The History of the Twentieth Century

A chronicle of the history of the twentieth century, including art, music, popular culture, science, religion, and, of course, politics and war.

001 Age of Empires

We take a brief look at the world as it is on 1 January 1901--the birthday of the twentieth century.

09-13
42:59

002 A Place in the Sun

Germany is pretty much a world leader in everything at the beginning of the 20th century. 13 Nobel Prizes in 10 years. Top that, everyone else!

09-20
36:23

003 Touch Me Not

This episode looks at the history of the Philippines through the start of the Spanish-American War.

09-27
34:13

004 Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight

The United States intervenes in the Cuban revolt against Spain. But what does this mean for the Philippines?

10-04
40:19

004s Documents

Three documents referenced in this week's podcast on the Spanish-American War: The letter from the Spanish ambassador, McKinley's message to Congress, Joint Congressional Resolution.

10-07
21:47

005 Islands or Canned Goods

So, are the US and the Filipino rebels allies or not? When the US and Spain start doing deals, there are no Filipinos at the table.

10-11
26:57

005s Documents

...and imbued with firm confidence in Divine Providence, we hereby mutually bind ourselves to support this Declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and with our most sacred possession, our Honor....

10-15
06:31

006 White Man's Burden

As relations between the Americans and the Filipinos degenerate into open combat, the war to liberate Cuba becomes a war to subjugate the Philippines.

10-18
26:22

007 La Belle Époque

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

10-25
45:27

008 J'Accuse...!

France at the turn of the century was rocked by the Dreyfus Affair, where an innocent soldier was convicted of treason, and the Army went to incredible lengths in its refusal to acknowledge what became increasingly obvious.

11-01
48:56

009 Dark Clouds

What are cathode rays? X-rays? Radioactivity? How old is the Earth? Inquiring minds want to know. Also, in an age when only men can vote, the greatest scientist of the time is a woman. And Polish. Take that, haters!

11-08
37:29

010 Lest We Forget

Britain is still very much a class-bound society at home and a military power abroad. A look at the state of the Empire in the late 19th century, with a special emphasis on Ireland and South Africa.

11-15
39:24

011 Moving Like the Wind

The British get the war they want with the Boer republics in South Africa, but the Boers turn out to be more than the British can handle. At first.

11-22
39:11

012 The Empire Strikes Back

Frustrated on all fronts, the British mobilize the enormous resources of their Empire in a bid to defeat the Boers once and for all.

12-06
39:21

013 The Christian Century

At the beginning of the 20th century, a fault line develops in Protestantism, especially in the USA, over the role of ancient Scriptures in a modern church.

12-13
35:15

014 The Righteous and Harmonious Fists

A grassroots uprising against foreigners develops in China in 1900, a result of outrage over Chinese territorial concessions and foreign missionary activity.

12-20
41:08

015 Taels I Win

Reinforcements from the Western nations turn the tide in the fight against the Boxers. But will they get to Beijing in time?

01-03
42:05

016 Assassin's Creed

Theodore Roosevelt becomes a war hero, and Vice President of the United States. An anarchist assassin takes the life of the President, William McKinley.

01-10
34:11

017 Such a Bully Pulpit

Theodore Roosevelt becomes President and at once begins turning everything upside down. Scott Joplin writes an opera about it.

01-17
42:18

018 The Spectre Haunting Europe

As working class conditions seem to be getting worse instead of better, a new political movement emerges, advocating intervention on behalf of the poor, oppressed, and disenfranchised.

01-24
39:17

Luka Prisunjak

love all you shows but this one is a gem, i didn't expect to have so interesting story. well done!

02-03 Reply

Luka Prisunjak

I am listening podcasts actively for 5 years now and am avid fun of history podcasts. This is by far the best non-topic related podcast I've listened. If I could I would make this part of school curriculum

12-15 Reply

Thomas Coll

those somber words of Pearse

09-02 Reply

Thomas Coll

A great episode about the IRB and the lead up to 1916!

08-21 Reply

Icecat2005

Such a lovely episode.

03-25 Reply

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