    Episode 19: African Americans in Uniform

    Episode 19: African Americans in Uniform

    As the Civil War came to an end, a big question remained for the North and eventually the reunited United States. What would become of its African-American residents? Would they be given full legal rights or only partial? This question was largely...

    • 52 min
    Episode 18: The Overland Campaign

    Episode 18: The Overland Campaign

    It's now 1864. Lincoln is re-elected, and Sherman’s March to the Sea obliterated the Confederacy’s industrial base. But work remains for General Grant. He must contend with his greatest foe, Robert E. Lee. Now that Grant was directing the operations...

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

Dreski77 ,

Great podcast for any new (or seasoned) CW enthusiast

I’m now on my second pass (Some episodes I’ve listened to 3-4 times) through the whole series. Always come back whenever I watch or listen to anything related to battles. Also a great point of reference when listening to audiobooks. I’m currently pairing this with my listening of Grant’s memoirs.
Awesome job

Duncan Plaunt ,

Great work

Loved it, guys! Thank you. On to Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

Hey sdfefecdv ,

Very good podcast. Very enjoyable.

Very educational. Enjoyed it immensely.

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