In Relevant History, solo podcaster Dan Toler examines the trends and ideas that shape our modern world. The first season is about the idea of nationalism, and how different societies understand their national identities. From France to Ethiopia, from the Delhi Sultanate to the Dutch Republic, we travel through time and space to explore the roots of cultures around the world, and how those national trends have shaped their history.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
The French Revolution is a watershed moment not just in the history of France, but for all of humanity. Old ideas of class, hierarchy, and the divine right of kings are being challenged. For the first time since the classical era, an urban proletariat is starting to demand its own voice in politics. But the Revolution doesn’t start that way.
What begins as a financial crisis for the French government requires a legislative body to sign off on new taxes. This body, the Estates General, calls for additional reforms, which provokes a reactionary response from the conservative faction of the government, led by Louis XVI’s Austrian wife, Marie Antoinette. The public backlash goes beyond the Estates General, culminating in a series of street riots that end in one of history’s most iconic moments: the Storming of the Bastille.
Dan’s interview with Ben Kitchings of The History Voyager podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/07xhGEgKsxnCdziyitLWBQ
What is the Third Estate? (Complete text): https://pages.uoregon.edu/dluebke/301ModernEurope/Sieyes3dEstate.pdf
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Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTx_oaOfhi7aZmALI_W1Sy-d_sPnveEGE6zmtHEbLuDWRYb3pS5LCX7x7sKUHQFlNp9IuFaUSW94HFP/pub
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
What do the Kennedy assassination, the Martin Luther King assassination, and the Iraq War all have in common? Maybe nothing. Or maybe they were all orchestrated by a shadow government that has quietly taken over the United States.
In this bonus episode, Dan delves into the realm of conspiracy theory and asks whether everything we thought we knew about US history since 1960 was wrong.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode gets political, and Dan also talks about conspiracy theories. If you prefer a straight history podcast, best to skip this one.
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Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRYkYM7zJi5IUkCOVui3KkAghBEBA21oJml6prwvBfA3TA05yJy0oQiWZJLw-ZJgXPWYLrxR1Q1LWy3/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
HELPFUL LINKS:
1947 National Security Act: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Act_of_1947#Provisions
1960 U2 Incident: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_U-2_incident
JFK assassination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ltg2RgHlsQ
MLK assassination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TA2AIuAuW8
RFK assassination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVScM_9Tn-s
Article on RFK assassination audio forensics: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2018/06/06/the-bobby-kennedy-assassination-tape-were-13-shots-fired-or-only-8/
NATO expansion timeline: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-world-war-ii-sweden-finland-240d97572cc783b2c7ff6e7122dd72d2
Some background on NATO-Russia relations, including as regards Ukraine: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/why-nato-has-become-flash-point-russia-ukraine
Iraq War documents leak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War_documents_leak
Collateral Murder video: https://collateralmurder.wikileaks.org/
DISHFIRE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dishfire
PRISM: https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/17/4517480/nsa-spying-prism-surveillance-cheat-sheet
US worker productivity vs. inflation-adjusted pay: https://www.epi.org/productivity-pay-gap/
Former US intelligence agents at social media companies: https://www.mintpressnews.com/meet-ex-cia-agents-deciding-facebook-content-policy/281307/
Robert F Kennedy audio footage courtesy of: https://www.jfklibrary.org/
Audio of Ron Wyden and James Clapper courtesy of C-SPAN (audio-only license)
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
The British surrender at Yorktown isn’t the end of the American War for Independence, but it’s the end of the war in North America, and within another year the war overseas is also finished. With peace comes an end to the bloodshed, a chance to rebuild, and a turning point in many people’s lives.
But the end of the war is not the end of the American Revolution. Now that independence has been won, a new nation struggles to find its identity. In this episode, we’ll talk about the Constitutional Convention, George Washington’s presidency, and more.
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Relevant History on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk
Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRe4Yrdjcca4QDfc-Yx6AC2wZlnddMbmmbVEYUsKJe-pabERL3laolInY7oJvHR7ak-fMgdmLcb0pdm/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY:
An American Crisis: George Washington and the Dangerous Two Years After Yorktown, 1781–1783 by William M. Fowler: https://amzn.to/3IUV8IF
Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift by Thomas E. Chavez: https://amzn.to/40V0XN1
The American Revolution: A Global War by Richard Ernest Dupuy: https://amzn.to/3K8K8at
Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution by Dan L. Morrill: https://amzn.to/3KOJtwJ
100 Decisive Battles from Ancient Times to the Present, by Paul K Davis: https://amzn.to/3BBx1Ld
George Washington – A Military Life by Edward G Lengel: https://amzn.to/3Jc5kMs
General George Washington: A Military Life by Edward G. Lengel: https://amzn.to/3lowoQB
Valiant ambition : George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick: https://amzn.to/3yLXmoe
The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon by John Ferling: https://amzn.to/3JOdJXJ
Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner: https://amzn.to/3Lv5bqb
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
In 1780, the American War for Independence is at a stalemate. The British, eager to crush the rebellion once and for all, decide to change strategies and invade the American south. There, they will face not just the Continental Army, but also the backwoods militia who dominate the inland United States.
