The Siècle History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 38: The 221 Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

In 1830, France's slow-moving political crisis builds to a fever-pitch, as King Charles X goes to war with his liberal opposition at home, and the Regency of Algiers abroad. Amid military and electoral campaigns, Charles X will face a decision that could reshape his reign.

The Siècle's 5th anniversary is coming up on January 22, 2024. I'm hosting a special Q&A episode (with a guest moderator you might know!) and want your questions! Please email david (at) thesiecle (dot) com by January 13, 2024, with any questions you want considered for inclusion in that episode — about the show, about 19th Century France, or even about me.

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Episode 37: Algiers Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

In the late 1820s, Napoleonic intrigues and a brutal assault by flyswatter combined to turn French attention across the Mediterranean to the Ottoman Regency of Algiers. Join Prof. Ashley Sanders to explore the cosmopolitan world of Ottoman Algeria that the Bourbon Restoration faced under Charles X.

Pledge as little as $1 per month on Patreon to receive an ad-free feed of the show.

Visit thesiecle.com/episode37 for a full transcript of this episode.

The Siècle is part of the Evergreen Podcasts network.

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Episode 36: Wreck of the Medusa Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

In 1816, the French frigate Medusa ran aground off the coast of Africa, leading to one of the most infamous naval disasters in world history. In the process, it will shine a light on the harsh realities of Bourbon Restoration politics and France's tiny colonial empire.

View thesiecle.com/episode36 for a full annotated transcript, including maps and images.

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Supplemental 18: Bonds, French Bonds Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Follow the money and where does it lead? In the Bourbon Restoration, the financial lifeblood of France was the Paris Stock Exchange, where trading in government bonds made and lost fortunes, secured comfortable retirements, and shook the very ship of state.

I'm joined by historian Tyson Leuchter to break down the role of debt and finance in Restoration life.

Visit thesiecle.com/supplemental18 for a full transcript.

Use coupon code "siecle" at intelligentspeechonline.com to get 10% off your ticket to the 2023 Intelligent Speech Conference — a one-day online conference for history fans, by history podcasters. I'll be among the presenters on Nov. 4, 2023.

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Episode 35: L'Économie Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

France's economy in 1830 stunk. But what does that even mean for an agricultural, pre-modern economy? And how did this bad economy impact France's controversial prime minister Jules de Polignac?

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Episode 34: Polignac Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

On Aug. 8, 1829, a new French ministry was appointed featuring Charles X's friend Jules de Polignac. This made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

Visit thesiecle.com/episode34 for a full transcript of this episode with pictures, links, and 82 annotated footnotes.

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Supplemental 17: Béranger May 03, 2023

Show notes

During the Bourbon Restoration, one man's songs were everywhere. He wrote about politics and about love, for the rich and for the poor, and persevered despite the best efforts of the government to shut him up. Meet the Bob Dylan of the Restoration: Pierre-Jean de Béranger — including audio clips!

This episode is an interview with Prof. Sophie-Anne Leterrier, author of Béranger: des Chansons pour un Peuple Citoyen. Note that Prof. Leterrier is not a native English speaker. As always with The Siècle, you can check out an annotated transcript online at http://thesiecle.com/supplemental17.

My thanks to my Patreon supporters, whose backing enabled me to license recordings for this song and pay to have the interview transcribed. You can join them for as little as $1 per month at patreon.com/thesiecle.

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Episode 33: Martignac Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

Buffeted by a bad election, King Charles X is forced to appoint a more moderate ministry. Can Prime Minister Martignac forge a middle course before his boss gets fed up with concessions?

Support The Siècle for as little as $1 per month on Patreon, or make a one-time donation, online at thesiecle.com/support.

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Supplemental 16: Restoration Elections Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Restoration France had an elected parliament, but its elections were radically different from the voting we're familiar with today. Here's how they did it, from tax-based voting rights to not-so-secret ballots to candidates running and winning in multiple districts at once.

Visit thesiecle.com/supplemental16 for a full transcript of this episode with notes, pictures and charts.

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Episode 32: The Congregation Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

King Charles X's reign was marked by web of conspiracy theories about the alleged role of two secretive Catholic organizations: the Jesuits and the enigmatic Congregation. Let's dive in to what was true, what was false, and why ultimately it didn't really matter what the facts were.

Visit thesiecle.com/episode32 for a full annotated transcript, and Patreon to support the show for as little as $1 per month.

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