Podcast Episodes

The World Recession in the 1970s

After three decades of unprecedented global economic growth from the Second World War onwards, the economy of the first world experienced prolonged economic crisis throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Thi…

Published on 8 years, 9 months ago

French Fascism 1919-1939

Throughout the interwar period French politics polarised between right and left, but unlike Germany, the political centre ground managed to hold. On the right, a series of anti communist, pro Catholi…

Published on 8 years, 9 months ago

Japan, war and hardship 1937-41

By 1941 Japan was facing acute economic crises due to the long drawn out war in China and the American oil and scrap metal embargo. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour seemed to many Japanese a way …

Published on 8 years, 9 months ago

The Fate of Europe's Collaborators - 1945

At the end of the Second World War, savage reprisals against anyone suspected of collaborating with the Nazis swept Europe. In many instances, however, political and personal motivations led to wides…

Published on 8 years, 10 months ago

Kennedy, the CIA and Vietnam 1960-1963

In November 1963, shortly before he was assassinated, John F Kennedy ordered the overthrow of President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam. Diem, a corrupt authoritarian had become an embarrassment and h…

Published on 8 years, 10 months ago

India and the outbreak of war 1939

In September 1939 Lord Linlithgow, the British Viceroy of India declared war on Nazi Germany without consulting any of India's political parties. The war presented Indian politicians with opportuniti…

Published on 8 years, 10 months ago

The Battle of Amiens, 1918

Following the failure of Germany's last bid to defeat Britain, France and America in the west, a counter offensive took advantage of the Kaiser Army's weakness. The decisive moment, politically and m…

Published on 8 years, 11 months ago

Hitler and the Catholic Church 1933-37

In 1933, as Hitler consolidated his power, he signed an agreement or 'concordat' with the Catholic Church, removing the power of the Papacy from German politics. Within months, however, the deal was …

Published on 8 years, 11 months ago

Radical Politics and British Pop Music 1976-87

For the first time in its history, British popular music became radically politicised in the mid 1970s as a result of the rise of far right racist groups in Britain. This radicalism lasted long into …

Published on 8 years, 11 months ago

From Tito to Milosevic - the breakup of Yugoslavia

What factors led to the destruction of Yugoslavia and the death of 140,000 people over a decade? This podcast examines the mounting tensions that communism's failure unleashed.

Explaining History hel…

Published on 9 years ago