Before the American Revolution came the French and Indian War—a conflict that redrew maps, ignited colonial unrest, and brought to the world stage a young man who would change the course of history. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, explains how this war set the stage for America’s fight for independence.

It was the “shot heard round the world”, the spark that officially set off the American War for Independence. But on that cold morning, neither the colonial militia nor their redcoat opponents were looking for a fight. So how exactly did an unplanned confrontation become the opening volley of the Revolution? Robert Orrison, author of A Single Blow: The Battles of Lexington and Concord, explains.

PragerU

5-Minute Videos

Lexington and Concord: The Shot Heard 'Round the World

We’ve been waging a “war” against poverty for half a century. Critics on the left and the right say we’re losing. Are they right? And if they are, what are the reasons? PragerU’s own Xaviaer DuRousseau takes a new approach by returning to first principles: what is poverty, who suffers from it, and why?

The Real Tragedy of the Welfare State

Before George Washington crossed the Delaware, before Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry lit the spark of rebellion. With nothing but his voice, he thundered the words that rallied a young nation. Eric Metaxas, author of Revolution, tells how Henry helped launch the American experiment—and why his message still echoes today.

Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Look at the American Declaration of Independence and what’s the first thing you notice? The answer is probably the signature of John Hancock. But John Hancock’s real legacy isn’t how he signed—it’s what he stood for. Eric Metaxas, author of Revolution, tells the story of the man who put his name—and fortune—on the line for American independence.

John Hancock: The Signature of Independence

The British held Boston. Washington needed cannons. Enter 25-year-old Henry Knox—a former bookseller who set out on an impossible winter mission to haul 60 tons of artillery 300 miles through snow, ice, and mountains. Eric Metaxas, author of Revolution, tells the remarkable story of the man who became George Washington’s chief of artillery.


Henry Knox: Washington’s Artillery Master

He was French by birth—but American by conviction. Wounded in battle, tireless in diplomacy, and fiercely loyal to George Washington, Lafayette became one of the Revolution’s most essential actors. Eric Metaxas, author of Revolution, tells the story of the French hero who helped America win its independence.

Lafayette: The French Hero of the American Revolution

He was 21 years old, a schoolteacher turned soldier. Captured by the British, he faced the hangman’s noose with one legendary line: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” Eric Metaxas, author of Revolution, tells the story of Nathan Hale—and the spirit of sacrifice that helped win America’s independence.

Nathan Hale: One Life to Give

It was the worst financial disaster since the Great Depression. But what really caused the 2008 crash? Deregulation? Greedy banks? Or something else entirely? PragerU’s Franklin Camargo explains how government mandates and bad incentives created one of the most destructive bubbles in American history.

Who Caused the 2008 Great Recession?

On September 10, 2025, an assassin took the life of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old Founder and President of Turning Point USA. The world mourned. What was it about Charlie that brought so many people together in shared grief? What impact did he have on the country he loved? And how might his influence continue to endure? Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, offers a tribute to her friend.

Ep. 710 - How Charlie Kirk Changed America

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he wasn’t just using poetic language—he was laying down a radical vision for a free society. But what did he and the Founders really mean by “liberty?”  And how has that definition changed over time?  Robert George, Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, explains.

Ep. 709 - Liberty: What Did the Founders Mean?

How much do you know about Christmas—about its origins and its many beloved traditions? Do you know where the idea of stocking-stuffers comes from? Or how lights found their way onto the Christmas tree? Or why we all have the jolly, red-suited, white-haired image of Santa Claus in our heads? In this video, historian William Federer explores the holiday’s rich and unique history.

Ep. 707 - The Amazing History of Christmas - 2024

As artificial intelligence transforms the world, it’s triggering an unprecedented demand for energy. So where will that power come from—and what does it mean for America’s future? Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, explains what history tells us about innovation and the unstoppable force of progress.

Ep. 706 - What Will Power the AI Revolution?

The Spanish got to the New World first. The French built the biggest forts. The Indians knew the land best. So how did the English come to dominate North America? Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, walks us through the unlikely rise of the English colonies—and how they laid the foundation for the United States of America.

Ep. 705 - Colonial America: Why Do Americans Speak English?

Ep. 704 - Colonial America: The French and Indian War

Before the American Revolution in 1776, there was another revolution decades earlier. This one wasn’t about freedom vs. tyranny, but about something else entirely, and it changed the face of the developing nation almost as profoundly as the War of Independence did. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, tells the story.

Ep. 703 - Colonial America: The Great Awakening

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 remain one of the most infamous—and misunderstood—episodes in American history. What caused the panic? Why did so many go along with it? And how did this dark chapter shape America’s future? Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, explains. 

Ep. 702 - Colonial America: The Salem Witch Trials

One was founded on profit. The other on faith. Jamestown and Plymouth shaped two powerful forces in American life: commerce and religion. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, tells the story of the colonies that helped set the stage for the nation to come.

Ep. 701 - Colonial America: Jamestown vs. Plymouth

Joseph Biden spent his career chasing one goal: the presidency. After decades of political frustration, he finally became the 46th president of the United States. What happened next is one of American history’s tragic ironies. Presidential historian Tevi Troy explores Biden’s rise and fall.

Ep. 700 - Joe Biden: Decline and Fall

There are two contemporary narratives of the Trump era. According to one, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is a right-wing autocrat who aspires to end the American republic. According to the other, he is saving the republic from left-wing extremism. Which version is more accurate? Sir Niall Ferguson, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, explores this question.

Ep. 699 - Donald Trump: The MAGA President

Michelle Thibeau served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. As a woman and a soldier, she knows that there are many roles in the armed forces that women can and should fill. Is combat one of them?


Menu

Ep. 704 - Colonial America: The French and Indian War [Member Exclusive]

More Episodes