American History Hit

The new Oppenheimer movie has everyone asking questions about the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 - were two bombs necessary? Would the war have ended without it? Was there an ulterior motive? Would the Americans have dropped a third if they had it?To answer some of the questions and more, Professor Paul Poast joined our sister podcast, Dan Snow's History Hit. Paul, from the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago, explains how the decision to drop the bombs was really made, what would have happened if they hadn't and reveals that the Manhattan Project was actually more about impressing Stalin than destroying Japan.Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribeYou can take part in our listener survey here.

Professor Frank Cogliano joins Don to discuss Thomas Jefferson's presidency and the challenges he faced. They explore Jefferson's contributions to American history, including his role as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and his initiatives to modernize the United States. The podcast also delves into the Barbary Wars, Jefferson's complex stance on a big Navy, and his revolutionary friendship with George Washington.

The podcast examines the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, discussing its devastating impact, the survival of Chinatown, the evolution of the fire department, class struggle for aid distribution, and living with the constant threat of earthquakes in the Bay Area.

Preservation Archaeologist Aaron Wright explores the rock art of the Hohokam and Patayan traditions in southwestern Arizona. The podcast discusses the significance of prehistoric rock imagery, controversies surrounding its dating, and the analytical techniques used to study and preserve these ancient artworks.

Despite her's being a household name, how much do we really know about Pocahontas? Where did she come from? How old was she? And what was her real relationship with the colonists?Don is joined for this episode by Camilla Townsend, a Historian of Early Native American and Latin American History at Rutgers University. Camilla is the author of 'Pocohontas and the Powhatan Dilemma' and, most recently, 'Indigenous Life After the Conquest: The De la Cruz Family Papers of Colonial Mexico'.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Siobhan Dale. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribeYou can take part in our listener survey here.

Christopher Young, Professor of History at Indiana University Northwest, joins the podcast to discuss President John Adams. They explore Adams' presidency, his efforts to navigate diplomatic crises with France, and his challenges in maintaining bipartisanship. The chapter also delves into the debate on federalism and the differing views of the American government under Adams. Don't miss the special discount code for listeners!

When it closed in 1973, the Texas Chicken Ranch was the oldest continually operating brothel in the United States. Why was this brothel able to survive for so long? Who were the women at work there? And where did it get its name?In this episode, Don explores the brothel behind the Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds musical with Jayme Blaschke, author of Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Siobhan Dale. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribeYou can take part in our listener survey here.

On August 10 1680, the Pueblo people began the most successful uprising against colonial power in North America.For 11 days, Spanish colonisers were driven out, taken prisoner or killed, their horses were stolen and Christian churches were burnt to the ground. They did not manage to return for the following 12 years. The Pueblo people rebuilt their society and ensured the survival of their traditions, languages and religions.Matt Liebmann joins Don today to discuss the revolt and to share some of his findings from archaeological research in New Mexico.Matt is Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University, he has conducted collaborative research with the Pueblo of Jemez since 2001.Edited and produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribeYou can take part in our listener survey here.

What does a document written in 1215 in England have to do with the United States? The Magna Carta has supposedly influenced foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.In this episode, Don is joined by Eleanor Janega, the new co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval. Together, they explore the influence of this medieval document on the United States.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Joseph Knight. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribeYou can take part in our listener survey here.

In this episode, Patrick Spero joins to explore George Washington's time as the first President. Covering topics like his ascent to the presidency, the development of the new capital, the Proclamation of Neutrality, and the Whisky Rebellion, it provides the ultimate introduction to Washington's presidential journey. It also discusses his complex relationship with slavery, his neutral stance on the French Revolution, and how his perception evolved from a god-like figure to a flawed human.