Podcast Episodes

China's Self Strengthening Movement 1860-1895

In the mid 19th Century China experienced a prolonged crisis as a result of the loss of the two opium wars with Britain. An attempt to economically revolutionise the country in the guise of the Self …

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

The decline and fall of the 20th Century Manifesto

The 20th Century was an age of political and artistic manifestos and visions, but the 21st Century is largely devoid of them. This podcast explores the factors that have led to their decline

Explaini…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Book Review: Reagan: American Icon by Iwan Morgan

Reviewing the new biography of Ronald Reagan, US president and figurehead of the conservative revolution.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and e…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Europe's Age of Catastrophe 1914-1945

A combination of factors in the aftermath of the First World War - ethnic nationalism and racism, capitalism in crisis and resurgent class conflict made peace in Europe fragile and temporary.

Explain…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Book Review: The Winchester - legend of the west

Review of Laura Trevelyan's biography of the Winchester repeating rifle

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the p…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

The Myth of Hitler's Economic Success

In this podcast, I examine the facade of economic growth in Nazi Germany and using the work of historians Adam Tooze and Richard J Evans, examine the far less impressive reality

Explaining History he…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Britain's Forgotten Depression 1920-21

In the immediate aftermath of the First World War, hopes of an economic boom in Britain were shortlived. Instead, the country was plunged into economic crisis, union unrest as the Conservative Party …

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Book Review: Gotham Rising

This Wednesday's review is Gotham Rising, a cultural history of New York in the 1930s, by Jules Stewart

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and exp…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Mao and the Red Guards: 1966.

In 1966, Mao returned from four years in the political wilderness to enact the Cultural Revolution, inspiring millions of young people to carry out an assault on traditions and authority figures acr…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

Palestine, India and Britain: Two partitions and the end of empire

Exhausted by the Second World War, Britain was desperate to hold on to influence in the Middle East and yet policy makers were anxious to withdraw from Palestine as quickly as possible. At the same t…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago