RW11: The Rhode Island Campaign
About this episode
This episode examines the Rhode Island Campaign during the Revolutionary War, highlighting the American attempts to recapture Newport and the significance of the Franco-American alliance.
The British occupation of Newport, Rhode Island, in late 1776 set the stage for one of the Revolutionary War's most important—and most overlooked—campaigns. In this episode, James and Audrey examine the American attempts to recapture the strategic port, culminating in the first major combined military operation between the United States and its new French ally under Admiral d'Estaing. We follow the campaign from its promising beginnings through the devastating storm, the diplomatic crisis that nearly shattered the Franco-American alliance, and the hard-fought Battle of Rhode Island. Although the campaign failed to retake Newport, it marked a turning point in the war by demonstrating the growing strength of the Continental Army and the profound strategic impact of France's entry into the conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Hosts: James, Audrey
Topics covered
- Rhode Island Campaign
- Revolutionary War
- Franco-American alliance
- Continental Army
- military operations
- strategic port
Keywords
- Rhode Island
- Newport
- Revolutionary War
- Franco-American alliance
- Admiral d'Estaing
- Continental Army
- military campaign
- Battle of Rhode Island
- strategic port
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Admiral d'Estaing
Places: Rhode Island, Newport
More episodes of Key Battles of American History
- RW10: The Philadelphia Campaign
- RW9: The Tide Turns: Saratoga
- The Crossing with Michael Troy
- RW8: Ten Crucial Days: Trenton and Princeton
- RW7: The New York and New Jersey Campaign
- RW6: Common Sense, Charleston, and Independence
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