In this class we are going to learn about 5 epic battles that changed the course of history. If any of these battles end differently than they did, the whole course of world history is different. We’re going to learn about the build up -- the different sides and the origins of the dispute and why these sides were at war -- and we’ll talk about how the world would look differently today if they other side had won.

These are epic stories with great leaders, larger than life characters, and remarkable acts of heroism.

The 5 Battles:

1. Battle of Constantinople
2. Spanish Armada defeated
3. Battle of Yorktown
4. Battle of Waterloo
5. D Day and the Beaches of Normandy

This is a 5 week course and each week we look at a different battle.

Week 1
The end of the Roman Empire as Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

Week 2
The Spanish Armada is defeated in 1588. The Spanish have been the dominant world power. Why is Spanish the prevalent language in most of Central and South America? Because these were all Spanish colonies as Spain was the dominant world power and their navy, the Spanish Armada, was viewed as unstoppable. 1588 is a turning point when England’s Sir Francis Drake defeats the Spanish Armada.

Week 3
The Battle of Yorktown. Great Britain surrenders to the United States and French forces, ending what we call in the United States the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence was a big deal, but if the United States lose the war, America is still a part of Great Britain today. How does the world look different today with no United States?

Week 4
The Battle of Waterloo. I was in France last year and the French have mixed feelings about this guy Napoleon. On the one hand, he represents this era of French power and dominance. On the other hand, he was trying to take over the world by force and military conquest -- and he was successful at taking over much of Europe. At the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon is finally defeated.

Week 5
D Day and the Beaches of Normandy. The decisive day that was the turning point in World War II when the United States and the Allies begin to beat back the advances of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. 

This is a great survey course of world history. Students are going to learn about some watershed moments and colossal  figures.