Modern

Starting with the nineteenth century and bringing us right up to the debates of today this section contains many brilliant podcasts that explore the recent and current work around us. Revolution, communication, technology, conflict and co-operation are just some of the many complimentary and contradictory themes that are covered in this detailed collection of podcast to explore the global modern era. Read more

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  • The Cold War in Africa

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor David Anderson of St Cross College, University of Oxford discusses the impact of the Cold War on Africa.

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  • The American Civil War

    Podcast

    In this set of podcasts Dr Adam Smith of University College London looks at the origins, the development and the significance of the American Civil War.

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  • The British Empire 1800-1870

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Sean Lang of Anglia Ruskin University examines commerce and imperial expansion between 1800-1870

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  • The Opium Wars

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr. Yangwen Zheng of the University of Manchester looks at the origins, theatre and consequences of the Opium Wars. Dr Yangwen Zheng's essential textbook Ten Lessons in Modern Chinese History is now available. Written for university entry-level students and A-level teachers and students, it uses primary sources to tell the story...

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  • The Fall of the Romanovs 1906-1917

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Peter Waldron of the University of East Anglia looks at Russia 1906-1917: What were the key factors that led to the Romanov's downfall?

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  • The Significance of the Brezhnev Era

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Edwin Bacon of Birkbeck University of London examines the USSR from 1968-1982 and the significance of the Brezhnev era?

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  • Key elements that led to the disintegration of the USSR

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Edwin Bacon of Birkbeck University of London discusses the USSR from 1982-1991 and the key elements that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

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  • Changing views of the Russian Revolution

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Beryl Williams discusses how historians views of the Russian Revolution have changed over time in Russia and the West.

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  • The Provisional Government and the October Revolution

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Beryl Williams looks at why the Provisional Government failed to establish liberalism in Russia between February and October 1917 and why it was the Bolsheviks that took power in October.

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  • The Chinese Revolution of 1911

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Rana Mitter of the University of Oxford looks at the causes and consequences of the 1911 Revolution.

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  • Chiang Kai-shek and The Kuomintang

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Arne Westad of the London School of Economics looks at the successes and failures of Chiang Kai Shek.

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  • The Chinese Communist Revolution of 1949

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Rana Mitter of the University of Oxford looks at why Mao Zedong was successful in achieving a Communist Revolution in 1949.

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  • The Chinese Communist Government in the 1950s & early 1960s

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Patricia Thornton of Merton College, Oxford examines the successes and failures of the Communist governments first decade in power.

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  • China 1976 to present: change and reform

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Arne Westad looks at the changes that have taken place in China since the death of Mao Zedong.

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  • Lenin's Objectives and the Civil War

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Beryl Williams examines Lenin's aims in coming to power and how the Bolsheviks were able to stay in power through the civil war.

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  • The Impact and Significance of the Great Patriotic War

    Podcast

    In this podcast, Dr Jonathan Davis of Anglia Ruskin University looks at the Great Patriotic War and the effects it had on the USSR. Dr Davis discusses how Russian involvement in World War II changed the lives of Soviet citizens, legitimised Stalin’s rule, and set the stage for the USSR’s...

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  • The Impact of Stalin's Leadership 1924-1941

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr Jonathan Davis of Anglia Ruskin University look at the USSR from 1924-1941 and the impact of Stalin's leadership in the USSR during this period.

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  • The British Empire & the Scramble for Africa

    Podcast

    In this podcast Dr John Stuart of Kingston University London looks discusses Britain and the scramble for Africa; looking at motivations, how Britain's influence expanded so quickly in Northern and Southern Africa, the changing relations with other colonial powers, the two Boer Wars and their impact on Britain's perception of...

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  • Britain's Retreat from Empire

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor A J Stockwell looks at Britain's retreat from Empire from 1914, examining how and why this retreat began, the pressure for independence across the Empire, new imperialism, the changing relationship between rulers and ruled, how Britain attempted to manage retreat, decolonisation and the legacy of the...

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  • Tsarist Russia 1855-1914.

    Podcast

    In this podcast Professor Peter Waldron of the University of East Anglia looks at Tsarist Russia 1855-1914. How effectively did Russia's rulers respond to pressures for change during this period?

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