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

Outro:

Looking for Freedom, David Hasselhoff

“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.

In 1864, delegates from the Maritime Colonies and the Province of Canada met in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island to discuss proposals to create a union to better British North America's economic and defensive strength. By the end, the groundworks for a new country were born. A further two conferences and a Royal Assent later, Canada was born on July 1, 1867. The story behind its creation is not well known, even those living in it. There, Pan Historia is proud to present the story of Confederation.

Happy Canada Day!

Music:

God Save the Queen (Royal Anthem)

O Canada! (National Anthem)

We're all familiar with the political spectrum. There are people on the left, people on the right, and people in the centre. Sadly, in modern times, there is a lot of misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the vast number of ideologies in the world today. In this episode of Pan Historia, Lyndsay and Jonah decided to take a closer look at the histories behind and actual philosophies of different ideologies in practice in order to provide a better understanding.

Correction: National Bolshevism was listed as an example Fascist ideology. It turns out it is a syncretic ideology, meaning it is neither Left, Right, nor centre (aka: Third Position). Apologies for the mistake. 

Intro: Thaxed, by Kevin MacLeod 

Outro: Warmth Feeling by Samashi

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

Warmth Feeling by Samashi

The rich and powerful of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana filled the air with swinging jazz music, stuffed their faces with food, and drank their weight in champaign. Meanwhile, citizens living on the Bayou, the swamps, and the Northern plains were struggling to survive. These people were ignored by the elite, who they were unable to vote out due to a combination of racial voting laws, and an expensive poll tax. Louisiana was already the poorest state in the union, and they were sinking deeper and deeper with the onset of the Great Depression.

One of their own would rise out of the impoverished Winn Parish, and march into Baton Rouge. This man was not afraid to make enemies, and his booming voice echoed throughout the state. No person was too powerful to scare him into submission, and all who tried deeply regretted crossing him. Huey Long aimed to speak for the common people, to end poverty once and for all. However, its his methods he used to complete his promises which made him known as the dictator of Louisiana.

Music:

Every Man a King by the Louisiana Ramblers (written by Huey Long)

Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by Hank Williams

Viewer Discretion Advised: Strong Language, some disturbing content.

As Yugoslavia collapsed around itself, one final piece decided to fall. Kosovo witnessed the chaos around them, and knew there would be no other option to get out. Between 1995 and 1999, the infamous Kosovo Liberation Army conducted insurgency operations within the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohja. This time, Serbia wasn't the aggressor, but the world had heard to many lies to believe them. NATO once again became involved, dropping bombs indiscriminately across the tiny mountainous region.

Even after the war had ended, Milosevic refused to admit Yugoslavia was dead. He held onto power by his fingernails, holding up the decomposing corpse of the country as internal anger swelled up. Soon, Milosevic became an enemy to the people he swore to protect. It was only a matter of time before his day or judgement came.

Music:

Intro: USA: Bill Clinton Kosovo Speech from The Associated Press
Empty Reflections

Outro: Warmth Feeling by Samashi

By the time of the Bosnian War, Yugoslavia was a mortally wounded mass refusing to admit its time had come. Desperate to hold on, JNA forces moved into Bosnia to support the Bosnian-Serb population, many of whom had joined the various paramilitaries in the new country. Meanwhile, Bosniaks and Bosnian-Croats formed a rocky alliance out of self preservations for their respective groups, and their shared hatred of the Serb dominated remains of Yugoslavia. Bosnia became a battleground for the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, causing the citizens to suffer greatly from the constant shelling and sniper fire landing indiscriminately, regardless of who was within sight. Worse yet, it became the location of the worst act of genocide committed in Post-World War II Europe to date, as UN personnel could do nothing but watch helplessly.

A water tower stands tall over the city of Vukovar, still bearing the scars of Croatia's trauma. As Yugoslavia collapses, Croatia stands firm against Serbian aggression, both from Serbia itself and the Serbian-Croats within its borders. Ethnic tension runs at an all time high, and it soon becomes clear to the world this war will not be as quick as Slovenia's Ten-Day War. Both the Croats and Serbs are equally determined to cement their self-preservation, and are equally willing to resort to extreme violence. Aside from the conventional warfare measures, the Croat and Serb forces will resort to the worst methods possible in an effort to achieve their goals in the first examples of ethnic cleansing in Europe since the Second World War. Sadly, the Croatian War of Independence was only a prologue to the horrors we still can't begin to comprehend.

Please note: At almost exactly 1 hour in, the audio messed up, hense why the quality momentarily faulters.

Intro: Sean Murray, Fountain (from Call of Duty: World at War)

Outro: Philanthrope, Things Fall Apart

In the midst of Lougheed's and Trudeau's dispute over the National Energy Program, resentment of the Easten dominated Federal government seeped deep into residents of Western Canada, some of which would evolve into hate. Call-in radio programs were flooded with support for Lougheed, as well as anger towards the Trudeau government. As one man said, "…I would be happy to fight for our freedom and I literally mean fight with a rifle." He wasn't alone in his desire for freedom, and the Western provinces saw several independence parties spring up during the 1980s. They sought to form an independent republic of Western Canada, in order to break away from what they percieved to be the oppression politicians in the east against the west, and Ottawa sucking away financial gains. However, these parties failed to recognize the overwhelming indesire for Western Canada to actually separate, and these advocates lacked the charisma, leadership, and popularity federalist figures such as Lougheed held. Join us this week as we discuss one of the least successful independence movement Canada experienced, crushed under its overconvidence.

Intro: Prairie Moon by Stompin' Tom Connors

Outro: Warmth Feeling by Samashi (https://soundcloud.com/samaxshi)