Podcast Episodes
Back to Search
Soviet utopianism and the construction of Stalinist Russia
In the 1930s a generation of young Soviet citizens were motivated to work for the development of a socialist society. Massive urban reconstruction pr…
7 years, 3 months ago
The Ottoman Empire and the First World War 1914 (PT1)
Between August and October 1914, the Ottoman Empire attempted to play both sides in the First World War off against the other. The empire pledged to …
7 years, 4 months ago
Roosevelt, Truman and Cold War diplomacy 1944-46
The death of Roosevelt in 1945 left Harry Truman a politician with limited foreign policy experience surrounded by Roosevelt's top aides and minister…
7 years, 4 months ago
Kazakhstan's Dark Shadows: An interview with journalist Joanna Lillis
This is a special feature length episode of the Explaining History podcast, featuring an interview with Joanna Lillis who brings with her thirteen ye…
7 years, 4 months ago
Britain and conscription 1945-49
In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, Britain's wartime policy of national service continued as a result of Britain's acute need for mi…
7 years, 5 months ago
Utopian thinking and everyday life in Stalin's Russia
Despite the hunger, hardship and terror, a generation of young Soviet citizens were committed to a bright vision of the future where technology conqu…
7 years, 5 months ago
The Battle of Vittorio Venetto - October 1918
Italy's final offensive of the First World War and the only outright victory the Italian army gained, as fought with French and British help but begu…
7 years, 5 months ago
Mao, Stalin and Khrushchev: 1949-57
When Stalin died, Mao felt entitled to lead the world communist movement and looked upon Khrushchev as an insignificant upstart. However, Soviet atti…
7 years, 5 months ago
The Nazi Party and Germany's working class 1933
In 1933 the Nazi Party came to power and encountered a once powerful workers movement that was now deeply weakened and which hoped for compromise. Hi…
7 years, 5 months ago
The Armenian Legionnaires 1914-21
Review of Susan Paul Pattie's Armenian Legionnaires, published by IB Tauris.
Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critica…
7 years, 6 months ago