Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20080915 | Justin Webb presents a debate to launch Radio 4's new American history series. He asks what influences have most shaped America today.
A panel of distinguished guests from both sides of the Atlantic includes series presenter Prof David Reynolds and Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People's History of the United States.
Justin Webb presents a debate to launch Radio 4's new American history series. | |||
| 01 | Lost Civilisations | 20080915 | Who were America's first inhabitants? Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 02 | Columbus: Bearer Of Death | 20080916 | The first European explorers brought fatal diseases which reduced the native population. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 03 | Borderlands of the Spanish Superpower | 20080917 | The lure of gold and silver attracted Spanish colonists from Central and South America. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 04 | New France Astride America's Heartland | 20080918 | The French moved from the north to the south, searching for the mouth of the Mississippi. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 05 | Southern Planters and Black Slaves | 20080919 | The English settled in Virginia and Maryland. Slaves from Africa were introduced. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 06 | Faith and Freedom in New England | 20080922 | The Puritan founders of New England sowed the seeds of modern democracy. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 07 | The Middle Colonies and the Melting Pot | 20080923 | Dutch settlers in New York and Pennsylvania pioneered a spirit of religious tolerance. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 08 | Awakenings and Nightmares | 20080924 | Religious revivals challenge the authority of the formal hierarchical churches. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 09 | The Battle for Empire | 20080925 | North America becomes part of the conflict between Britain and France. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 10 | Taxes, Tea and Rights | 20080926 | Colonists throw tea into Boston Harbour as a protest against a tax imposed by the British. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 11 | Declaring Independence | 20080929 | The Declaration of Independence is drafted. Its principal author is Thomas Jefferson. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 12 | Winning Independence | 20080930 | The battles against the British. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 13 | 'to Form A More Perfect Union' | 20081001 | The Founding Fathers form a federal government under a new constitution. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 14 | Making the Republic Work | 20081002 | George Washington becomes the country's first President and the Bill of Rights is ratified Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 15 | Founding A Capital | 20081003 | The fierce bargaining between north and south over where to locate the country's capital. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 16 | War and Terror | 20081006 | America becomes involved as Britain and France battle for global empire. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 17 | Remember the Ladies | 20081007 | Remember the Ladies. The role of women in building the new Republic. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 18 | Jefferson's Western Empire | 20081008 | The settlement of America's vast interior. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 19 | Victims of Liberty | 20081009 | Indian resistance and an increased demand for slave labour by the new western territories. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 20 | The Second War of Independence | 20081010 | America declares war on Britain and Washington burns. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 21 | For Jackson and Democracy | 20081013 | The growth of democracy and political parties in America. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 22 | A Christian Republic? | 20081014 | Religious revivals transform American society in the early 19th century. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 23 | The Indian Trail Of Tears | 20081015 | Indian tribes are forced to either assimilate or move west of the Mississippi. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 24 | Frontier Values | 20081016 | The government sells off vast tracts of land and thousands of people migrate westward. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 25 | Let Us Conquer Space | 20081017 | The building of the Erie Canal and the railway boom. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 26 | The Arsenic of Mexico | 20081020 | America and Mexico fight over territory in Texas, New Mexico and California. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 27 | Gold, God and the Little Giant | 20081021 | The gold rush and a compromise on the issue of slavery. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 28 | Paddies, Papists and Demon Drink | 20081022 | Irish immigrants flock to America, where they are not always welcome. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 29 | Slaves, Masters and the Slave Power | 20081023 | Northerners fear the dominance of the slave-owning south. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 30 | A House Divided | 20081024 | The debate about the place of slavery in the 'land of liberty' reaches a critical point. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 31 | The Ninety-Day War | 20090119 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. This was originallly broadcast as part of the 90 part series, America: Empire of Liberty
Episode 1: The start of the Civil War: a fight for Southern independence and the end of slavery.
Previously broadcast on 19 January, 2009.
The start of the Civil War: a fight for Southern independence and the end of slavery. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 31 | The Ninety-Day War | 20090119 | 20110404 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. This was originallly broadcast as part of the 90 part series, America: Empire of Liberty
Episode 1: The start of the Civil War: a fight for Southern independence and the end of slavery.
Previously broadcast on 19 January, 2009.
The start of the Civil War: a fight for Southern independence and the end of slavery. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 32 | The Killers Take Command | 20090120 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. In this episode, we meet the men on both sides of the battle lines: Robert E Lee and Ulysses S Grant.
