Explore the rich history of our past through the lens of our military institutions. From the settlement of North America to the present, this podcast encompasses traditional military history and goes the extra step to address the evolution of ideas and institutions. Join us!
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In this episode we focus on one of the most pivotal moments in American Military History. When Elihu Root was confirmed as Secretary of War, he needed a War Department that could meet the task at hand - pacifying the Philippines. Well aware of the short comings of the Army that emerged during the Cuban campaign, Root embarked on reform. We will focus on the issues Root faced and what he wanted to…
With the assumption of an Empire and growing economic and military power, the United States flexed its muscles in the Philippines, Central America, and the Caribbean. Since the nineteenth century, the United States wanted to keep European powers and interests out of countries in close proximity to its borders. With the success of ridding the hemisphere of European powers in Cuba and the…
Once Americans landed in Manila, tensions simmered between the Filipino independence movement and emerging power of the United States in the Pacific. Attempts to come to any accommodation failed. Emilio Aguinaldo led an Army but failed to wrest control from the United States. Rather than give up the fight, Aguinaldo pursued a guerilla campaign. While they put up a good fight, they failed to secure…
In this episode we will wind up the story of the campaign against Spain. After the fall of Santiago de Cuba, American forces landed on the island of Puerto Rico. With the capture of the largest city on the island, the colony was for the most part secured quickly. Half way around the world, American forces concentrated on taking the political and cultural center of the Philippines - Manila.…
In February of 2016 I embarked on a new project, a podcast that would go through the timeline of American Military History. Ten years later we are finally on the cusp of the twentieth century. This episode will focus on where we are headed in the coming months and some general reflections. Thank you to all of my loyal listeners. I appreciate your support, no matter in what form it comes in. Thanks…
The story of the Spanish American War continues. In this episode we focus on the actions of the US Army and Navy in the aftermath of General Shafter's first moves. After capturing El Caney and San Juan Hill, the Spanish squadron that was in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba left their anchorage to face the Americans. In a lopsided fight, the American victory effectively marked the end of the Cuban…
Welcome to the first episode of the year! We are continuing our series on the Spanish-American War. We are transitioning from Tampa, Florida to the Island of Cuba. The commanding general of V Corps, William Shafter, landed outside of Santiago de Cuba. Rather than reduce the fortifications at the mouth of the harbor, Shafter was ready to move against the Spanish garrison in the city. He chose to…
Once war was declared in April, plans to send an American expeditionary force evolved. Once a Spanish flotilla was trapped in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, rather than striking at Havana, the decision was to send the force to Santiago. The size and complexity of the force grew from a projected 5,000 men to 25,000. The Corps commander, General William Shafter, was overwhelmed. Tampa was…
We are continuing our narrative on the Spanish-American War. In this episode we will concentrate on Admiral Dewey's victory in Manila Bay in the spring of 1898 as well as naval movements around the island of Cuba. Dewey's easy victory would open opportunities in the Philippines, but more on that in later episodes. The Army, pressured with more men than they anticipated, struggled to supply and arm…
After discussing the origins of the Spanish-American War in our last episode, we bring the story forward to the declaration of war and the plans of the United States and Spain. Spain was unable to pour reinforcements, either naval or ground into Cuba and the Philippines. They had no choice but to use the resources they had access to. In the United States, the navy had begun planning for a campaign…
