

Explaining History
Nick Shepley
How do we make sense of the modern world? We find the answers in the history of the 20th Century.For over a decade, The Explaining History Podcast has been the guide for curious minds. Host Nick Shepley and expert guests break down the world wars, the Cold War, and the rise and fall of ideologies into concise, 25-minute episodes.This isn't a dry lecture. It's a critical, narrative-driven conversation that connects the past to your present.Perfect for students, history buffs, and anyone who wants to understand how we got here. Hit subscribe and start exploring.Join us at Explaining History for daily modern history articles and news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 14, 2018 • 26min
The Origins of MI5 1903-1909
Britain had a very limited internal security and overseas intelligence capability before the Boer War. However, a government and public obsessed with fears of subversion led to pressures to create a series of agencies that resulted in MI5, Britain's domestic security service.For more content, journalism and ideas, visit the Explaining History Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=763386 Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2018 • 25min
SS Training and the Nazi Camp System
The training of a ruthless fraternity who's sadism was encouraged and given free reign - this was the training role of the Nazi camp system. It became the proving ground for a generation of SS men who would later perpetrate the Holocaust. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 1, 2018 • 26min
American War Production and Finance 1917-18
A war of historically unprecedented size and ferocity needed the industrial productivity all belligerent powers. However, American productive capacity dwarfed its European neighbours, as did America's ability to raise finances to pay for the conflict. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 2018 • 24min
The Creation of Yugoslavia 1919 (Part One)
In the aftermath of the First World War a federation of Balkan states that had emerged from the collapsed Austro Hungarian and Ottoman Empires, each with conflicting agendas, created a new South Slav Federation; Yugoslavia. The Paris Peace Conference would determine the new nation's future. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 2018 • 25min
Zero Hour: The Soviet Occupation of Berlin, Budapest and Warsaw 1945
The devastation of Germany and Eastern Europe by Hitler created the perfect environment for Soviet rule. Shattered, bewildered and destitute populations had little choice but to accept the domination of the Red Army.If you enjoyed today’s podcast and would like to join in the debate or learn more, visit us on the Explaining History Podcast Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/148115359176123/ Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 20, 2018 • 25min
Franco's diplomacy and the defeat of fascism 1941-45
Francoist Spain avoided direct conflict with Britain and America, but waged war against the USSR. By 1943 the tide of war had turned against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, but Franco's survival instincts enabled his regime to endure long into the post war era. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 2018 • 28min
Hitler and Hjalmar Schacht
In 1933, Hitler appointed Hjalmar Schacht as president of the Reichsbank, a move driven by Hitler's economic ignorance. The podcast delves into the contradictions between Schacht's stabilization efforts and Hitler's rearmament policies. It explores Germany's economic turmoil, including foreign debt and balance of payments issues, revealing aggressive tactics employed by the Nazi government. Additionally, it highlights critical shortages of raw materials that jeopardized both economic recovery and military strength, showcasing the tensions between leadership and industry concerns.

Feb 17, 2018 • 27min
Barbarossa Pt 4: Stalin's ultimatum June-July 1941
As Germany armies surges across western Russia in the summer of 1941, Stalin seemed to lose his nerve and suffer a breakdown. This podcast explores how Stalin recovered and held on to power which seemed momentarily to be close to evaporating.If you enjoyed today’s podcast and would like to join in the debate or learn more, visit us on the Explaining History Podcast Facebook group here. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 15, 2018 • 24min
The Butler Education Act 1944
In the last years of the Second World War, a new education act designed to create a school system for post war Britain was established. It was instrumental in creating the post war British class system, but many of the educational advances hoped for failed to materialise. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 2018 • 18min
Book Review: Babuska's Journey: The Dark Road to Stalin's Wartime Camps by Marcel Krueger
A review of Babushka's Journey and a discussion of the field of Gulag memoir literature (listen to the end for details on how to get your free copy). Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


