The China History Podcast

This time we look at eunuchs in the Tang from Xuanzong to hapless Emperor Ai. We'll see how it was a long hard downhill slide once Xuanzong let Gao Lishi amass so much power. Subsequent emperors were either too weak or too young to push back against eunuchs who, once given an inch of authority, took a mile more and never let go. They grew in power and venality at the expense of the dynasty's fortunes. Finally they drove it into the ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This topic was coming sooner or later. Laszlo offers up another general overview of Chinese history, this time with eunuchs serving as the prism to view it all. In this episode we'll look at the story of the maybe/maybe not eunuch/official from the Qin Dynasty Zhao Gao and his antics trying to cover up the sudden and unexpected death of Qin Shihuang. Then we'll finish off with eunuchs in the Later Han including the rise and fall of the Ten Attendants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time Laszlo introduces an outstanding Chinese-American scientist who will be honored in the United States on February 11, 2021 with a new commemorative postage stamp. Dr. C.S. Wu came to America in 1936 and due to circumstances in her homeland, ended up staying in the US for good. She made many contributions in the field of physics and worked on the Manhattan Project. Dr. Wu was role model and tireless campaigner for encouraging young women to study the sciences and for equal rights. Her's was a great American success story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We bring this light but informative series about the history of the Thai Chinese to a close in this 7th episode. This time we wind things down with events that happened during and after WWII with a patented CHP rush to the finish with Thailand's role in the region as a modern economic powerhouse. Thanks, everyone for listening. In the years to come, I plan to return to Thai Chinese history and do some deeper dives into some of the people and events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laszlo continues on with this light but a satisfying overview of the Thai-Chinese. With Field Marshal Phibun in charge in Bangkok, the flames of Thai nationalism are being furiously fanned and the ethnic Chinese inhabitants of Siam are feeling the heat. But with the ultimate defeat of Japan, the Chinese can finally breathe a sigh of relief....or could they?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We leave the 19th century and focus on the events in Siam during the early 20th century. This time we look at some of the histories that happened during the reigns of the progressive king and friend to the Thai Chinese King Chulalongkorn and his son, the not so friendly to the Thai Chinese King Vajiravudh. Whenever flames of nationalism are fanned, certain elements of society are bound to get burnt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laszlo continues on with the second half of the 18th century, a prosperous time for the Kingdom of Siam. With all this unprecedented good fortune sloshing around the kingdom thanks to free trade, the demand for labor drew waves of Chinese immigration to this western edge of the South Seas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this 261st episode, we'll take the Thai Chinese history a little further up the timeline to the Thonburi Kingdom of Taksin the Great and into the Chakri Dynasty with King Rama I. After shaking things up profoundly in China, the Age of Imperialism will now come knocking on Siam's door. As before and in the years to follow, Siam's ethnic Chinese proved to be a formidable force in keeping the ship of state afloat and prospering while colonialism raged across Southeast Asia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More 18th-century Thai history. King Phetracha to the end of the Ayudhya Kingdom. The ethnic Chinese contribution to building the foundation of the Thai economy is legendary. Here's where it all began. During this period China, ruled by the Manchu Qing emperors was on a major roll, and Ayudhyan kings were anxious to be friends with Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. Having the Thai-Chinese around came in handy in a very big way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a new series that may or may not take us to the end of 2020, Laszlo looks at the great Kingdom of Thailand and the history of the Chinese immigrants who decided to call that place home. In this Part 1 episode of the new series, we'll focus on the goings-on in the Chinese community during the Ayudhya Kingdom (1350-1767) up to the time of King Phetracha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices