In Phillip Knightley's seminal account of war reporting 'The First Casualty', the British came to excel in distorting war reporting and influencing public thinking, presenting the war as the 'Great struggle for civilisation' Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1939 American diplomats were certain that Britain and France faced defeat and Roosevelt would have to play the role of peace broker. A new prime minister in 1940, Winston Churchill, spoke the language of defiance and struggle that impressed the US president and was key in securing American aid. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After eight years of devastating war with Japan, China found an uncertain peace in the summer of 1945, which would soon come crashing down. The civil war between the Nationalists and Communists was temporarily suspended, but intervention from the USA and the USSR gave both sides the resources to resume the conflict.Please support Explaining History via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=763386&utm_campaign=creatorshare2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The outbreak of war in the Korean peninsula in 1950 was preceded by half a decade of careful consideration by Stalin and an desire by Mao to take on the capitalist world. Prior to this, Korea had been an afterthought for the Soviet dictator, who was more interested in affairs in Europe. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The horrors of the Holocaust have shaped how we see Germany and Europe's Jews, mainly as victims. However, German Jews were among the most emancipated and assimilated diasporas in the world prior to 1914 and significantly contributed to German national life. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitler's war industries experienced critical manpower shortages throughout the war and the solution was to import millions of foreign workers from allied and conquered territories. However, this profoundly altered German society during the conflict. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1968 a new wave of political purges began, following two years of anarchy in the Cultural Revolution. This time, young people were sent to be ideologically transformed through hard labour in the countryside. Many embraced this new life, but for most, the reality was misery and back breaking labour. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, a skeptical Harry Truman abolished America's only spy agency the OSS, without a replacement. Within two years, as British military and intelligence power declined, Truman discovered the need for a new organisation was paramount. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Australia adapt to the decline of the British Empire and the challenges of the Cold War, while seeking to contain its own oppressive racial policies during the 1960s? Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British government had a long standing suspicion of the powers of broadcasting when the BBC was established in 1922. The experience of the General Strike, however, established the BBC as the most effective means of disseminating hegemonic ideas in Britain. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1939 Franklin Roosevelt struggled against the popularity of isolationism in the USA and his plans to aid Neville Chamberlain's Britain and Eduard Daladier's France were crippled by half a decade of neutrality acts Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first two years of the First World War, German society was largely unified in fear of external enemies, particularly Russia. However, by 1916 this unity had broken down and major social and political divisions - along with economic and political crises emerged. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the death of the dictator and the end of Stalinism, different Warsaw Pact members attempted to solve their economic problems by building consumer societies. Each met with varying degrees of short term success and long term failure. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often seen as a failed experiment in state 'moral' control, prohibition was the product of Christian, industrial and suffragist pressure. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reviewing books by Linda Colley, Benedict Anderson and David Reynolds on the development of British national identity Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo on June 28th 1914, Austria demanded concessions form Serbia. Germany's support would prove pivotal in transforming a Balkan crisis into a European war. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By 1940, the British had no other way of taking the fight directly to the enemy than aerial bombing. In the four years that followed, bombing became a controversial but essential aspect of the allied war effort, even though targeting civilians became a specific objective Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Strengthening Movement resulted in rapid economic development, but also fierce resistance from China's traditionalists. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reviewing the new biography of Ronald Reagan, US president and figurehead of the conservative revolution. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Review of Laura Trevelyan's biography of the Winchester repeating rifle Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 rose to dominance. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Wednesday's review is Gotham Rising, a cultural history of New York in the 1930s, by Jules Stewart Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 across China. In reality, Mao was engendering the first phase of a civil war that would rage until his death a decade later. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 time, Britain was engaged in another hurried departure from India. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's book review is an excellent and incisive analysis of the cultural history of black power in America by Rafael Torrubia. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the decades before the First World War, the role that public opinion and the press in forming the foreign policy of European powers became considerably more decisive. This podcast explores how and why. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The monthly book review returns, with a review of Battles for Freedom - the essays of Eric Foner for the Nation magazine 1977-2015 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the late 1970s, after a decade of economic stagnation, western economies, accompanied by China, began the first steps towards the abandonment of the Bretton Woods system and social democracy. They replaced it with the current model of global economics, neoliberalism. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1947 the last of the Nuremberg trials began. The accused were German industrialists from the chemicals cartel IG Farben. Prosecutors charged them with using slave labour at their bunawerk factory during the Second World War - Auschwitz Monowitz. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The development of British national identity in the 20th Century is intimately connected with conflict. War has provided a unifying force that has held together an inherently fissile union throughout the century. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stalin and his chief henchman Lavrenti Beria poured resources from a devastated USSR into the creation of an atomic bomb from 1945 onwards. The development of the bomb rested on Soviet espionage and the ability of scientists to experiment and work without ideological controls. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1944 at Bretton Woods in the USA a new model of the world economy that would provide postwar stability and prosperity was devised. However, the compromises and plans of the USA meant that the system created a fatal flaw, leaving it to unravel by 1971. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between 1958-1962 Mao's second five year plan, known as the Great Leap Forward, resulted in economic chaos and a famine that killed over 40 million people. It was in part inspired by Mao's attempts to eclipse Soviet leader Khrushchev as the leader of the communist world. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a slight change from our regular episodes, I've interviewed study specialist and coach Lucy Parsons to offer her knowledge on how to prepare for history exams and what skills are needed to excel at A level. Coming on Friday: Berlin and Willy Brandt.You can find out more about Lucy's academic coaching @ http://lifemoreextraordinary.com Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. This podcast explores the long and short term causes of the crisis. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Catholic, nationalist and militarist parties and societies proliferated, but it took a German invasion in 1940 to create a fascist government in France in the guise of the Vichy regime. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 out of the crisis. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 widespread violence and killing. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 his lack of support meant the likelihood of a communist takeover in Vietnam was steadily growing. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 opportunities to further their agendas and the British used divide and rule tactics to maintain their control.* visit www.audiopi.co.uk and use the discount code Explain for ten percent off all podcasts and subscriptions. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 militarily came on August 8th 1918 with the Battle of Amiens, after which Germany's leaders saw the war as unwinnable. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 abandoned and persecution of the church began. This podcast explores the reasons for the Nazis betrayal of the church. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the 1980s, ending with the advent of New Labour. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By the late 1960s anxieties over rapid social change and racial tensions promoted a conservative backlash against the perceived permissiveness of the decade. Richard Nixon and then Ronald Reagan used the criminalisation of drugs to present themselves as defenders of American values but the consequences of their policies in America and beyond have been catastrophic. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.