Episodios

  • The Great War of the Renaissance: The Italian Wars
    Sep 22 2023
    During the late 14th century, the Italian peninsula entered an artistic, economic, and cultural golden age known as the Renaissance. Commerce and new areas of human thought exploded onto the scene, making Italy one of the wealthiest regions in Europe and, arguably, the entire world. Because of this, however, the Italian peninsula - divided into many city-states - would soon become prey to the external powers seeking to capitalize off the region’s wealth. Today, we will discuss the latter half of the conflict known as the French-Italian Wars, a series of wars that would embroil Italy and the entire Mediterranean Sea.
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    48 m
  • A Masterwork of Logistics: Napoleon in Poland
    Apr 20 2023

    In the year 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte, a Corsican general who rose to prominence following several successful military campaigns underneath the Revolutionary French Republic, crowned himself Emperor of the French. Following being crowned, the emperor almost immediately was engaged in a swift campaign by the Austrian and Russian Empires which would culminate in their defeat following Napoleon’s famous victory - Battle of Austerlitz. Only a year later, however, Napoleon would find himself once again at war - this time with the north German Kingdom of Prussia. However, following the twin battles of Jena-Auerstedt, what Napoleon believed would be a quick and speedy campaign turned into a drawn-out one as the remnants of Prussia would retreat into their territorial possessions in modern-day Poland. Worst of all, winter was approaching and Napoleon and his Grand Armeé were now 900 miles from Paris. Today we will be discussing how Napoleon, despite being isolated from France and being stationed in hostile territory, was able to supply, maintain, and care for his troops - a gargantuan task that can be characterized as a masterwork in military logistics.

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    32 m
  • A Vile and Vicious Man: Vasco Porcallo and the Early Spanish Colonial Experience
    Mar 20 2023
    Following the colonization of Hispaniola, the island that now contains the modern states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, colonial ambitions by the newly united kingdoms of Aragon and Castile were turned towards a new island just north of their newly founded colony: the island of Cuba. Following the conquest of Cuba, for the following decades, a sense of a frontier-like society emerged in the region, allowing strong and violent men such as our subject today, Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa, to establish economic and social hegemonies over not only the indigenous communities that had existed on the island but also the Spaniards who had arrived to colonize it. Today we will explore the life of Vasco Porcallo who during his life played a role as one of the highest-ranking figures in colonial Cuba, and we will take a close look at this time of growth and development in the newly created colony of Cuba.
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    35 m
  • Educating the Future on the Past: Schoolhouse Rock! and Creating a New Era For Historical Education
    Feb 21 2023

    Everyone knows the phrase “Conjunction junction, what’s your function” and “I’m just a bill on capitol hill.” These are due to the great popularity of the popular Schoolhouse Rock! shorts that have become an integral part of American childhood as they have been played in schools throughout America. Released in 1973, almost 200 years following the founding of America, the shorts have educated countless children with lessons on grammar, mathematics, and, most importantly for our episode, American history. However, as we approach the 250th year anniversary of America’s founding, Dr. Ringel argues that Schoolhouse Rock!’s discussions on American history may not be as inclusive as they could be. Today, we will be discussing the history of Schoolhouse Rock! and the possibilities of creating a more open, diverse, and civically conscious show. A link to Dr. Ringel's interview will be attached when it is released.

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    30 m
  • A Clash of Theologians: The Debates and Power Struggles of Thomas Cranmer and Stephen Gardiner
    Feb 9 2023

    In the year 1517, a German monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 grievances against the Catholic Church to the front door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, starting what we now know as the Protestant Reformation. This reformation saw the rising of several protestant reformers who, while all were united in their opposition to the Catholic Church, all held various beliefs on how worship should be practiced. On the island of Great Britain, the ideas and discrepancies of and between Luther and these reformers would reach many academics and clergymen, including the likes of Stephen Gardiner and Thomas Cranmer. Today, our story focuses on Gardiner and Cranmer, two highly religious and ambitious men who through an intense rivalry, decide the fate of England and the English Church through one question: when one consumed the Eucharist, were they consuming the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ?

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    40 m
  • Traveling to the Ends of the Earth For Wealth and Family: La Doña Guiomar de Guzman and Colonial Cuba
    Jan 26 2023

    Upon the "discovery" of the Americas by the Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus, a rush to acquire wealth and glory emerged from the Spanish kingdoms of Castile and Aragon who had funded the expedition occurred that saw colonies emerging throughout the New World. The first area to be colonized, Cuba, would prove to be a booming area filled with resources, slaves, and gold. In this scenario enters la Doña Guiomar de Guzman, a Spanish woman who, like others, arrives in search of wealth. Join me in this episode as I interview Dr. Shannon Lalor, an instructor at High Point University and specialist in colonial Cuban history as we explore Guzman's life and the intrigues of the early Cuban colony.

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    45 m