15 Minute History

4.5 (2)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
EVERY TWO WEEKS

15 Minute History is a podcast series is devoted to short, accessible discussions of important topics in World History and US History. The discussions will be conducted by the award winning faculty and graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin.

1 APR

Episode 154: The Nature of Empire: Power, Ecology and Knowledge

How the environment has been perceived, valued and manipulated by humans since prehistoric times. But in the last millennium, empires brought something new into the mix — the organization of local knowledge and practices into bureaucratic and military systems that centralized power — and indeed, funded it. We’re joined today by Sumit Guha, a UT […]

16 min
11 FEB

Episode 153: Horses and Humans throughout History

Horses and humans have gone hand in hand for centuries. Our guest today is CUBoulder professor William Taylor, whose new book “Hoof Beats” takes us across thousands ofyears and miles to explore how horses helped create the human world we live in today. In doingso, Taylor challenges our understanding of prehistory and reflects on what […]

22 min
11 FEB

Episode 152: Rethinking the Slave Trade

Beginning in the 15th century, European history took a dark turn with the rapidexpansion of the slave trade. We’re joined today by Emory professor David Eltis, the co-editor of www.slavevoyages.org that draws on thousands of records — ship logs,registers, letters and government records — to understand the mechanics of the trade.His new book, Atlantic Cataclysm, […]

16 min
5 FEB

Episode 151: Henri Christophe: First and Last King of Haiti

Between 1807 and 1820, Haiti was led by it’s first and last king, Henri Christophe. A contemporary of Robespierre and Napoleon, Washington and Hamilton, his life was as colorful, controversial and as tragic as any from his age. He presided over a Haitian state that was opulent and cultured on one hand, brutal and repressive […]

22 min
09/12/2024

Episode 150: America First: The Debate Then and Now

In the late 1930s, War in Europe seemed inevitable. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a fierce debate was underway — if war comes to Europe, should America get involved or stay out? On one side of the debate was President Franklin Roosevelt — who favored intervention — and on the other, Charles Lindbergh — the most […]

20 min
04/12/2024

Episode 149: A crisis of confidence – America in 1876

Two years from now, America will enter its 250th year as a nation. For some, it will be a day to celebrate without question. But, for others it may be something of an anti-climax, or at least a chance to reflect upon the continuing gap between the promise and reality of the American project. Today, I’m joined […]

22 min
22/07/2024

Episode 148: US China relations in the 1970s

During the 1970s, relations between the US and China were transformed. Previously the two nations were cold war enemies. But Kazushi Minami argues that the ’70s saw Americans reimagine China as a country of opportunities, while Chinese reinterpreted the US as an agent of modernization, capable of enriching their country. Crucial to this process was […]

20 min
28/06/2024

Episode 147: The Court Packing Crisis

In 1937, American politics was gripped by President Roosevelt’s court packing plan. Frustrated with what he perceived to be an aging, obstructionist Supreme Court, Roosevelt pressed congress to expand the court from 9 to 15 members. Stepping into the ensuing maelstrom was Texas congressman Hatton Sumners, chair of the House judiciary committee, ally of Roosevelt […]

17 min

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4.5

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2 Ratings

15 Minute History is a podcast series is devoted to short, accessible discussions of important topics in World History and US History. The discussions will be conducted by the award winning faculty and graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin.