American Military History

Wars have played a crucial role in defining the United States and its place in the world. No one is better equipped to analyze this subject in depth than retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark—decorated combat veteran, author, Rhodes Scholar, and former NATO Supreme Commander. In this 24-lecture course, Gen. Clark explores the full scope of America's armed conflicts, from the French and Indian War in the mid 18th century to the Global War on Terrorism in the 21st. Gen. Clark sheds light on the tactics and strategy behind such famous battles as Yorktown, New Orleans, Gettysburg, D-Day, Inchon, and Operation Desert Storm, plus many others. He also recounts his own experiences in combat during the Vietnam War, which he barely survived. Through his incisive commentary, you learn that the perfect time to attack is when an opposing force is separated, distracted, and disorganized due to crossing an obstacle such as a river, as happened to British Gen. Edward Braddock's troops while fording the Monongahela River during the French and Indian War. You also learn that the fall of Fort Donelson during the Civil War was due to incoherent strategy by the Confederates, combined with brilliant tactics by Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Among dozens of other examples, Gen. Clark covers his own strategy for halting Serbian ethnic cleansing during Operation Allied Force in 1999, when he was the general in charge.