History That Doesn't Suck

“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.

“Italy, Gentlemen, wants peace, wants quiet, wants work, wants calm; we will give it with love, if that be possible, or with strength, if that be necessary.” This is the story of Italy’s Benito Mussolini’s creation of fascism and rise to power in interwar Italy. Benito starts life the way his father intended—as a socialist—and the often moving, young schoolteacher quickly emerges as a leading voice in the movement as he’s entrusted to serve as the editor of one of the party’s most important newspapers. But the Great War changes that. Benito supports it, the party doesn't, and by the conflict’s end, the returned soldier has a new idea—one that takes him across the political spectrum, all the way from the Marxist left to the nationalist far-right—a violent, war-glorifying, anti-democratic, one-party, dictatorial version of nationalism. He calls it “fascism.”  Benito speaks of order. Economic prosperity. National pride. Some see his black-clad fighting squads, known as “Blackshirts,” as their saviors from the far-left’s communism, so feared in the wake of the recent Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. Indeed, many Italians welcome his march on Rome and his growing powers as Prime Minister, and celebrate his foreign policy achievements, including a reconciliation between Italy and the Vatican.  But as Benito kills Italy’s constitutional monarchy in all but name as he turns into a dictator, conquers Ethiopia, ignores the League of Nations, and bonds with Germany’s rising dictator Adolf Hitler, former allies are growing concerned. Some fear his anti-democratic path will also embolden Germany. As W.E.B. Du Bois questions: “If Italy takes her pound of flesh by force, does anyone suppose that Germany will not make a similar attempt?” Only time will tell. 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. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com 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

General James E. Rainey, Commanding General of U.S. Army Futures Command, brings a wealth of military experience as he discusses pivotal interwar preparations for World War II. He shares insights on the B-17 bomber's development and how historical lessons shape today's Army's strategies. As the conversation unfolds, Rainey emphasizes the importance of leadership, technological advancements, and the need for critical thinking in preparing for future conflicts. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how past actions inform modern military readiness.

Dive into the thrilling tale of early American aviation, from the Wright brothers' groundbreaking flight to the daring exploits of Amelia Earhart. Explore the mystery of her fateful last journey and the rise of barnstorming that made flying accessible to many. Learn about Charles Lindbergh’s iconic transatlantic flight and how it shaped commercial aviation, alongside Howard Hughes' ambitious contributions. This is a captivating look at how pioneers transformed the skies, igniting an era of flight that changed the world forever!

Dive into the thrilling race to erect the tallest skyscraper in New York City during the late 1920s. Experience the intense rivalry between architects William Van Alen and Craig Severance, fueled by ambition and innovation. Marvel at the breathtaking designs of the Chrysler and Manhattan Company Buildings, while a dark horse—the Empire State Building—emerges to dominate the skyline. Discover the drama, secrecy, and technological feats that defined this iconic chapter of architectural history. It's a battle of egos and engineering that reshaped a city's horizon.