Episode 2 - The Killers Take Command
This was originallly broadcast as part of the 90 part series, America: Empire of Liberty
The leading men on either side of the battle lines: Robert E Lee and Ulysses S Grant. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 32 | The Killers Take Command | 20090120 | 20110405 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. In this episode, we meet the men on both sides of the battle lines: Robert E Lee and Ulysses S Grant.
Episode 2 - The Killers Take Command
This was originallly broadcast as part of the 90 part series, America: Empire of Liberty
The leading men on either side of the battle lines: Robert E Lee and Ulysses S Grant. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 33 | Forever Free | 20090121 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. In this episode, Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves.
Episode 3: Forever Free
Previously broadcast on 21 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds 90 part series, America, Empire of Liberty.
Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 33 | Forever Free | 20090121 | 20110406 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. In this episode, Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves.
Episode 3: Forever Free
Previously broadcast on 21 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds 90 part series, America, Empire of Liberty.
Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 34 | A New Nation | 20090122 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. The Battle of Gettysburg.
Episode 4: A New Nation
The Battle of Gettysburg. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 34 | A New Nation | 20090122 | 20110407 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war. The Battle of Gettysburg.
Episode 4: A New Nation
The Battle of Gettysburg. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 35 | The War Behind the Battle Lines | 20090123 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war.
Episode 5: 'The War Behind the Battle Lines': The burning of Atlanta.
Previously broadcast on 23 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds 90 part series America, Empire of Liberty.
The burning of Atlanta. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 35 | The War Behind the Battle Lines | 20090123 | 20110408 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month. In ten episodes he explores the origins and legacy of the war.
Episode 5: 'The War Behind the Battle Lines': The burning of Atlanta.
Previously broadcast on 23 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds 90 part series America, Empire of Liberty.
The burning of Atlanta. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 36 | The Passing of the Dead | 20090126 | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month.
Episode 6: 'The Passing of the Dead': The end of the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Previously broadcast on 26 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds' 90 part series on the history of Amerca.
The end of the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 36 | The Passing of the Dead | 20090126 | 20110411 (R4) | David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War which began 150 years ago this month.
Episode 6: 'The Passing of the Dead': The end of the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Previously broadcast on 26 January, 2009, as part of David Reynolds' 90 part series on the history of Amerca.
The end of the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 37 | Dead States, New Birth | 20090127 | The North attempts to force change upon the South. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 37 | Dead States, New Birth | 20090127 | 20110412 (R4) | The North attempts to force change upon the South. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 38 | Reunion but not Reconstruction | 20090128 | Former slaves enjoy a brief period of political equality in the South. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 38 | Reunion but not Reconstruction | 20090128 | 20110413 (R4) | Former slaves enjoy a brief period of political equality in the South. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 39 | New South, Old Ways | 20090129 | The birth of segregation. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 39 | New South, Old Ways | 20090129 | 20110414 (R4) | The birth of segregation. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 40 | War and Memory | 20090130 | How the Civil War became etched on the American consciousness for generations to come. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 40 | War and Memory | 20090130 | 20110415 (R4) | How the Civil War became etched on the American consciousness for generations to come. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |
| 41 | Big Business | 20090202 | The rise of business tycoons such as Andrew Carnegie, JD Rockefeller and JP Morgan. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 42 | Made in America | 20090203 | Industrial growth and the arrival of the railways. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 43 | The Cities - America's Pride and Shame | 20090204 | The cities illustrate both sides of America: wealth side by side with slum poverty. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 44 | The Farmers and Workers Revolt | 20090205 | The rise of unionisation and strikes across America. Will socialism take off? Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 45 | Huddled Masses, Savage Hordes | 20090206 | The impact of mass immigration on American politics and culture. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 46 | Politics and Progress | 20090209 | How politics took hold of the cities, for good and for ill. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 47 | Roosevelt and Reform | 20090210 | How Theodore Roosevelt came to power and his battle to bring big business to heel. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 48 | The Taste of Empire | 20090211 | America's expansion into Cuba and the Philippines and the impact it had at home. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 49 | The Wild West | 20090212 | How the West was finally settled and then turned into a myth by the American people. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 50 | Fun and God | 20090213 | The rise of the leisure, baseball and the power of religion. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 51 | Too Proud to Fight | 20090216 | Woodrow Wilson's fight to keep America out of the First World War. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 52 | A World Safe for Democracy | 20090217 | America enters the war in Europe and accepts female suffrage at home. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 53 | The Lost Peace | 20090218 | The battle to form a fair peace and create the League of Nations. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 54 | 100 Percent American | 20090219 | America wrestles with the impact that its diverse population will bring. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 55 | The Jazz Age Hits Main Street | 20090220 | How a surfeit of music, sex and freedom ushered in the Prohibition. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 56 | From Boom to Bust | 20090223 | The story of the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression and the failure of Herbert Hoover Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 57 | New Deal | 20090224 | How Franklin D Roosevelt got America working again. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 58 | A War for the Survival of Democracy | 20090225 | The fight to keep America neutral and at peace while arming the allies. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 59 | Floundering into War | 20090226 | The attack on Pearl Harbor and the decision to go to war. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 60 | A Hell of A War | 20090227 | Segregation among the troops, the death of FDR and the atomic bomb. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 61 | Red or Dead? | 20090601 | How a Second World War alliance between the US and the Soviets hardened into the Cold War. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 62 | A World Half-Slave, Half-Free | 20090602 | Truman and Stalin square off over the Berlin blockade and the USSR tests a nuclear bomb. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 63 | The Suburban Republic | 20090603 | After the war, Americans turn their attentions back home, building homes and highways. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 64 | Korea - The Cold War Turns Hot | 20090604 | The US army clashes with Chinese and Soviet-backed forces in Korea. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 65 | Defended to Death | 20090605 | The country enters a period of unprecedented prosperity, despite the threat of nuclear war Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 66 | The Back of the Bus | 20090608 | The US Supreme Court orders schools to become racially mixed. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 67 | 'and We Shall Overcome' | 20090609 | Activists confront segregationists and President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 68 | Black Power | 20090610 | African-American frustration at the slow pace of change results in riots. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 69 | Women's Liberation | 20090611 | American women push back against sexism. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 70 | The 'War on Poverty' | 20090612 | Lyndon Johnson seizes the political moment after the assassination of President Kennedy. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 71 | Cuba - That Four Letter Word | 20090615 | An American-backed invasion of Cuba fails. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 72 | Vietnam - The Battleground of Freedom | 20090616 | Successive American leaders are embroiled in the ongoing conflict against communism. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 73 | 1968, Paralysis Of A President | 20090617 | Domestic tensions and the war in Vietnam throw the Johnson administration into a tailspin. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 74 | Vietnam - 'Peace With Honour'? | 20090618 | America wakes up to its involvement in south east Asia and Nixon pulls out the troops. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 75 | Watergate and the Imperial Presidency | 20090619 | Paranoia and arrogance in the White House lead to the downfall of President Nixon. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 76 | America in Retreat? | 20090622 | Watergate, Vietnam and an economy damaged by the oil crisis drain American vitality. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 77 | A Constitutional Abortion | 20090623 | In 1973 the Supreme Court determines a framework for legal abortion. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 78 | The 'Silent Majority' Finds Its Voice | 20090624 | Conservative reaction to civil rights and women's liberation galvanises American politics. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 79 | Putting God Back into Politics | 20090625 | Evangelical Christians get involved in public life to fight against liberal excesses. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 80 | Keeping Faith | 20090626 | Evangelical Christian Jimmy Carter is elected president. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 81 | The Acting President | 20090629 | Ronald Reagan turns his message of economic freedom into resounding electoral victories. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 82 | Reagan and the 'Evil Empire' | 20090630 | President Reagan makes progress with a new Cold War strategy. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 83 | The Information Revolution | 20090701 | The personal computer goes mainstream, demonstrating the ingenuity of the American economy Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 84 | 'tear Down This Wall' | 20090702 | The first President Bush responds pragmatically to the dramatic events of 1989. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 85 | 'a New World Order'? | 20090703 | A swift victory in Iraq points to a new international consensus. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 86 | Sole Superpower, Edgy Americans | 20090706 | President Clinton presides over a grubby and divisive period in the political world. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 87 | Multiculturalism or Disintegration? | 20090707 | New waves of immigration from Latin America change the country's ethnic makeup. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 88 | 'america Is Under Attack' | 20090708 | The era of relative peace after the Cold War comes to a violent end on September 11, 2001. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 89 | Iraq and the 'Axis of Evil' | 20090709 | The 9/11 attacks propel President Bush and America in to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds | |
| 90 | 'to Shape An Uncertain Destiny' | 20090710 | Change once again transforms American politics during the 2008 presidential election. Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds |