

A Rebel’s Guide to Defeating the British Army | Dr. Alexander Burns
Jan 31, 2025
Dr. Alexander Burns, an Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University, dives into the intricacies of 18th-century warfare and General Washington’s tactics. He discusses the challenges of the British soldiers' loyalties, the dynamic tension between officers and enlisted men, and the role of guerrilla warfare in the Revolutionary War. Burns also explores the mindset of American troops, the evolution of military strategies, and how historical insights can inform modern warfare. Along the way, he critiques the state of higher education and its impact on understanding military history.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Intro
00:00 • 3min
The Challenges of Higher Education: Costs, Entitlement, and Grade Inflation
02:54 • 3min
Academic Shifts and Historical Perspectives
05:33 • 18min
Conflicted Allegiances: British Soldiers in the Revolutionary War
23:09 • 8min
Tactics and Triumph: Warfare in the 18th Century
31:30 • 15min
Struggles and Strategies of the Revolutionary War
46:45 • 16min
Paris: The Diplomatic Heart of Revolutionary Negotiations
01:02:31 • 2min
The American Military Reforms and the War of 1812
01:04:52 • 9min
Leadership in 18th Century Warfare
01:13:59 • 5min
The Evolution of Military Rank Structures
01:18:43 • 2min