Episodes
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Red Steppes: The Mongolian People's Republic
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Mongolia once held the largest contiguous empire in world history, and was the second largest empire overall (behind the British Empire). It was the home of the great warrior Genghis Khan, who was instrumental in creating the Mongol Empire, and constructing the Silk Road. However, the empire fell into disarray, splintering into smaller states. From there, Mongolia became a part of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Throughout the beginning of the 20th Century, Mongolia worked to reform its independence.
First, it became a Theocratic state under a Buddhist spiritual leader. However, the international community failed to recognize its independence, with the exception of Tibet. After several instances of turmoil, war, and suppression, a group of men inspired by the successful Bolshevik Revolution put in motion their plans to create the Mongolian People's Republic, the second communist state ever to exist.
We at Pan Historia would like to apologize in advance to the people of Mongolia for butchering the pronunciation of your names. In particular, Jonah wishes to offer sincere apologies to Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj for multiple mispronunciations. We love you, Mongolia.
Music:
Môngôl Ûlsiin toriin dûûlal, Mongolian National Anthem
Outro: Chingges Khaanii Magtaal (In Praise of Genghis Khan)
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Solidarity: The Polish Workers Strikes
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Before the Wall came down, before the days of Glasnost and Perestroika, the people of Poland began a series of defiant acts against their communist government. The Polish people suffered heavily during the Second World War under the brutal occupation of both the Nazis and Soviets. Following the end, the state remained a puppet of the Soviet Union. As the 1980s came around, the economy of Eastern Europe had stagnated due to Premier Brezhnev's limits on trade, production, and workers pay on its satellites. Things came to a head in Poland when it was decided an increase of prices was necessary, albeit while keeping salaries the same.
In the appropriately named Lenin Shipyard of Gdansk, the stevedores banded together to demand concessions from the government to improve working conditions in Poland, and bring the country closer to democracy. It was here the Solidarity movement began, the downfall of Poland's communist government commenced, and the ripples spread across Eastern Europe originated, which in turn would bring an end to the Warsaw Pact, and the Cold War itself.
Monday Nov 25, 2019
"You Can't Stop the Spring": The Velvet Revolution
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Monday Nov 25, 2019
"They may crush the flowers, but they can't stop the spring."
-Alexander Dubcek, 1968
Hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in the streets of Prague, Czechoslovakia, as the country's politburo finally decided there was nothing more they could do. Having witnessed change in Poland, East Germany, and Hungary already come to pass, they knew it was only a matter of time before they were next. In one swift action, the entire politburo resigned, deciding to rip the band aid off quickly, and without further harm. Across town, members of the opposition Civic Forum were in the midst of a press conference when news of the resignations reached them. The room erupted into cheers and applause, and one man even opened champaign in celebration
Alexander Dubcek, former General Secretary of Czechoslovakia, had tried 20 years prior to bring reform to the country. His efforts were crushed beneath the tracks of Soviet tanks, and he was allowed to retire back into obscurity. Now, on that late November evening, the people were once again chanting his name. As he stepped onto a balcony, he was overcome with emotion and unable to speak. Improvising and a massive smile on his face, Dubcek walked to the balcony rails and curled his arms slowly towards the crowd, effectively embracing the them. The Czech and Slovak people were all entwined in an embrace that night. Without a shot being fired, or a molotov flying, Czechoslovakia had become free.
Music:
Nad Tatrou sa blyska (Lightning Over the Tatras), Slovanian National Anthem
Kde domov muj(Where My Home Is), Czech National Anthem
Saturday Nov 09, 2019
Edifice of Fear: The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
Saturday Nov 09, 2019
Saturday Nov 09, 2019
The Iron Curtain across Europe Winston Churchill described was metaphorical rather than physical, at least at the time he made his famous speech. The divide between East and West had become an ideological conflict, Capitalism versus Communism. The defeated Germany was occupied by the Allies of the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, Germany was organized into two states, the Federal Republic of Germany in the west, and the German Democratic Republic in the east. Along with this, Berlin found itself two separate entities.
Millions of people fled west to avoid falling under the brutal suppression the Soviets had become known for. This resulted in nearly 20% of the GDR's population falling, which included a large number of the country's intellectual population. It was soon clear to the politburo this could not continued. Seemingly overnight in August 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected. With it, the Iron Curtain had a physical representation.
