Empire: World History

Latest Episodes:

88. The Russo-Japanese War: Asia Strikes Back Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

1905 was one of the most pivotal moments in history. Japan, the supposedly weaker Asian power, overwhelmingly defeated the mighty Russian Empire. The effects of this rippled through the 20th century, inspiring nationalism across Asia. The Indian independence movement, through figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Tagore, took direct inspiration from it, as did Chinese nationalists like Sun Yat-Sen. Russia was equally rocked by this disastrous defeat, putting it well on the road to revolution. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Pankaj Mishra to discuss this epochal moment in the history of Asia and the world.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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87. Tolstoy: War and the Russian Empire Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Tolstoy was one of the greatest writers of all time. His books have constructed how we think about Russian imperial history. But he was not just an observer, he was also a participant. As a young man, Tolstoy fought in several of Russia's imperial wars– against the Chechens and the Ottoman Turks, then against both the French and the British in the Crimea. As he matured he grew far more critical of Russian Empire building and lamented the futility of war and conquest. His writings were a driver of the growing disillusionment with tsarism, and he began to be censored by the regime. So great was his influence that Lenin himself wrote about his role in the Russian Revolution. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Tolstoy's biographer Rosamund Bartlett to unpick this remarkable life.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill + Tabby Syrett

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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86. Crushing the Khans: Russia Seizes the Centre of the World Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

As the other European empires were consolidating their holdings in Asia, Russia took 1.5million square miles of territory. Moving south from the Orenburg line, the Russian Empire swallowed up the Khanates of Central Asia with minimal casualties to their own troops. Depicting the citizens of Kokhand, Khiva, and Bokhara as insolent and inferior, this conquest serves as one of classic European colonialism. Listen as William and Anita delve into the story of the conquest of Central Asia.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill + Tabby Syrett

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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85. The Russian Conquest of America Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

In the 18th century Vitus Bering went from Russia's east coast and landed in America. Over the next 150 years, Russia colonised more and more land, first taking Alaska and then working down America's west coast, eventually claiming areas as far south as California. Whilst this venture did fail, this failure was not inevitable. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Owen Matthews to discuss the most improbable story of Russia and its (almost successful) attempts to colonise large parts of America.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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84. A Tale of Two Nurses: Seacole & Nightingale Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

The Lady with the Lamp, the great nurse who forever changed public health for the better: Florence Nightingale lives large in the national consciousness. Mary Seacole, however, has been largely forgotten by history, even though she too played a significant role in the Crimean War. Both were lauded by the press. Both were famous in Britain upon their return. Remarkable forces of will, both were women ahead of their time. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Helen Rappaport to discuss the lives of these inspirational women.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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83. The Charge of the Light Brigade Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

The Crimean War continues to drag on. The allies' siege of Sevastopol is grinding to a stalemate. The Russians seek to counterattack to tip the balance back in their favour. As they make gains at Balaclava, the British cavalry undertake one of the most tragically heroic actions in British history: the Charge of the Light Brigade. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Orlando Figes to discuss the end of the Crimean War, the impact it had upon Russia, and the shadow it still casts today.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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82. Crimea: The War on Repeat Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

A slow grind of sieges and massacres. Long distance bombardments and gruelling inch-by-inch trench warfare. Battles for Sevastopol, Odessa, and control of the Black Sea. Is it 1853 or 2023? The parallels between the Crimean War and what is happening now in Ukraine are startling. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Orlando Figes to discuss this totemic 19th century clash and all of its modern-day resonances.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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81. The Graveyard of Empires Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

After the calamitous retreat from Kabul left thousands of British dead, the East India Company wants revenge. They will call upon the Army of Retribution which will leave Afghanistan, once the Crossroads of Civilisation, a desolate wasteland. But once the last sepoy has descended the Khyber Pass, who will rule Afghanistan - and how will the Russians respond? Listen as William and Anita finish the story of the First Anglo-Afghan War and discuss whether Afghanistan really is the Graveyard of Empires, and whether China will be the next foreign power to burn its fingers in the Afghan furnace.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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80. 1842: The Retreat from Kabul Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

As the British occupation of Kabul collapses, the troops flee. What follows is one of the darkest events in British imperial history. A treacherous journey through mountain passes in crippling winter conditions leaves the British at the mercy of the Afghan forces. Over 15,000 men, women, and children leave the capital, legend says only one man survives. Listen as William and Anita discuss the bloody, brutal, first retreat from Kabul.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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79. Invading Afghanistan: The Return of a King Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

It is 1839 and Britain has declared its intention: to invade Afghanistan and return Shah Shuja to the throne. Despite its vast size, the British invasion force is not impressive. Overstocked with luxuries and understocked with necessities, how will it fare as it enters the Bolan Pass and the inhospitable terrain of Afghanistan? Listen as William and Anita tell the Return of a King.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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