This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars from the beginning of King Louis XVI's reign all the way to the death of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821. The first half covers the life and death of Louis XVI during the events of the revolution, including the rise and fall of Robespierre and the Reign of Terror. The second half covers the rise of Napoleon, the Napoleonic Wars and the eventual allied victory over France.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the birth and rise of the British Empire from the reign of Henry VII all the way to the American Revolution. The first part deals with the Tudors and their response to empire in Spain (as well as the Spanish Armada). The second part deals with England's (and later Britain's) establishment of its own empire in North America and India. It then concludes with the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers Germany from the end of the First World War to the end of the World War 2. The first half deals with the establishment of the Weimar Republic, its wider problems and the rise of the Nazis. The second half covers how the Third Reich was administered and its fall during the Second World War.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the growth of the British Empire after the American Revolution all the way to its end with the handover of Hong Kong. The first half deals with the Pax Britannica and British global hegemony through the Sepoy mutiny. The second half deals with the apex of the empire after World War One and its subsequent decline and fall.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the beginnings of the Portuguese and Spanish Empires all the way to the Iberian Union under Philip II. The first part deals with the reasons for and origins of exploration and conquest. The second part covers the Spanish conquest of the Aztec and Incan Empires. The third part deals with the Portuguese expansion into Asia and its conquests in India. Finally the episode looks at what the effects of empire were and how Iberian Union changed Portugal.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the late Russian Empire under Tsar Nicholas II all the way to the USSR just before World War II. The first part of the Episode covers the social and political issues and changes until the February Revolution. The second part covers the October Revolution and how Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin established the Soviet Union and how things changed. Without a doubt, the Russian Revolution was one of (if not the) most important event of the 20th century.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the rise of Prussia after the Napoleonic Wars through the unification of Germany in 1871 and to its defeat in the First World War. The First part of the episode covers the growth of Prussia authority and the decline of Austria. The second part covers the methods and results of German unification and its ramifications for Europe.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the rise of the Ottoman Empire from its humble beginnings in the 14th century through the Conquest of Constantinople to its stalling at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The first half covers the general rise of the Ottomans and details their system of government. The second half deals with the Ottoman conquest of Hungary and Suleiman's rule.
This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the unification of Japan and the Meiji Restoration through Japanese imperial expansion and until Japan's defeat in World War 2. The first half covers the Meiji Restoration and Japanese social change whilst the second half covers the military aspects of Japan's empire.
Here's episode one! The first episode in Ten Minute English and British History, a 42-part series which covers all of English and British history from 55BC to 2010. This episode covers the Roman Republic's early contact with and later imperial conquest of Britannia. It covers why using the word 'Celt' is problematic, what the Roman conquest looked like, just how 'Roman' Britannia became and what Britannia's role in Roman politics became.
This episode covers Britannia during the late Roman Empire from the reigns of Septimius Severus through the Third Century Crisis all the way to the end of Roman Britain. It focuses on Britannia's role as just another constituent part of the Empire and how it affected Roman politics such as the appointment of Constantine the Great there. Recommended books: P. Salway - Roman Britain: A Very Short Introduction (2015) - A very cheap and accessible book, Salway has many other general narratives of Roman Britain as well.; O. Hekster - Rome and its Empire, AD 193-284 (2008); R. Collins - Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000 (2010) - Genuinely a phenomenal book for greater European context of the period.
This episode covers the aftermath of the Roman withdrawal from Britain, focusing on the lack of sources for the centuries afterward and the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons. It begins with the legend of Hengist and Horsa, through the Northumbrian Golden Age all the way to the end of the Mercian supremacy in the wake of Offa's death. Recommended books: Chris Wickham - The Inheritance of Rome (2010) - A very good overview of all of European history, good for context. James Campbell et al. - The Anglo-Saxons (1991) - Seriously, this book is the best book I've ever seen on Anglo-Saxon England, its very accessible and the essays are phenomenal. If you have access to a university library I'd recommend a read through Dorothy Whitelock's English Historical Sources 500-1042.
This episode follows the end of the Mercian Supremacy and follows the achievements of Alfred the Great of Wessex. Most of the focus is on Alfred's conflict with the Vikings and his reforms at home which were the foundations upon which an England was built.
This episode covers the beginnings of Viking activity in the British isles and the creation of the Danelaw through to its collapse and the creation of England. It covers the Danes, the Norse and their respective activities which brought great change to Britain. Recommended Reading: James Campbell et al. - The Anglo-Saxons (1991) - It's coverage of the Danelaw is great (if slightly dated) but remember that it won't give much context about the wider Viking world.
This episode covers the unification of the Anglo-Saxon/Scandinavian kingdoms in Britain during the tenth century. It begins with Edward the Elder's conquests and ends with the assassination of Edward the Martyr. Some consider this to be the birth of an England but since the Anglo-Saxons didn't really think of it like that, it's hard to argue. Recommended Reading: James Campbell et al. - The Anglo-Saxons (1991) - I will never stop recommending this book to everyone. Just be aware it is not up to date with the changes in the opinion of modern scholarship. Sarah Foot - Æthelstan: The First King of England (2011). A very good book (as is all of the Yale English Monarch series) which covers pretty much everything.
This episode covers the reign of Æthelred the Unready and the many problems he faced, most notably the Vikings. The reign of Cnut and his many achievements and his legacy alongside those of his two sons, Harold and Harthacnut are also examined. This period is the last time that a Scandinavian would rule England but their legacy changed England forever. Recommended Reading: James Campbell et al. - The Anglo-Saxons (1991) - You'll only have to see this book one more time in the recommendations. But seriously, it's unmatched as far as an overview of Anglo-Saxon England is concerned. Timothy Bolton - Cnut the Great (2017) - A new work and a good one at that. It's very pro-Cnut and is about changing the modern-day opinion of him from that of a conquering Viking to a modernising statesmen. Very good, though. Michael Wood - In Search of the Dark Ages (2005) - Originally published in 81 so beware of straight-up believing everything. He covers most major Anglo-Saxon kings including Æthelred the Unready. It's very accessible and the chapters on Offa and Eric Bloodaxe are definitely worth a read.