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Explaining HistoryExplaining History Podcast: Twenty five minutes of weekly analysis on the 20th Century for students and enthusiasts Author: Nick Shepley
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 Language: en Genres: Courses, Education, History Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Hollywood, witch hunts and class struggle in LA
Wednesday, 23 April, 2025
In this episode of the Explaining History podcast we speak with the writer Dennis Broe whose new book The Dark Ages, explores the second Hollywood anti communist purge of 1951. We talk about Hollywood and Los Angeles as a site of ongoing class struggle, the role of the media and the LAPD in the development of modern Los Angeles and the role of dissenting writers and film makers in challenging the power of the studios.You can join Dennis for a zoom class on Darkest LA: Film Noir, Greed and Corporate Graft in LaLa Land Friday Nights 7-8:30 ETFive-week online course begins May 2, then 9, 16, 23, June 6$100 For the Course includes a special “bonus” sixth week June 13 Register for the course at https://radicalimagination.info/A Zoom link will be sent to all subscribersSponsored by Institute for the Radical Imagination, Marxist Education Program,LA Progressive and People’s WorldWeek 1 – Left of Eden, about the beginning of the Cold War and its intrusion into Hollywood at the moment of the beginning of the breakup of the studio system which had been so prosperous over the previous two decades. We’ll see the echoes of the Cold War ethos in today’s foreign policy.Week 2 – A Hello To Arms, about the renewal of the arms industry after the war in what was nominally a time of peace and how that affected the African-American community as wartime opportunities vanished. This will be an occasion to examine the current state of relations in the African-American community as well as the US “defense” industry, a behemoth that today is utterly out of control and that dictates global wars.Week 3 – The Precinct With The Golden Arm about the LAPD and its changing modes of surveillance, particularly of the Mexican-American community is this period starting to dominate Boyle Heights, an area that is now being gentrified. This novel also looks at Big Pharma and its relation to drugs in these communities and will prompt an examination of the origin of street drugs, of surveillance by what Mike Davis calls “the space police,” and of continued struggle and resistance in the city’s Latinx population.Week 4 – The House That Buff Built about the LA real estate industry and the design and spatial allocation of the city and its sprawling suburbs. This will be an examination of racial discrimination in housing and especially of the history and exploitation of the Chinese population as well as the role of the LA Times and its owners The Chandlers in divvying up the city.Week 5 – The Dark Ages about the second and more destructive devastation caused by McCarthyism in the form of HUAC in Hollywood. We will look at the history of unions in the entertainment industry and in the city as a whole and posit that it was union activity in the industry that brought HUAC to Hollywood. We’ll then look further at the history of unions in the city both in the past and today.Bonus 6th Week, Pornocopia, on corporate America’s penetration into the mob industries of porn in LA and gambling in Las Vegas. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