Intro:
Sinews of Peace, Winston Churchill
Monday Aug 19, 2019
The Silent Service: A History of Submarine Warfare
Monday Aug 19, 2019
Monday Aug 19, 2019
Deep in the ocean stalks a hidden hunter, virtually undetected and silent. Within, its crew works away, cramped, having not seen the sun in weeks. The crew drives blind through the depths, with only a pinging sonar available to aid navigation. They lay down there, waiting for the possibility to strike.
Submarines have had a long history behind them, one which is seldom talked about except for blockbuster films from Das Boot to Hunt for Red October. Today, Pan Historia dives into a brief, but detailed history of Submarine Warfare.
Outro: In the Navy by The Village People
Friday Jul 19, 2019
One Giant Leap: The Apollo 11 Mission
Friday Jul 19, 2019
Friday Jul 19, 2019
“Distance is but a relative expression, and must end by being reduced to zero.”
― Jules Verne, From the Earth to the Moon
Since the dawn of humanity, people have been interested in the cosmos. Of particular interest was Earth's closest wanderer: the Moon. Following the Second World War, the Americans and Soviets went head to head in a rivalry over ideology, power, influence, and technology. With the brilliant Sergei Koralev at the helm, the Soviets succeeded in launching the first human-made satellite, and even the first human into space. However, the Americans had their own genius named Wernher von Braun. With his expertise, the Americans were able to quickly catch up. Pretty soon, both superpowers eyed what was seen as the big prize. On July 16, 1969, three Americans launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and into the books of history.
Monday May 13, 2019
The History of the United Nations
Monday May 13, 2019
Monday May 13, 2019
On October 24, 1945, the countries of France, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, United States, and the Republic of China ratified a charter, officially organizing the United Nations. The purpose of the organization is to bring governments together in order to promote and maintain global peace and security. Since its beginnings, the UN has had both success and failure, praise and criticism. Today, 193 states are members of the organization, with hundreds more non-member observers, intergovernmental organizations, and other organizations. This week, Lyndsay and Jonah discuss both the history and functions of the many bodies and organs of the United Nations.
Music:
Hymn of the United Nations
Monday Sep 17, 2018
Episode 6, Part 1: The Decline of Yugoslavia and the Ten-Day War
Monday Sep 17, 2018
Monday Sep 17, 2018
At the beginning of the 20th Century, the Balkans were a powder keg waiting to go off. A spark from a gunman's bullet in Sarajevo ignited the inferno that was First World War. The embers of the conflict in turn fuelled the Second World War, history's deadliest conflict. By the latter's end, the world was changed, as were the Balkans. Under the facade of a slavic union, unseen embers were beginning to glow again. As the 20th Century came to a close, the Balkans would once again ignite into the last great conflict of those 100 years. The consequences of a dying Yugoslavia would ripple across the world, and the first shots would be fired in the country of Slovenia.
This is the beginning of a conflict which would see evils we hoped were long behind us……ones we failed to prevent, and stop.
Music: Hej, Slaveni (Yugoslavia's national anthem, 1945-1992)
Sunday Jun 03, 2018
Episode 1: The Korean War
Sunday Jun 03, 2018
Sunday Jun 03, 2018
The Second World War has come to a close, the world has found itself divided on a new level. Much of Europe lays in ruins, the last Empires are collapsing, and two new players have entered the fray: the Eagle and the Bear. The two began to scramble for global influence, taking advantage of both the battle wounded states desparate to rebuild, and new states stuggling to take their first steps. For the first half-decade, the eyes of the world were focused on Europe, a continent divided by an Iron Curtain between Western Democracies and Eastern Communist states. On the other side of the globe, however, was a second divide, not between East and West, but North and South. The Korean Pennisula was experience a tension stretching closer to the breaking point, and yet no one was watching. Then, on July 25, 1950, Communist forces of the North invaded the faux-Democratic Dictatorship of the South. Suddenly, the world was watching, and both American and Soviet forces (with their respective allies) decended into the conflict, the first war of the Cold War, tragically nicknamed The Forgotten War.