How and Why History

Genghis Khan was one of the most feared and most famous warrior kings in history. But how did he rise to power to become the Emperor of the Mongol Empire? How did he unite many of the nomadic tributes of North-East Asia, and then conquer most of Eurasia? Why is he considered a hero in modern-day post-Communist Mongolia? Rob Weinberg asks the big questions about this notorious figure to military historian Major Gordon Corrigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having led the parliament of England’s armies against King Charles I, and seen to it that the king was executed, Oliver Cromwell went on to rule the British Isles as Lord Protector from 1653 to 1658. But how did Cromwell rise to play his part in the overthrow of the monarchy? Why did he take on Ireland and Scotland? And why is he now considered one of the ten greatest Britons of all time? Rob Weinberg asks the big questions about this controversial figure to historian Dr. Rebecca Warren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the aftermath of World War II, including the rebuilding of shattered nations, the economic and political impacts of the war, the support for Germany, the movement of people, and the lasting impact and memory of the war.

In the Middle Ages, the Holy Land, as well as sites in Europe and around Britain became popular sites for pilgrimage. It was believed that praying at shrines or in front of holy relics could absolve you of your sins, cure your illnesses, or help you on the way to heaven. Why was pilgrimage so important in the Middle Ages? To find out, History Hit’s Rob Weinberg went to Canterbury Christ Church University to speak to Dr. Sheila Sweetinburgh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Germany was divided and, as the Cold War escalated, a concrete barrier physically and ideologically divided Berlin. But how did Berlin come to be split by a wall? How did East Germans try to get across into the West? And how did the Wall finally come down. History Hit’s Laura McMillan asks the big questions to Dr. Katrin Schreiter, Lecturer in German and European Studies at Kings College London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1597, King James VI of Scotland published a compendium on witchcraft called Daemonologie that laid down the kind of trial and punishment these practices merited. But why was there a witch craze in Europe? How were witch hunts triggered? Who were the victims? And why did witch trials spread to America? History Hit’s Rob Weinberg asks the big questions on this dark but fascinating period to Professor Miri Rubin of Queen Mary University of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 6 August 1945, an American B29 bomber dropped the world's first deployed atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Three days later, Nagasaki was at the receiving end of a second American A-bomb. Why did America decide to hit Japan with two atomic bombs? Why were these two cities the targets? What were the implications for ending World War II and starting the Cold War? History Hit’s Rob Weinberg puts the big questions about this seminal event to Kevin Ruane, Professor of Modern History at Canterbury Christ Church University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy was the public face of a period in which Cold War tensions fuelled fears in the United States of widespread Communist subversion. McCarthy believed Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the US federal government, universities and even extended into Hollywood. But why did America fear communism so much? Who was McCarthy? Why were so many film stars and writers targeted? Rob Weinberg puts the big questions about this critical period to Dr. Mitch Goodrum of Canterbury Christ Church University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlemagne, one of history's most ruthless warriors, united much of Europe. The podcast explores his empire, his promotion of Christianity, and his impact on the medieval and modern world. It also discusses his conquest of the Saxons and his coronation as emperor. Charlemagne's legacy inspired Adolf Hitler, making him a hugely influential figure in history.

In the Middle Ages, Christian monasteries played an integral role in the generation and spread of knowledge. Scholarship flourished behind monastery walls and monks became experts in a wide range of fields, including astronomy, medicine, even beer-making and beekeeping. But how and why did monasteries became such important centres of learning and literacy? Rob Weinberg asks the big questions about this fascinating development in history to Eyal Poleg at Queen Mary University of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.