History That Doesn't Suck

Join Lindsay Cormack, an expert in political science, and historian Lynn Olson as they explore the critical yet underappreciated Americans influencing wartime diplomacy from London. They delve into the transformative relationships forged between FDR and Churchill, highlighting figures like Edward R. Murrow, whose compelling broadcasts during the Blitz changed public perception. Olson emphasizes how these unsung heroes negotiated complex political landscapes, shaping U.S. interventionist policy while countering isolationism and skepticism on both sides of the Atlantic.

The podcast delves into the critical second year of WWII and America's evolving role in the conflict. As Britain struggles against Germany, the Lend-Lease bill becomes a heated topic, with figures like Charles Lindbergh and Wendell Willkie passionately debating its implications. The backdrop of labor strikes and the push for an 'arsenal of democracy' highlight domestic tensions. FDR's secret meetings with Churchill and the development of the Atlantic Charter further explore strategic wartime preparations while rising threats from Japan complicate the landscape.

Professor Greg Jackson shares a personal message about our politically divided times and announces more tour dates for his live show: The Unlikely Union.  This show is not recorded for the podcast. Go to HTDSpodcast.com/live-shows for more information and dates.  Prof. Jackson’s national tour has already been to half of the 50 states, so-called red and blue states, big cities and small towns.  What he’s encountered is everyday people, regardless of their political stripe coming together to share in the telling of the extraordinary history of the first century of our nation. That period from fiery revolution through bloody civil war is– not despite of, but because of its ugly and all but insurmountable challenges– a consoling reminder that we have been through far, far worse times and much greater division than is even imaginable today.  And it's a cautionary tale. Our great strength is our union and our great peril is our division.  The words of the Republican candidate from Illinois for the US Senate spoken in 1858 ring true today:  "A house divided against itself cannot stand." You're damn right, Abe. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war. … I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will.” This is the story of the first year of WWII in the European theater and the United States’ response.  Since the days of President George Washington, the United States has largely held to George Washington’s and Thomas Jefferson’s counsel to avoid “interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe,” and to have “entangling alliances with none.” The nation has dismantled its military built up during the Great War, and many regret ever being a part of it. Then Adolf Hitler invades Poland. Britain and France, realizing the Führer will never stop, declare war and brace for impact. President FDR reassures Americans: the US remains neutral.  That said, the “cash-and-carry” policy soon expands to allow the Allies to purchase US munitions, and as the brief pause known as the “Phoney War” gives way to Nazi Germany’s overrunning country after country—including France—Britain’s in trouble. The new Prime Minister Winston Churchill knows that his country needs American help if they’re to survive and win the war.  With the Old World getting bombarded and blitzkrieged, Franklin Delano Roosevelt becomes gravely concerned. He decides to run for a third term in the White House while trying to persuade Congress and the American people to help the Allies by building an “arsenal of democracy,” even as they hope to avoid war. It’s a tough sell though: can he overcome the United States’s long history of relative isolationism, so adamantly pushed by the new “America First” opposition? Have concerns that the last World War was waged for money left too much baggage to overcome? We’ll find out. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the turbulent rise of Nazi Germany as it embarks on a quest for territorial expansion prior to World War II. Dive into Jesse Owens' groundbreaking performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging racial ideologies. Learn about the strategic annexation of Austria and the failure of European leaders to acknowledge Hitler’s ambitions. Explore Churchill's early warnings against appeasement and the tense prelude to war, culminating in the invasion of Poland. Tensions rise as Hitler's aggression reshapes Europe.

Explore the chilling execution of the Romanov family amid Russia's revolutionary chaos. Discover Joseph Stalin's journey from an unsuspecting choir boy to a ruthless revolutionary. Uncover the intense power struggles between Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin that paved the way for his rise. Dive into Stalin's ambitious First Five-Year Plan, aimed at industrializing the USSR. Learn about the devastating consequences of his policies, including famine and purges that marked his reign of terror and set the stage for future global conflicts.

Explore the haunting prelude to the Holocaust, focusing on the poignant tale of Gisela Kniepel and the ill-fated MS St. Louis. Witness the rise of anti-Semitism through events like the Dreyfus Affair and the establishment of Zionism. Delve into Hitler's early anti-Jewish ideology and the chilling implementation of the Nuremberg Laws. The narrative also highlights the reality of Kristallnacht, a violent pogrom, and the struggle of Jews seeking refuge in America amid growing hatred and political unrest.

Join Professor Greg Jackson on a journey through American history as he announces a nationwide tour celebrating the unlikely union of the original colonies. Discover how thirteen distinct British entities came together and faced intense challenges, including a civil war. This live show, featuring video and musicians, highlights pivotal moments leading to America's remarkable 250th anniversary. Reflect on the unity of the nation’s founders while gaining insights through personal stories from fans across the country.

Explore the fascinating rise of Adolf Hitler from a failed artist to the dictator of Nazi Germany. Delve into how the Treaty of Versailles sparked chaos and fed extremist movements. Witness Hitler's tumultuous early life, marked by betrayal and ambition. Discover the strategic manipulation following the Reichstag fire that allowed him to tighten his grip on power. The chilling reality of the Night of the Long Knives reveals the brutal lengths he took to eliminate threats. Understand the impact of economic desperation and nationalism in shaping this dark era.

Delve into Benito Mussolini's transformation from socialist to the father of fascism in Italy. The episode uncovers his early life, wartime heroics, and how violence helped build his political support. Witness the dramatic rise of the fascist movement and Mussolini's strategic march on Rome. Explore how he cleverly balanced his image as both a revolutionary and a statesman, while dismantling democratic institutions. Lastly, learn about Italy's imperial ambitions in Ethiopia and the controversial alliance with Hitler that would change Europe forever.