The American History Podcast

Send us a textToday's episode is a bonus one I did for Patreon members WAY back in 2020. I thought it had some relevance to today so here it is. Enjoy. Support the show

Send us a textThis bonus episode was originally made available way back in 2021 to Patreon members and now it is available for you. EnjoySupport the show

Send us a textIt was January 16, 1991. Your humble host was an undergraduate in college, and like others in the dorms, watching events unfold live on TV. US media had begun broadcasting the start of the air campaign to “free Kuwait” from the clutches of the evil Saddam Hussein. Looking back on these events 3 decades later, I have to admit, it made for compelling, if disgusting, television. Why do I say disgusting? People were dying in front of our very eyes, and we were treating it like it was just some video game. But, at the age of 20, I was enthralled by all of this. And, embarrassingly enough now, I was for it.But how did the US get to that point? If you learn nothing else from this episode, you should come to realize that American foreign policy, at least when it comes to the Middle east over the last few decades, was characterized by incoherence and confusion. And believe it or not, this bouncing back and forth started with, of all presidents Ronald Reagan. You might find that hard to believe, as even his detractors tend to see him as consistent. Since Reagan, the US has been neither consistent nor has it been guided, when it comes to Iraq and the surrounding area, by shortsighted opportunism. However, he isn’t the only guilty president. Carter, as we shall see, also bears some responsibility for the mess that is American policy in the Middle East.Before we go forward, let’s discuss what was the purpose of all of this. Guided by opportunism, the purpose of our policy in the Middle East was twofold. First, it was to exercise dominion over the core of the Islamic World. But there was more. It was also about cheap oil and gas. In 1970, the year I was born, it was $.36 (or about $1.70 in 2015 dollars). By 1980 it was $1.18 or 2.95 in 2015 dollars. By today’s standard that doesn’t seem too awful, but in 1980, when you are a somewhat unpopular president, and you are facing reelection? That would not do. In fact, by 1984, in real dollars, the price of gas had decreased from $2.95/gal (in 2015 dollars) to $2.23/gallon. Plus, unemployment in the US, as well as inflation had declined. Inflation was 12.5% in 1980, but by 1983 it was down to less than 4%. Needless to say, the last thing Carter wanted in 1980 was increasing fuel costs.Support the show

Send us a textToday we have a treat! Author Stuart A. Reid is here to talk about his just released book: "The Lumumba Plot" which is a fantastic Cold War era book .  Just click the title and you can order your copy via Amazon. Support the show

This podcast episode explores the conflict between nationalists and communists in China during WWII, General Chang's role in assisting the Americans and British, General Joe Vinegar Stilwell's tough demeanor and complex situation in China, Mao's efforts to build a disciplined party, and the plight of foreign nationals in occupied areas of China.

Send us a textToday we have the last episode until September. This book is "Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution." It's the perfect book for this time of year, plus it's quite timely. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3rasdKB Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Send us a textWelcome back to the main narrative. Today we continue our look at China in WWII. Support the show

Send us a textToday we have an interview with Dr. Katherine C. Mooney. She is a professor at Florida St. University and the author of the fantastic new book, Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey. Get your copy of this fantastic new book here.  Check out the Luxurious bastard and all of the fantastic products he has here (use coupon code American10 for 10% off each and every order!)Support the show

Send us a textWe have a special treat today. Historian Craig Nelson has a new book coming out on May 23. V is for Victory: Franklin Roosevelt's American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II. I think this is a great book for listeners who are fans of WWII (or even if your aren't). I don't agree with everything the author states (his take on FDR's New Deal is one), but overall the book is well written and quite enjoyable.Follow the link to have your copy delivered via Amazon and help support the show. https://amzn.to/3pqwxELSupport the show

Send us a textLast episode we spent our time looking at the final aspect of Guadalcanal and that was the naval battles that took place in November 1942. It’s been a while since we discussed China, but I don’t want us to forget that aspect of the war, so we will spend several episodes talking about what was the Second Sino Japanese War. Now before I confuse anyone, let me remind you that yes, we did two episode on that conflict this season: episode 5 and 9. However, we left off with December 1941. So what’s been going on since then? I think it’s time we found out!Support the show