The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What was his legacy on history? And why, more than 200 years later, does the conflict which he gave his name to still matter? Join award-winning Napoleonic historians Dr Zack White, Dr Luke Reynolds, Liam Telfer and Josh Redden as they host Europe's leading show devoted to the American War of Independence, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. From interviews with leading researchers, to deep dive debates on some of the big questions of the period, this show is ideal for those who want to start building their knowledge of what happened in this period of history, or want to deepen their understanding. With everything from the military history, to the political intrigue, the plight of ordinary men and women, and the way we remember these wars, we leave no stone unturned as we bring all the angles on this fascinating period of history. Get bonus content, online courses, exclusive chances to meet historians and more at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod

Curated by: The Napoleonic Wars Channel (368 videos)

Currently Playing: President Adams' America: Sedition, Aliens and Quasi War

1797 was a moment of escalating international tensions and deepening domestic divisions. For eight years prior, Adams had served at the heart of George Washington’s administration, but nothing could fully prepare him for what would await him in his own presidency: the XYZ Affair, the Quasi War with France and the political firestorm unleashed by the Alien and Sedition Acts. As the young republic struggled to define itself, Adams faced enormous challenges in keeping the country out of full-scale war while also navigating the bitter rivalry between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. We explore how the Quasi War shaped American foreign policy and fed into the fiercely partisan atmosphere of the late 1790s. How did Adams’ decisions - including his support for peace over party - alienate allies within his own Federalist camp? Why did the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended as national security measures, backfire so dramatically and fuel accusations of authoritarianism? And what really caused the bruising election of 1800, often dubbed America’s first true test of peaceful political transition? We’ll also reflect on the enduring impact of Adams’ presidency. How did his term shape the future of the American presidency? What can we learn from his failures and quiet victories? And how does his ambivalent performance as president stack up? In this episode, Sara Georgini returns to deep dive into the presidency of John Adams, America’s often-overlooked second president. Find Sara on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarageorgini.bsky.social Check out Sara's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/household-gods-9780197647219?cc=gb&lang=en& Explore the Adams Papers Digital Edition: https://www.masshist.org/publications/adams-papers/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenapoleonicwarspod Access our links: https://linktr.ee/napwarspod 

Tracks in this Playlist