Explaining History
The Explaining History Podcast, created and hosted by Nick Shepley, offers a comprehensive exploration of 20th-century history through weekly episodes. For over a decade, this podcast has been providing students and history enthusiasts with in-depth analyses of key events, processes, and debates that shaped the modern world.The podcast covers a wide range of topics within 20th-century history, including:- Major historical events like World Wars I and II, The rise and fall of communism, fascism and imperialism- Political movements and ideologies- Economic developments and crises- Social and cultural changesEpisodes typically run for about 25 minutes, offering concise yet informative discussions on specific subjects. The podcast invites listeners to engage with complex historical topics in manageable segments, making it ideal for students and busy history enthusiasts.Expert InsightsNick frequently invites expert guests to contribute their knowledge and perspectives, enriching the podcast with diverse viewpoints and specialized expertise. This approach helps listeners understand the competing debates and interpretations surrounding historical events and processes.Educational FocusThe podcast is particularly valuable for students, especially those studying A-level history. It offers targeted content aligned with specific curricula, such as the AQA syllabus for Russian history. This educational focus makes it an excellent supplementary resource for formal history studies.Chronological ApproachWhile the podcast primarily focuses on the 20th century, it adopts a chronological approach to storytelling. This method allows listeners to follow the progression of events and understand how different historical moments are interconnectedEngaging PresentationNick's presentation style combines rigorous historical analysis with an engaging narrative approach. The podcast aims to not only inform but also captivate listeners, making complex historical topics accessible and interesting to a broad audienceBy offering this mix of comprehensive content, expert insights, and engaging presentation, the Explaining History Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of 20th-century history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
Dec 28, 2024 • 26min
Approaches to history Part Ten: Gender History
Throughout the 20th Century, alongside the advancement of women in academia there had been a focus on women's history based on biological sex. However, from the 70s onwards gender history that explores the roles of feminine and masculine gender in different historical moments has been a developing field of research. Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 24, 2024 • 29min
The Battle of Stalingrad Part Two
The Battle of Stalingrad was the greatest German defeat of the war, consuming the entire German 6th Army as Stalin and his generals struggled to adapt to the onslaught and ordered that no Russian, civilian or military, be allowed to retreat. This is the second of a series of Christmas podcasts on the siege and its bloody aftermath:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2024 • 29min
The Battle of Stalingrad Part One
The Battle of Stalingrad was the greatest German defeat of the war, consuming the entire German 6th Army as Stalin and his generals struggled to adapt to the onslaught and ordered that no Russian, civilian or military, be allowed to retreat. This is the first of a series of Christmas podcasts on the siege and its bloody aftermath:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 21, 2024 • 33min
Approaches to history Part 9: Marxist Historiography Part Two
Karl Marx is the most influential figure in the production of 20th Century history texts, influencing Marxist and non Marxist historians alike. This is the first part of our exploration of his significance and the debates surrounding his legacy.Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 19, 2024 • 28min
Racism, Whiteness and Black Britain
Explore the struggles faced by Black British citizens from the Caribbean in the post-war era. Discover the deep-rooted racism and societal challenges that shaped their experiences. Delve into the evolution of identity among a new generation of Black Britons confronting biases. Examine the cultural shocks and contrasts that revealed stark differences in perceptions of race and labor. Uncover how these interactions prompted a redefinition of identity amidst systemic discrimination.
Dec 18, 2024 • 24min
AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 12
In this episode of the podcast we continue with our study of the AQA syllabus - Russia 1917-53: Revolution and Dictatorship. We explore the nature of Stalin's first Five Year Plan and its economic and social consequences. Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 17, 2024 • 27min
Lenin and Ukraine 1917-19
Lenin had no intention of national independence for Ukraine or any of the other non Russian nations of the former Tsarist empire. This podcast explores how the Bolsheviks responded to the national movement in Ukraine during the Russian Civil War.Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 16, 2024 • 25min
Civil Rights and the Fragmenting of the New Deal
Franklin Roosevelt knew that supporting black emancipation in the south would lose critical southern white support for the New Deal and so ignored for the most part the plight of black Americans and the horrors of lynching. During the 1950s and 1960s the coalition of black and white voters that the Democrats drew to them began to fragment as black rights advanced throughout the period. This was a key factor in the fragmentation of the New Deal's support base, which was ruthlessly exploited by Richard Nixon in 1968.Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 14, 2024 • 25min
Approaches to history Part 8: Marxist Historiography
Karl Marx is the most influential figure in the production of 20th Century history texts, influencing Marxist and non Marxist historians alike. This is the first part of our exploration of his significance and the debates surrounding his legacy.Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 13, 2024 • 25min
Making sense of Syria
The sudden collapse of the Assad regime and the actions and intentions of the regional and global powers involved present us with strange contradictions, but we must also be aware of the terrible human cost of the conflict as tens of thousands of Syrians and other nationals remain in squalid concentration camps across the country, the final victims of ISIS. Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
