American Military History: From Colonials to Counterinsurgents

Course Overview

Gen. Wesley K. Clark—decorated Vietnam veteran, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Rhodes Scholar, and military historian—examines America’s wars from the French and Indian War through the Global War on Terror. In 24 lectures he analyzes tactics, strategy, leadership, logistics, and the soldier’s experience in key battles and campaigns, drawing on both classic engagements (Yorktown, Gettysburg, D‑Day) and modern operations (Inchon, Desert Storm, Kosovo).

Course Details

• Course No.: 8706

• Instructor: Gen. Wesley K. Clark

• Format: 24 recorded lectures (≈27–33 minutes each)

• Focus: campaign and battle analysis, evolution of American strategy, counterinsurgency, leadership lessons, and the lived experience of soldiers

Video Lectures (organized)

01: America: Forged in War — 30 min

Gen. Clark opens with a Vietnam combat vignette, then traces early American military origins to the French and Indian War and young George Washington.

02: George Washington Takes Command — 29 min

Washington’s defense of Boston, the New York campaign, and contrasting British/American strategic aims in the Revolution.

03: Redcoats Fall to the Continental Army — 28 min

Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, campaign momentum, and the path to Yorktown (1781).

04: Andrew Jackson and the War of 1812 — 28 min

U.S. motives for war, strategic stalemate, and Andrew Jackson’s victory at New Orleans.

05: The Mexican‑American War of 1846–1848 — 28 min

Territorial expansion, the campaigns of Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, and professional army maneuvering.

06: Opening Volleys of the Civil War: 1861–1862 — 30 min

Political lead‑up, Winfield Scott’s strategy, First Bull Run, and the West’s emerging leaders including Ulysses S. Grant.

07: The Civil War’s Main Front: 1862 — 27 min

Eastern theater operations, McClellan’s command issues, Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson, and Antietam.

08: Vicksburg to Gettysburg: 1862–1863 — 29 min

Grant’s Vicksburg campaign splitting the Confederacy and Meade’s defense at Gettysburg.

09: Chattanooga to Appomattox: 1863–1865 — 29 min

Sherman’s Atlanta campaign and March to the Sea; Grant’s Virginia operations culminating at Appomattox.

10: The Spanish‑American War of 1898 — 29 min

Manila Bay, San Juan Heights, and the insurgency challenges that foreshadowed later conflicts.

11: American Expeditionary Forces: 1917–1918 — 27 min

U.S. mobilization for World War I, Pershing’s command, and transitioning into modern mechanized warfare.

12: John J. Pershing, the Doughboys, and France — 27 min

Learning curve, tactical adaptation, and how American forces helped break the WWI stalemate.

13: From Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Midway — 29 min

Pearl Harbor, early Pacific setbacks, Coral Sea and Midway as strategic turning points.

14: War in North Africa and the South Pacific — 30 min

Global strategic dilemmas, Allied debates, North Africa’s importance, and South Pacific campaigns.

15: Air Power over Germany; Toward Japan by Sea — 29 min

Strategic bombing vs. Germany, Mediterranean/Italian campaigns, and island‑hopping culminating in decisive naval battles.

16: From Normandy to Berlin and Tokyo — 29 min

D‑Day and the European breakthrough, Battle of the Bulge, Pacific island campaigns, and the decision to use atomic weapons.

17: Korea and the Cold War — 30 min

Korea as the Cold War’s first major clash: strategic choices, MacArthur’s role, and the war’s inconclusive outcome.

18: The United States Enters Vietnam — 30 min

U.S. escalation in Vietnam, Clark’s personal service, Westmoreland’s approach, and the mismatch with insurgency warfare.

19: Elusive Victory in Southeast Asia — 29 min

Counterinsurgency adjustments under Gen. Abrams, Clark’s combat experience, and reflections on Vietnam’s outcomes.

20: American Forces in Grenada and Panama — 29 min

Post‑Vietnam operations (1983 Grenada, 1989–90 Panama) as tests of U.S. expeditionary capabilities and policy goals.

21: Knocking Iraq Out of Kuwait — 30 min

Operation Desert Storm: coalition warfare, maneuver warfare, and the largest armored engagement in history.

22: Balkan Wars: Bosnia and Kosovo — 29 min

Clark’s NATO command in Kosovo (1999), air campaign strategy, and intervention to halt ethnic cleansing.

23: Afghanistan, Iraq, and Terrorism — 29 min

Post‑9/11 campaigns: initial successes, insurgency challenges, and the tactical/political difficulties of stabilization.

24: Facing Wars Past and Future — 32 min

Synthesis of lessons across U.S. military history and strategic implications for future warfare and technological leadership.