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This is the first of many podcasts exploring the writing of historian Sean McMeekin in his revisionist exploration of the role of the USSR in World War Two. In this episode we examine how conventional ideas about Stalin’s intentions, preparedness and his outlook regarding the prospects of the allied powers against Germany by 1941 need to be revised. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. I
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After six years of Japanese control of Manchuria, and the establishment of control piecemeal across northern China, a skirmish at the Marco Polo bridge near Beijing presented Chiang with a fateful decision, to wage war now against Japan to prevent China further weakening or to ignore the crisis. Chiang knew that China would be forced to fight alone, as there would be no help forthcoming from embattled European democracies or the USA. Nationalist Chinese troops had developed under the tutelage of
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Today’s update takes a sidestep away from Ukraine to look at the historic developments in France, following the defeat of Marine Le Pen and the Front National in Sunday’s presidential election by Emmanuel Macron. 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.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸
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This is the fourth part of my exploration of the Ukraine crisis, and its wider ramifications. Across Europe and America both the Russian Federation and more recently Ukraine have found sympathisers whose support to either side reflects the state of cultural conflicts that have divided western democracies in the past decade. Whether this is by Russian design or not, these divisions and the support from the far right and populist right of the west have benefitted Vladimir Putin immesurably. Explai
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In this special extended feature episode of the Explaining History podcast, I had the great pleasure to chat with Dominic Selwood, author of Anatomy of a Nation: A history of Britain in 50 documents. In this episode we discuss British national identity throughout the post war era and the crisis of identity that marks the Brexit era. You can purchase a copy of the book here.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect th
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The failure of Nazi Germany to seize the small British mediterranean colony of Malta was a significant strategic error. In 1941, Hitler decided not to invade the island and instead decided to put his energies into the seizure of Crete, which he believed would pose a threat to Romania’s oil fields if it remained in British hands. General Erwin Rommel (later promoted to field marshal), had a year of almost unstoppable victories against the British during the 1942, but as he raced across the desert
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In this week’s Ukraine update, I focus on the bigger strategic and geopolitical problems that face a kleptocratic state in Russia and the shortcomings of a Sino-Russian alliance.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.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the C
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After the detection of the Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb test in 1949, the race to create bigger and more destructive weapons led to testing in the wide expanses of Utah and at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. The horrific costs of on civilians of these tests was mirrored by the USSR, which air-detonated bombs in the Urals to see if soldiers on the ground could continue fighting. The effect on the American defence industry of atomic testing was entirely positive however, with a massive arms boom
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China, in the British or American historical memory of the Second World War is rarely seen as an equal allied power, despite the huge sacrifices endured by the Chinese people during the conflict. This is the second part of a series of podcasts based on the work of Dr Rana Mitter, which re-examines China’s wartime role and origins and causes of Japan’s brutal invasion in 1937.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect
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In August 1914, German leaders of the SPD, including the anti war Hugo Hasse accepted the inevitability of conflict and voted against their principals of internationalism and solidarity. The fear of the Rusian army invading Germany, or of state repression against political parties viewed as treacherous or disloyal created the illusion of unity. Elsewhere, the Kaiser appeaeld to all parties as ‘Germans’ to come together in a spirit of national unity and many Germans adopted a seige mentality, bel