Western Civ

Jamestown was not the only English colony. Enter stage left: the Pilgrims. (Well, really Separatists but you get the point...)Western Civ Podcast 2.0

The English at Jamestown finally find a savior. It just turns out that savior is tobacco...Western Civ Podcast 2.0

Jamestown survives as James Smith guides the colony. Meanwhile, in London, new plans are hatched to turn Jamestown profitable.Western Civ 2.0

A reminder that every other episode of the series on Jamestown will be available only to patrons. To try a free membership for a week or to support the show and get access to all the materials, check out the link below.Western Civ 2.0

Today, I sit down with Tom McMillan and discuss his most recent book: The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, 1775-1776.This gripping account reveals the precarious path to American independence through a series of pivotal dates that history has nearly forgotten. While July 4th claims the glory, the actual vote for independence came on July 2nd—and even that historic moment almost didn't happen. From January's publication of Common Sense to December's darkest hours of the Revolution, McMillan reconstructs the dramatic months when rebellious colonies transformed into a new nation.Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the book reveals:How the pivotal events of May 15, June 7, and July 2 shaped America's destinyWhy Congress's bold January declaration triggered a chain of unstoppable eventsThe behind-the-scenes feud between Adams and Jefferson on their views of government after independence was wonHow the Declaration's influence extended from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to modern timesThis timely narrative strips away the myths to expose the raw political courage that launched a revolution. From heated Congressional debates to the dangerous aftermath of declaring independence, McMillan delivers a fresh perspective on America's founding that resonates powerfully with today's political challenges.Buy The Book

Today I interview Historian John Bicknell about his newest book: The Pathfinder and the President.In 1856, John C. Frémont—the famed "Pathfinder" of the American West—became the Republican Party's first presidential nominee on an anti-slavery platform. Five years later, now a Union general under President Lincoln, he sparked a national crisis by unilaterally declaring emancipation in Missouri. Drawing from extensive research, author John Bicknell masterfully chronicles the volatile relationship between these two leaders as they grappled with slavery, military strategy, and the future of the nation.From award-winning historian John Bicknell comes an essential new perspective on the Civil War era, acclaimed by scholars as "powerful," "engaging," and "distinctive." Perfect for readers of both Civil War history and political biography, this compelling narrative shows how the clash between Lincoln and Frémont helped determine the course of emancipation and the outcome of the war itself.Buy the Book HERETo support this podcast join our Patreon.

Today we begin an in-depth look at Jamestown - England's first successful colony in North America. I will examine the situation in England and along the Chesapeake leading up to 1607. Then John Smith and the rest of the English arrive and the real fun begins.To listen to Part Two, you will need to be a Patreon member. To become one, click this LINK for a free trial.

I briefly cover the Dutch East and West Indies Companies plus Dutch colonization efforts in the Americas.Western Civ 2.0

France and England finally get into the colonization game.Western Civ 2.0

In this episode, I give a quick refresher on Portuguese colonization. Western Civ 2.0