
History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett
Rudyard Lynch, creator of the enormously popular YouTube channel WhatifAltHist joins Austin Padgett every week to offer a deeper understanding of critical moments in history. Together they identify patterns in order to predict the future and understand the dynamics that result in civilizations rising and falling.We cover WW1, WW2, Classical Greece, Medieval Islam, the rise of Communism, and more.History 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co
Latest episodes

May 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
WW2 in the Pacific
Rudyard Lynch, creator of WhatifAltHist, teams up with entrepreneur Erik Torenberg to dissect the dynamics of World War II in the Pacific. They delve into Japan's rapid militaristic expansion fueled by nationalism and its complex history with China. Key discussions highlight Japan's strategic ambitions leading to the Sino-Japanese War and the military dilemma faced during the conflict. The conversation wraps up with reflections on Japan's wartime atrocities and the lasting implications of the war on global power structures and post-war Japan.

May 7, 2024 • 57min
WW2
This episode of History 102 features a comprehensive analysis of World War II. WhatifAltHist creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg discuss the build-up to the war, including the aftermath of World War I and the conditions in Europe that led to the rise of Hitler. Recommendations for further reading on the subject are provided, enhancing understanding of the war's complex aspects and its lasting impact on global history.-SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLEMore than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning.Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzenOracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive–Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple–This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.–FOLLOW ON X:@whatifalthist (Rudyard)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@TurpentineMedia–HIGHLIGHTS:
Hitler's Goal: Conquering Eastern Europe
Blitzkrieg: Rapid Conquest
Hitler's Strategic Miscalculations
Exploring the Eastern Front: The Turning Point of WWII
The Holocaust: A Horrific Atrocity
Recommended Books:
The Second World War by John Keegan
The Second World War: A Complete History by Martin Gilbert
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer
Bloodlands by Timothy Snyder
The Dictators: Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia by Richard Overy, Ph.D.
Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time by Caroll Quigley
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6 snips
Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 5min
The Spanish Empire
Historical experts Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg discuss the Spanish Empire's impact, including extractive policies, colonization consequences, contrasting wealth creation mindsets with England, Spanish conquests of the Aztecs and Incas, and philosophical reflections on Latin American history.

9 snips
Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
Rise of Rome
Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg explore the rise of Rome, discussing themes of decadence, social cohesion, and the cyclical nature of civilizations. They compare Japanese and Roman cultures, examine societal patterns, and highlight Rome's contributions to Western civilization. The episode also covers Rome's victories in the Punic Wars and offers book recommendations on Roman history.

7 snips
Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 2min
The US Civil War
Delving into the US Civil War, topics include: causes, key battles, industrial revolution's influence, North vs. South beliefs, international powers, turning points, war reflections, aftermath, and reconstruction era

7 snips
Apr 9, 2024 • 35min
World War III: Potential Outcomes
In this episode which was first aired on Whatifalthist’s podcast, Rudyard Lynch explores the hypothetical scenario of World War III, analyzing potential winners, front lines, and geopolitical alliances.---SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLEMore than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning.Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzenOracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive–--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple–This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.–FOLLOW ON X:@whatifalthist (Rudyard)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@TurpentineMedia–TIMESTAMPS:
Exploring the What Ifs and Changing Perspectives of World War III
Theoretical Alliances and Their Strengths
Potential Flashpoints and Concerns
The Unpredictability of Predicting the Future
Imagining a Scenario: China's Invasion of Taiwan
The Realities of Modern Warfare and Technology
Reevaluating China's Military and Social Stability
The Complex Terrain of Potential Conflicts
A New Type of War: Demographic and Economic Battles
Concluding Thoughts and the Future of Warfare
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 snips
Mar 26, 2024 • 43min
The Coming Chinese Revolution
Exploring China's impending socio-economic crisis, the podcast predicts revolution, Maoist resurgence, civil war, and economic gridlock. It delves into societal challenges, economic disparities, authoritarian oppression, and potential war with the US. Foreboding predictions highlight China's future transformation due to an aging population and rural lifestyle shift.

10 snips
Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 27min
A New Civil War?
Explore the potential of a new civil war in the U.S. and a revolution in China through economic, demographic, and behavioral analysis. Discuss historical patterns, interdisciplinary approaches, and inspiration from science fiction authors like Frank Herbert. Dive into predictive models for revolutions, elite fractures, and societal conflicts, with insights into global political turbulence and the analogy of cameras in analytical thinking.

28 snips
Mar 12, 2024 • 55min
Modern China
Discover the rich tapestry of China's history, from its isolation as the 'Middle Kingdom' to the profound shifts caused by encounters with Western powers. Explore the dramatic consequences of the Opium Wars, which led to national humiliation and urban transformation. Unpack the tug of war between nationalism and communism through the tumultuous periods of the Taiping Rebellion and Mao's regime. Finally, delve into how Deng Xiaoping's reforms reshaped China's global role, influencing modern geopolitics and its status as a superpower.

11 snips
Mar 5, 2024 • 55min
Colonial America
Exploring critical moments in colonial American history, the podcast delves into the formation of regional cultures, the foundation of modern America, and lesser-studied elements before the revolution. They analyze how American culture has been shaped by its history and allude to a civil war predictor based on historical patterns.
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