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American History Hit

History Hit
Civil War
World War II
Great Depression
Slavery
Vietnam War
Cold War
Civil Rights Movement
American Revolutionary War
American Revolution
American Civil War
Abraham Lincoln
United States
Revolutionary War
World War I
Virginia
British Empire
George Washington
Reconstruction
Herbert Hoover
Texas

Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today.

We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes424Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for American History Hit

Latest Episodes

When and where did the Civil War end? Was it really over when Lee surrendered at Appomattox?

Don is joined for this episode by Caroline E. Janney, Professor at the University of Virginia and author of 'Ends of War: The Unfinished Fight of Lee’s Army... more

Over the course of this series, we've discussed the extraordinary promise of Reconstruction, as well as the relentless attacks these efforts came under. In this final episode, we're stepping back from the events themselves to ask the biggest question... more

On March 5 1911, 146 people died in a fire that lasted just 18 minutes. This event was to change the history of New York, and has an ongoing impact in each of our workplaces.

Don is joined for this episode by David Conrad-Pérez to find out what made... more

Reconstruction promised freedom and political equality, but how quickly did that promise begin to unravel? Why did white Southern resistance become so violent, and why did Northern support for Reconstruction begin to fade? In this episode, we explore... more

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Recent Guests

David Conrad-Pérez
Author of Fire in the Heart of the City, the Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity
Author/ Historian
Episode: The Fire That Changed New York
Howard Fuller
Reader in War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton
University of Wolverhampton
Episode: Civil War Battle Of The Ironclads
Bradley Rebeiro
Associate Professor of Law at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Episode: Reconstruction Era: A False Dawn of Freedom?
Michael Ross
Professor of Constitutional History, University of Maryland
University of Maryland
Episode: Plessy v. Ferguson: The Supreme Court Case That Enshrined Jim Crow
Ty Sedule
Brigadier General, Professor Emeritus of History at West Point; author of Robert E. Lee and Me
West Point / Hamilton College (Professor Emeritus)
Episode: What Happened to the Confederates?
Cliff Sloan
Professor at Georgetown Law, author and former attorney who argued cases before the Supreme Court
Georgetown Law
Episode: How Did the Supreme Court Claim Power?
Paul Durica
Director of Exhibitions at the Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
Episode: Life in Mobland Chicago
Jennifer Denetdale
Professor and Chair of American Studies at the University of New Mexico; historian of Diné/Diné history
University of New Mexico
Episode: Long Walk of the Navajo
John Boessenecker
American historian and author of Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta, the bandit chief who terrorized California and launched the legend of Zorro
Historian and Author
Episode: The Robin Hood of the Wild West

Host

Don Wildman
Host of American History Hit

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Agenda Driven History

    Can we please do more shows on reconstruction?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    craneshaft
    United States6 days ago
  • Be less political

    I used to love this show a lot but lately I hesitate to listen. Far too many political remarks for a history podcast. I’m just trying to learn and hear an unbiased telling of our history.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Strider-OTN
    United States22 days ago
  • Ads are terrible

    Get rid of ads. It breaks up the flow, I pay for Audible already. Your competitors have eliminated them.

    Audible
    1
    Lance Wierenga
    United States24 days ago
  • Cleveland Bombings of 1976

    Great program! Please do an episode to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland mob bombings of 1976, thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    did ggjfiv vi kgd KB c
    United Statesa month ago
  • history

    Good show. Great guests. Good voice for narration. I’d suggest less political remarks.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jrock000007
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Mixed feedback on political framing, with some listeners preferring less partisan discussion.
Some reviews call for a broader topic range beyond heavily political or biased framing.
Listeners frequently praise the host's narration and the quality of expert guests, citing strong educational value.
Listener sentiment notes high regard for guests and accessible storytelling but occasional critiques of the host's style.
Overall, audience appreciates scholarly guests and rigorous history, while a subset desires less perceived bias or edits.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#40
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#41
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#73
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#63
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#216
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Did Reconstruction Fail?
Q: Could there have been a different outcome if white Northerners had committed to protections for Black southerners earlier?
While some argue a more forceful federal commitment might have prolonged Black political and economic gains, the episode notes widespread Northern fatigue, competing economic priorities, and intense Southern resistance that made a biracial democracy unlikely under the era's political constraints.
Why Did Reconstruction Fail?
Q: Very briefly, what was Reconstruction intended to do?
Reconstruction aimed to physically rebuild the South, define emancipation in social and political terms, and integrate newly freed Black people into the political community, with competing visions from different groups about how quick or thorough that integration should be.
The Fire That Changed New York
Q: What were the immediate and long-term consequences of this tragedy in terms of policy and social change?
In the immediate term, there was a harsh backlash and legal battles against factory owners, but the long-term effect was the passage of dozens of labor and safety laws in New York, the shift of workplace safety toward federal oversight, and the empowering of labor unions and charitable organizations to push for systemic reform.
Reconstruction Era: Terror in the South
Q: How did the 14th and 15th Amendments fare during this period, and what did the Supreme Court rulings imply?
Although the amendments remained in the Constitution, the Supreme Court rulings, such as Slaughterhouse and later decisions, narrowed their practical reach, limiting protections against state- and private-sector discrimination and diminishing federal enforcement capability until the civil rights movements of the 20th century.
Reconstruction Era: Terror in the South
Q: What was the impact of US v. Cruikshank on federal authority to protect civil rights?
US v. Cruikshank curtailed federal power to prosecute individuals for violations of civil rights when acts occurred outside state action, undermining Congress's ability to enforce Reconstruction-era rights and contributing to the rollback of protections for Black citizens.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About American History Hit

What is American History Hit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers history-focused conversations that unpack critical moments in American history through expert analysis and vivid storytelling. Recent episodes span Reconstruction, labor reforms sparked by landmark disasters, Civil War era technology, and the making-and-breaking of constitutional rights, often centering on key events like the Colfax Massacre, Plessy v. Ferguson, and the rise of Jim Crow. A standout feature is the array of scholarly guests—historians, legal scholars, and museum professionals—who bring deep context to complex topics, making the past feel relevant to today. The host maintains a clear narrative voice and a preference for rigorous sourcing, with occasional viewer commentary noting political framing. This mix s... more

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Which podcasts are similar to American History Hit?

These podcasts share a similar audience with American History Hit:

1. Dan Snow's History Hit
2. History Unplugged Podcast
3. American History Tellers
4. History Daily
5. Gone Medieval

How many episodes of American History Hit are there?

American History Hit launched 4 years ago and published 424 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on American History Hit?

Recent guests on American History Hit include:

1. David Conrad-Pérez
2. Howard Fuller
3. Bradley Rebeiro
4. Michael Ross
5. Ty Sedule
6. Cliff Sloan
7. Paul Durica
8. Jennifer Denetdale

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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