Explaining History

Latest Episodes:

The American neoliberal counter revolution 1971-80 Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to the Explaining History Podcast. In this episode, we dive into the American neoliberal counter revolution of the 1970s, a period of profound political and economic change that continues to shape the world we live in today.

During this decade, a new political and economic philosophy emerged, driven by figures like Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics, that sought to roll back the gains of the New Deal and reassert the power of the free market. This movement, called neoliberalism, would have profound effects on American society and on the rest of the world.

In this episode, we explore the key figures and ideas that drove the neoliberal counter revolution, from the deregulation of industries to the privatization of public services, and the resulting increase in income inequality and economic instability. We also examine the political and cultural shifts that accompanied these changes, including the rise of the conservative movement and the decline of labour unions.

Join us as we uncover the complex and often contentious history of the American neoliberal counter revolution of the 1970s, and its lasting impact on our society and economy.

You can access Explaining History Study Guides and Ebooks here

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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The post war women's movement: a global perspective - 1945 Feb 11, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we are exploring the post-war women's movement from a global perspective, focusing on the years 1945 and beyond. The end of World War II marked a turning point for women's rights and activism, as women from all over the world banded together to demand equal treatment and opportunities.

We'll be discussing the key players and events that shaped the post-war women's movement, including the formation of national and international feminist organizations, the impact of decolonization, and the role of women in the workforce.

We'll also examine the challenges that women faced, including resistance from traditional societal norms, cultural and political barriers, and the struggle for reproductive rights.

Join us as we take a comprehensive look at the post-war women's movement, and how it has influenced the fight for gender equality in the decades since.

Check out our expanding learning resources at www.explaininghistory.org

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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Dramatising the Diary of Anne Frank - In conversation with Adam Langer Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Explaining History podcast we sit down with Adam Langer, Editor of the Forward podcast, to discuss their latest show "Playing Anne Frank". We delve into the history of the dramatization of Anne Frank's diary and explore the complex politics of the Holocaust on either side of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. This episode offers a unique perspective on the preservation of Holocaust memory and the impact of politics on cultural narratives. Join us as we gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the play and its place in history.

You can access the show here:

https://forward.com/podcasts/playing-anne-frank/

Also, check out the newly expanded Explaining History site - we're currently adding resources for students of Russian history (with other topics to come soon):

www.explaininghistory.org

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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The Dulles Brothers and Eisenhower - 1954 Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we dive into the story of the Dulles brothers and their impact on the Eisenhower administration in 1954. We explore the backgrounds of John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles, their rise to power, and the key events of their tenure as Secretary of State and Director of the CIA, respectively. We discuss their role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War, including their involvement in the 1954 coup in Guatemala, and the Suez Crisis. We also examine the relationship between the Dulles brothers and President Eisenhower, and the influence they had on his administration.

Key Takeaways:

The Dulles brothers, John Foster and Allen, played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War.
As Secretary of State and Director of the CIA, respectively, the brothers were involved in key events such as the 1954 coup in Guatemala and the Suez Crisis.
The relationship between the Dulles brothers and President Eisenhower was complex, with the brothers often exerting significant influence on his administration.

Discussion Questions:

How did the Dulles brothers' backgrounds and experiences shape their approach to foreign policy?
What were the major events of their tenure, and how did they impact US foreign policy?
How did the Dulles brothers' influence on the Eisenhower administration compare to that of other advisors?

Links and Further Reading:

The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War by Stephen Kinzer
"The Dulles Brothers and the Eisenhower Administration" by Peter Grose in Diplomatic History
"The Dulles Brothers and the Cold War" by David Tal in International History Review

Music credit: "RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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American Empire and the framework of modern capitalism Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Explaining History podcast, we explore the concept of American empire and its role in the framework of modern capitalism, exploring the Making of Modern Capitalism by Leo Panitch and Sam Gindin. The book discusses key points such as the role of the state in modern capitalism, the global power dynamics at play, and the ways in which American empire has shaped the current economic system.

News Update

Are you a student of history looking for extra support and resources? Look no further! We are thrilled to announce that our website, www.explaininghistory.org, now has A level Russian History resources available. Keep an eye out for more subjects being added in the near future.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcast

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Soviet Society and the Great Terror: 1937 Dec 18, 2022

Show notes

During the 1930s, the Soviet Union, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, experienced a wave of repression and terror that came to be known as the Great Terror.

This period saw the widespread use of secret police, forced labor camps, and executions to suppress perceived threats to the regime.

We'll be examining the causes and consequences of the Great Terror, and exploring how it impacted Soviet society and the lives of ordinary people.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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A revisionist approach to the U-Boat War 1939-45 Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

A popular view of the war at sea is that of Britain pushed right to the edge, mounting shipping losses leading to fears of starvation in Britain and possible capitulation. Military historian Max Hastings suggests otherwise, pointing to the shortcomings and failings of Germany's U-Boat fleet and the growing expertise and technological superiority of the allied navies.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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Nationalism and identity in the Austro Hungarian Army 1914 Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

Why did the patchwork Habsburg empire collapse in 1918? The pressures of war and the competing identities and loyalties of the men that fought in the Austo Hungarian armies both have a significant part to play. This podcast explores the overlapping national, regional and ethnic identities, loyalties and ambitions.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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The afterlife of Leon Trotsky's politics 1940-1982 Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

When Leon Trotsky was murdered by NKVD agent Ramon Mercader in 1940, his ideas lived on. The Trotskyist Fourth International and the American Socialist Workers Party in particular claimed (though this was disputed by his widow Natalia) to be the inheritors of his beliefs. Trotsky's critique of the USSR and its capitalist enemies stated that the Russian Revolution had effectively been killed in its infancy, and that instead a bureacratic state had replaced a revolutionary society. Some of Trotsky's former disciples eventually distanced themselves from his beliefs, embracing American conservatism and free market capitalism, most famously the recanting revolutionary James Burnham.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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Explaining History Study Extra: Lenin's Death and its consequences Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Explaining History Study Extra, we explore Lenin's death and the consequences for the power struggle to succeed him. We examine the legacy of the New Economic Policy and War Communism and the divisions in the party they led to.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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