Bro History

On today’s episode we discuss how the “way of the samurai” or bushido, fueled the creation of the imperial Japanese nation state.Bushido is supposedly the value system that governed the behavior of Samurai in feudal Japan. It encouraged them to be loyal, courageous , polite, etc. What’s interesting is that the term “bushido” wasn’t really a thing prior to the 1800s. It was an invented concept used to inspire national identity. Come join us to learn more about how “thinkers” use symbols from the past as a tool to create nationalism.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistorySources: Oleg Benesch – Inventing the Way of the Samurai Inazo Nitobe – Bushido, the Soul of Japan Edwin, Reischauer – Japan: Story of Nation K. Henshall – A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower Bushi-NO: The Myth of the Samurai Chivalric Code John Stuart Mill – Considerations on Representative Government Eric Hobsbawm – The Invention of Tradition Basil Hall Chamberlain – The Invention of a New Religion Episode #187 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we dive into Classical Japan’s transition from a strong central government to feudalism.During the Heian period, Japan created a court system mimicking the Tang Dynasty of China. Due to high levels of corruption and crony land politics, the Japanese court system gradually deteriorated into a country ruled by powerful private land owners. Today we discuss how this transition applies to Japan’s national identity.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #186 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we kickoff our series on the creation of the Japanese nation state.On this episode we discuss the first “peoples” of Japan such as the Jōmon and the Yayoi. In addition, we dive into the origins of the first Japanese kingdoms.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #185 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode we discuss how the Chinese Communist Party seized state power during the first half the 20th century.The CCP’s rise as the sole political structure in China was a long and brutal process. In fact, the Chinese Communist Movement was almost completely wiped out on multiple occasions. On this episode, we explore the friction between the CCP and the Chinese Nationalist Party, along with how the CCP survived near extinction.Thomas’s Road to Recovery: https://gofund.me/48d706e6Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #184 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode we discuss the first imperial dynasty of ancient China, the Qin Dynasty.It was founded by Shi Huangdi who operated according to the precepts of Legalism, a political philosophy that called for a strong central government and authoritarian state control. We explore how Shi Huangdi, or Emperor Qin, used Machiavellian principles to consolidate power. We also ask the question – how does legalist philosophy inspire the actions of Xi Jinping.Thomas’s Road to Recovery: https://gofund.me/48d706e6Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #183 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the development of civilization in the Yellow River region of Northern China and the emergence of the Han Chinese.China is a multi-ethnic nation with a population of 1.4 Billion people. The Han Chinese are over 90% of the population. Some anthropologist have described the Han as an amalgamation of many ancient ethnicities that share a cohesive culture.On this episode we explore Ancient China and try to figure out how the Han assimilated so many other groups into their culture.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #182 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the history of the Uyghur people and the creepy Xinjiang re-education camps.Most people think of China as an ethnically homogenous nation-state, however, they would be wrong. There are fifty-six official “nationalities” of China, some with culture values diametrically obsessed with the CCP. This has caused China to go through extreme measures to assimilate some of these groups. In fact, the US officially determined that China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghur Muslims who live in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.The Uyghurs are a Turkic speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic group with a strong national identity, so it’s not surprising that China has labeled them a threat.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #181 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Yemeni Civil War has led to the worst humanitarian crises in the world. According the the UN, 233,000 people have been killed and 7 million more are at risk of famine.In addition, the conflict is incredibly difficult to wrap your head around due to Yemen’s complex history.Today we break down the basics: Yemeni colonial history in the 19th and 20th century How the modern state of Yemen was created. The major players on the ground. The events that led to the breakout of the war in March 2015. Why the war continues to go on. Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #180 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexander III is venerated as one of history’s greatest figures, forging an empire stretching over three continents in just 13 years. However, the man known as “Alexander the Great” showed many dark tendencies thought-out his life time. Some historians suggest that Alexander was a rage-filled, paranoid, alcoholic who potentially suffered from PTSD and possible brain damage.On today’s show, we dive into the factors that could have contributed to Alexander’s bizarre and murderous behavior.Book Discussed: The Madness of Alexander the Great: And the Myth of Military Genius by Richard A. GabrielSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #179 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 19th & 20th century, many German academics idolized Sparta’s rigorous martial education and state structures. In addition, Adolf Hitler once called Sparta “the purest racial State in history” (He would have loved the movie 300). Therefore, it should come at no surprise that Sparta was seen as an ancient prototype of the Nazi state.On todays episode, we explore how the Third Reich built upon longstanding analogies between Germany and Ancient Sparta.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brohistoryEpisode #178 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices