Segment from Other People’s Battles

Playing Both Sides

Ed, Brian, and Joanne discuss how foreign soldiers played a key role on both sides of the American Revolution, and consider why so few Americans chose to volunteer abroad in the 20th century.

Music:

Neo Zen by Ketsa

Over There

US Army veteran Buck Clay tells us how he quit his day job to join the fight against the Islamic State.

Music:

The Last Ones by Jahzzar

In the Mood by Ketsa

00:05:41

Our Sister Republics

Historian Caitlin Fitz relates how several thousand of Americans rushed to aid Latin American countries in their wars for independence against Spain and Portugal in the early 19th century.

Music:

Main Event by Ketsa

00:09:45

Playing Both Sides

Ed, Brian, and Joanne discuss how foreign soldiers played a key role on both sides of the American Revolution, and consider why so few Americans chose to volunteer abroad in the 20th century.

Music:

Neo Zen by Ketsa

00:05:00

Historian Michael Van Wagenen describes how US Army deserters fought on the side of Mexico in the Mexican-American War. Many of them were Irish immigrants, and Mexican leaders dubbed their regiment St. Patrick’s Battalion.

Music:

Theme in G by Podington Bear

00:10:20

Harlem in Montmartre

Reporter Chioke I’Anson tells the story of Eugene Bullard, the first

African-American fighter pilot in World War I. But he flew for France — not the United States.

Music:

F.O. by Jahzzar

Silver by Jahzzar

Patience by Jahzzar

00:06:15

Fighting Fascism

Writer Adam Hochschild talks about the American men and women who went to Spain in the l930’s to fight the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. They served as soldiers, ambulance drivers and nurses, alongside volunteers from England, France and Canada.

00:11:49