Liverpool's modern history is one of struggle, adversity and community and today we hear from David Swift, author of Scouse Republic: An alternative history of Liverpool. In the 1980s the city was in deep economic decline from its Victorian heyday as one of the world's busiest ports. Liverpool's radical identity was forged by the ideological battles of the decade and from the predations of Margaret Thatcher's Tory government and its supporters in the press, namely the Sun Newspaper. *****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:14
The Battle of the Ebro: Part Two
Continued from yesterday's episode, we read again from Adam Hochschild's brilliant book Spain in Our Hearts, about the overwhelming odds faced by the International Brigades in Spain as they crossed the Ebro River in the Republic's last attempt to hold off the fascist generals and attract the support of the British and the French. The agreement at Munich over the fate of Czechoslovakia signalled that the British and French had no interest in fighting to save Spain from Hitler's proxies. *****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25:38
The Battle of the Ebro: Part One
In 1938, the fascist generals who had launched their insurrection two years earlier had divided the country but had not been able to seize Madrid. The Republican government was running out of fuel, arms and options, and decided on one last roll of the dice. Juan Negrin and his government agreed to send their army, including the International Brigades, across the River Ebro to strike deep into Nationalist territory, in the hope that a solid victory would inspire the British and the French at least to drop the arms embargo or to engage in a wider anti fascist war that seemed certain to engulf Europe. *****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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24:00
The planned break up of Iran
Here’s a polished episode description based on Michael Hudson's blog post:🎙️ Episode Description: In this compelling episode, we dive into Michael Hudson’s incisive analysis of the escalating U.S.–Iran confrontation. Drawing from Hudson’s recent essay on Naked Capitalism, we uncover how America's strategic confrontation with Iran is deeply tied to control over oil-rich regions and global financial dynamics (nakedcapitalism.com).In this episode, we explore:📈 The Resource-Imperial Link: Hudson argues that the U.S. aims to establish “client oligarchies” in Iran and its neighbors, consolidating control over Near Eastern oil—a cornerstone of American economic and geopolitical clout 💵 Financial Levers of Power: We analyze how control over oil also translates into influence over vast foreign-held U.S. Treasury and private-sector investments, reinforcing U.S. hegemony🌍 Historical Echoes & Modern Strategy: Contextualizing these trends within the broader arc of post‑1945 U.S. foreign policy—from petrodollar dominance to the “America First” doctrine.Why It Matters: Hudson contends this clash isn’t just a geopolitical conflict—it’s a strategic economic maneuver aimed at reshaping global resource flows and finance. These converging pressures could lock the Middle East into a pattern of U.S. dominance, with lasting implications for international stability and economic sovereignty.Tune in to hear a full breakdown of Hudson’s argument on how energy, economics, and military policy intertwine in this critical flashpoint.*****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:18
Trump and the lesson of 2008
*****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:What did the 2008 world financial crisis teach America's elite classes about the future of American capitalism? The collapse of American financial institutions under the weight of accounting fraud, unserviceable private debts combined with a deindustrialised America and an increasingly atomised and impoverished population indicated to the USA's monied classes that imperial growth was no longer viable. Instead, a country based bail outs for corporations, corruption and a steady abandonment of America's international commitments was sought and then in 2016 a faded reality TV star and notorious crook began to appeal to the anger and desperation many Americans felt. Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Explaining History Podcast, created and hosted by Nick Shepley, offers a comprehensive exploration of 20th-century history through weekly episodes. For over a decade, this podcast has been providing students and history enthusiasts with in-depth analyses of key events, processes, and debates that shaped the modern world.The podcast covers a wide range of topics within 20th-century history, including:- Major historical events like World Wars I and II, The rise and fall of communism, fascism and imperialism- Political movements and ideologies- Economic developments and crises- Social and cultural changesEpisodes typically run for about 25 minutes, offering concise yet informative discussions on specific subjects. The podcast invites listeners to engage with complex historical topics in manageable segments, making it ideal for students and busy history enthusiasts.Expert InsightsNick frequently invites expert guests to contribute their knowledge and perspectives, enriching the podcast with diverse viewpoints and specialized expertise. This approach helps listeners understand the competing debates and interpretations surrounding historical events and processes.Educational FocusThe podcast is particularly valuable for students, especially those studying A-level history. It offers targeted content aligned with specific curricula, such as the AQA syllabus for Russian history. This educational focus makes it an excellent supplementary resource for formal history studies.Chronological ApproachWhile the podcast primarily focuses on the 20th century, it adopts a chronological approach to storytelling. This method allows listeners to follow the progression of events and understand how different historical moments are interconnectedEngaging PresentationNick's presentation style combines rigorous historical analysis with an engaging narrative approach. The podcast aims to not only inform but also captivate listeners, making complex historical topics accessible and interesting to a broad audienceBy offering this mix of comprehensive content, expert insights, and engaging presentation, the Explaining History Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of 20th-century history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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