The History of Current Events

Détente had come to an end. With the paranoid former KGB head Yuri Andropov assuming the Premiership and the election of the staunchly anti-communist Ronald Reagan, things were heating up in the Cold War. As the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan reached its peak and Reagan’s rhetoric became more and more aggressive, things had reached a fever pitch. The accidental downing of Kore

The official story is that Brazil was discovered by Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese sailor who while far out at sea on a voyage to India around the African continent spotted some seaweed and found what he believed to be a large island sitting in the Atlantic. However the French nobility claim to have discovered it 4 years earlier. This episode explores the early years of Brazil

The show has returned, Sorry for the long hiatus. This new series will focus on Brazil. Former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has defeated Brazilian Incumbent president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, leading to the first time in that country's history that an incumbent president has lost the next election. Bolsonaro was

This episode explores the history of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, explaining the commonalities and differences in language, history, and culture. The second half of the show explains the modern history of Ukraine and Russia's attempt to absorb them into the Russian and Soviet Empires. The final chapter explains the Ukrainian invasion from the Russian perspective.Support

Oldie but goldie! Sorry for the lack of shows lately my lovely fans, I am still alive. This is one of my favorite episodes from the podcast covering a range of things I find nostalgic. The Japanese Beethoven I am working on an episode about the Brazilian election which I hope to get out soon.Support the show

Oda Nobunaga, fresh from his victories in the east was ready for the final battle that would determine the fate of Japan. All that remained in his way was the Mori clan, beaten and battered, located around the western tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest Island. Nobunaga summoned his forces to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had conquered deep into Mori territory, this army would consist

Oda Nobunaga was nearing his dream, of a unified Japan under his rule, all that remained were the wavering Ikko-Ikki and Mori clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide, two of Nobunaga's most trusted generals, began a final campaign against the Mori. Hideyoshi was successful however Mitsuhide struggled leading to resentment. Once again thanks to Nobunaga's meritocrati

The samurai were the result of centuries of corruption from the oldest clan in Japan, the Fujiwara. The Fujiwara held complete control of the government of ancient Japan, even at one-point controlling the emperor. Through this power abuse rose the Taira and Minamoto who eventually took over and then fought a civil war between themselves with the Minamoto coming out on top. A Daimyo

The story continues after the inconclusive battles of the Kawanakajima plains. The Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen returned to the Tokugawa lands, but his untimely death would lead his son Takeda Katsuyori to become leader of the Takeda clan, Katsuyori was not his father and he would lead the Takeda clan into almost complete insignificance. The Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin would h

The age of the samurai was full of great men and great stories to go along with them. None are more iconic than the tale of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo. Although Sengoku Jidai is best remembered through the eyes of the three great unifiers, there were stories of bravery, cunning and deceit all throughout the land. This is the story