Empire: World History

Latest Episodes:

78. The Battle of the Spies Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

The rivalry between Russia and Britain continues to grow as both of their attentions begin to centre more and more on Afghanistan. In a bid to gain influence in the region, both empires send young, daring spies to infiltrate the region. Alexander Burnes and Jan Prosper Vitkevich will both battle to gain the upper hand. Listen as William and Anita discuss these two spies and their thrilling roles in the Great Game.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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77. The Great Game Begins Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

It will all begin on the banks of the River Niemen. Tsar Alexander forms a pact with Napoleon; the Russian Empire, along with the French, will try to take control of British India. The British increasingly become nervous about losing their prized possession and hostile towards Russia. What will follow has come to be known as the Great Game in Britain and the Tournament of Shadows in Russia. It is the ultimate imperial rivalry; Britain and Russia, the two greatest powers of the day, vying for control of the centre of the world. Listen as William and Anita tell the story of the origins of this battle for power.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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76. The Empress & The General Aug 31, 2023

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With her reign in peril in three separate arenas, Catherine begins to turn her attention to a young soldier, Grigory Potemkin. What follows is one of the great partnerships (and love affairs) of history. Together, they consolidate her rule then rapidly expand; seizing vast parts of modern Ukraine, annexing Crimea, building Kherson and Sevastopol, and taking the Russian Empire to its apogee. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Simon Sebag Montefiore for the final time as they tell the tale of the Russian Empire’s finest moment.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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75. Catherine the Great: The Golden Age Aug 29, 2023

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Not a drop of Russian blood. A woman in a world ruled by men. A loveless marriage to a man who lacked even a shred of empathy. The odds were always stacked against Catherine the Great when she arrived from Prussia. But this German Princess and child of the Enlightenment was a political genius who possessed charm, beauty and impeccable people skills. All these were needed as she rose to power to become Empress of Russia and ushered in a golden age. Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the life of Catherine the Great.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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74. Peter the Great: The First Emperor Aug 24, 2023

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A giant of Russian history, and a giant of a man. Peter the Great, standing at 6'8, established Russia as the world power that it is today and is famously one of Vladimir Putin's inspirations. He expanded Russia's borders, modernised the state, and built St Petersburg from a swamp. Yet with all this, he still found time for drunken debauchery of the most absurd level; he enjoyed dwarf-throwing, wheelbarrow racing, and creating the position of Archdeacon Fuck-Off for his ministers. Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the quite unbelievable life of Peter the Great, the first emperor of Russia.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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73. Ivan the Terrible and the Founding of Russia Aug 22, 2023

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Subjected, downtrodden, brutalised. The principality of Muscovy had long suffered at the hands of the Mongols. But as their overlords weaken, their ruler, Ivan the Great, begins to lead the Muscovites to freedom. Come 1533, it is time for his descendant, Ivan the Terrible to rule. A man known to enjoy hanging people by their ribs, and drowning people under river ice, will his taste for torture throw everything into chaos? Or will he expel the Mongols once and for all, laying the foundations of the Russian Empire? Listen as William and Anita are joined by Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the early days of Russia and its empire.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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72. The Russian Empire and the Great Game Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

The story of the Russian Empire spans centuries and continents. It is one of tsars and revolutionaries. Sex and power. Invasions and conquests.

In the new season, William and Anita will explore the roots, deeds, and legacy of one the largest empires to ever exist. From the first Russian invasion of Ukraine, to the birth of Asian nationalism, with the original retreat from Kabul in between; this will leave you stunned.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/empirepod.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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71. Nazis, reparations, and laws 'just for the English to see' Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Did the Nazis use slave labour? Should Britain pay reparations? What is the origin of the Portuguese phrase 'just for the English to see'? What was the role of Islam in abolition? Listen as William and Anita answer these questions and more...

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

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Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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70. The Haitian Revolution, Dutch royals, and what happened to the Caribs? Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

What happened to the Caribs, the indigenous people of the Caribbean? Why did indentured labour become so prominent? What is the current Dutch monarchy's approach to slavery? Did Native Americans keep slaves? Listen as William and Anita answer your questions.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/empirepod.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

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69. A Reckoning with Slavery Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Slavery may have been abolished in 1838, but its legacy lives on in Britain today. A lot of the nation benefited financially from the trade, none more so than the slaveholders who were compensated during abolition. Today, William and Anita are joined by Alex Renton, whose family were such beneficiaries. Listen as he argues that slavery is not ancient history: it's a bit of our past that still haunts the present in real and tangible ways.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/empirepod.

Twitter: @Empirepoduk

Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com

Goalhangerpodcasts.com

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices