Explaining History

Exhausted by the Second World War, Britain was desperate to hold on to influence in the Middle East and yet policy makers were anxious to withdraw from Palestine as quickly as possible. At the same time, Britain was engaged in another hurried departure from India.

This week's book review is an excellent and incisive analysis of the cultural history of black power in America by Rafael Torrubia.

In the decades before the First World War, the role that public opinion and the press in forming the foreign policy of European powers became considerably more decisive. This podcast explores how and why.

The monthly book review returns, with a review of Battles for Freedom - the essays of Eric Foner for the Nation magazine 1977-2015

In the late 1970s, after a decade of economic stagnation, western economies, accompanied by China, began the first steps towards the abandonment of the Bretton Woods system and social democracy. They replaced it with the current model of global economics, neoliberalism.

In the late 1970s, after a decade of economic stagnation, western economies, accompanied by China, began the first steps towards the abandonment of the Bretton Woods system and social democracy. They replaced it with the current model of global economics, neoliberalism.

In 1947 the last of the Nuremberg trials began. The accused were German industrialists from the chemicals cartel IG Farben. Prosecutors charged them with using slave labour at their bunawerk factory during the Second World War - Auschwitz Monowitz.

In 1947 the last of the Nuremberg trials began. The accused were German industrialists from the chemicals cartel IG Farben. Prosecutors charged them with using slave labour at their bunawerk factory during the Second World War - Auschwitz Monowitz.

The development of British national identity in the 20th Century is intimately connected with conflict. War has provided a unifying force that has held together an inherently fissile union throughout the century.

The development of British national identity in the 20th Century is intimately connected with conflict. War has provided a unifying force that has held together an inherently fissile union throughout the century.

Stalin and his chief henchman Lavrenti Beria poured resources from a devastated USSR into the creation of an atomic bomb from 1945 onwards. The development of the bomb rested on Soviet espionage and the ability of scientists to experiment and work without ideological controls.

Stalin and his chief henchman Lavrenti Beria poured resources from a devastated USSR into the creation of an atomic bomb from 1945 onwards. The development of the bomb rested on Soviet espionage and the ability of scientists to experiment and work without ideological controls.

In 1944 at Bretton Woods in the USA a new model of the world economy that would provide postwar stability and prosperity was devised. However, the compromises and plans of the USA meant that the system created a fatal flaw, leaving it to unravel by 1971.

In 1944 at Bretton Woods in the USA a new model of the world economy that would provide postwar stability and prosperity was devised. However, the compromises and plans of the USA meant that the system created a fatal flaw, leaving it to unravel by 1971.

Between 1958-1962 Mao's second five year plan, known as the Great Leap Forward, resulted in economic chaos and a famine that killed over 40 million people. It was in part inspired by Mao's attempts to eclipse Soviet leader Khrushchev as the leader of the communist world.

Between 1958-1962 Mao's second five year plan, known as the Great Leap Forward, resulted in economic chaos and a famine that killed over 40 million people. It was in part inspired by Mao's attempts to eclipse Soviet leader Khrushchev as the leader of the communist world.

In a slight change from our regular episodes, I've interviewed study specialist and coach Lucy Parsons to offer her knowledge on how to prepare for history exams and what skills are needed to excel at A level. Coming on Friday: Berlin and Willy Brandt. You can find out more about Lucy's academic coaching @ http://lifemoreextraordinary.com

In a slight change from our regular episodes, I've interviewed study specialist and coach Lucy Parsons to offer her knowledge on how to prepare for history exams and what skills are needed to excel at A level. Coming on Friday: Berlin and Willy Brandt. You can find out more about Lucy's academic coaching @ http://lifemoreextraordinary.com

After three decades of unprecedented global economic growth from the Second World War onwards, the economy of the first world experienced prolonged economic crisis throughout the 1970s and 1980s. This podcast explores the long and short term causes of the crisis.

After three decades of unprecedented global economic growth from the Second World War onwards, the economy of the first world experienced prolonged economic crisis throughout the 1970s and 1980s. This podcast explores the long and short term causes of the crisis.