Meanwhile, the French and the Spanish will deal blow after blow to the British Empire, threatening not just Britain’s status in North America, but her dominance over world trade. With few friends on the world stage, Parliament faces a bitter truth: to save the Empire, they must sacrifice the Thirteen Colonies.
Map of the southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War: https://www.battlefields.org/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_original/public/thumbnails/image/Southern-Campaign-Map-%28June-2020%29.jpg?itok=BHGUi5Z5
SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE!
Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF
Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo
Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q
Subscribe on Google Music: https://bit.ly/30hUTRD
Relevant History on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk
Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR_3pYtLMjmaO6VOaFPuVsoXKJZ1Rv71vxXrxbdM_xVoOAYweMlT7BmPdvOaEvO-r9QRlTzTKFgMZjY/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift by Thomas E. Chavez: https://amzn.to/40V0XN1
The American Revolution: A Global War by Richard Ernest Dupuy: https://amzn.to/3K8K8at
Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution by Dan L. Morrill: https://amzn.to/3KOJtwJ
100 Decisive Battles from Ancient Times to the Present, by Paul K Davis: https://amzn.to/3BBx1Ld
George Washington – A Military Life by Edward G Lengel: https://amzn.to/3Jc5kMs
General George Washington: A Military Life by Edward G. Lengel: https://amzn.to/3lowoQB
Valiant ambition : George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick: https://amzn.to/3yLXmoe
The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon by John Ferling: https://amzn.to/3JOdJXJ
Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner: https://amzn.to/3Lv5bqb
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
In this bonus episode, Dan discusses the trend of historical presentism – judging past figures by present-day standards. Should we hold yesterday’s figures to today’s ethical norms? Or does history require a broader approach? Dan breaks down the case against presentism, along with a few points in its favor.
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Is History History? - https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/september-2022/is-history-history-identity-politics-and-teleologies-of-the-present
Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF
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Relevant History SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/relevant-history
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
In the years 1778 and 1779, the American revolutionaries work to keep the British army bottled up in New York City. At the same time, the British open a second offensive in the southern states, and encourage their Native American allies to open up a series of small frontier wars in the American West.
The American revolutionaries are also aided by new friends. For the first time, the French take an active role against the British. Sensing opportunity, Spain jumps on the bandwagon, hoping to retake their lost territory of Gibraltar. What began as a local uprising in the colonies is now an international war that threatens to bring the British Empire to its knees.
SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE!
Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF
Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo
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Relevant History on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk
Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRzzs6to_BPTh0nNQ3VJlhjg4VW4R8tEHcA5ZS17YhHvmBM03v7aYitMponUurYQFg-vEFfyyN8rtuS/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY:
George Washington – A Military Life by Edward G Lengel: https://amzn.to/3Jc5kMs
Navies and the American Revolution 1775-1783 by Robert Gardiner: https://amzn.to/3yth7AW
The Conquest of the Illinois by George Rogers Clark: https://amzn.to/3l51NY6
General George Washington: A Military Life by Edward G. Lengel: https://amzn.to/3lowoQB
Valiant ambition : George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution
by Nathaniel Philbrick: https://amzn.to/3yLXmoe
Portrait of a General: Sir Henry Clinton in the War of Independence by William Bradford Willcox: https://amzn.to/3lhVKjf
The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon by John Ferling: https://amzn.to/3JOdJXJ
The Royal Navy in European Waters During the American Revolutionary War by David Syrett: https://amzn.to/3LBVKoP
Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner: https://amzn.to/3Lv5bqb
Gibraltar and its Sieges, with a Description of its Natural Features by Frederic George Stephens: https://amzn.to/3Lt5AcG
Saturday Feb 18, 2023
Saturday Feb 18, 2023
In July of 1776, even as the ink on the Declaration of Independence is still drying, a British invasion force invades New York, forcing George Washington and the Continental Army to retreat into New Jersey and leave America’s largest port in British hands. By winter, the cause of the United Colonies appears lost.
But 1777 is a new year, and brings with it new opportunities. Will the colonists be able to turn things around and beat back the British? And if they win, what kind of country will they have created?
MAP OF NEW YORK CITY (MODERN): https://ontheworldmap.com/usa/city/new-york-city/
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Relevant History SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/relevant-history
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRzzs6to_BPTh0nNQ3VJlhjg4VW4R8tEHcA5ZS17YhHvmBM03v7aYitMponUurYQFg-vEFfyyN8rtuS/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
In the aftermath of the French and Indian War, Great Britain struggles to manage her enlarged North American holdings. In an effort to fund necessary garrison troops, Parliament levies a series of taxes on the 13 Colonies, who have previously held the right to manage their own taxes.
This leads to a series of protests and back-and-forth exchanges that culminates in an organized group of angry Bostonians pitching thousands of pounds worth of tea into Boston Harbor. When King George suspends the government of Massachusetts, it’s only a matter of time before violence breaks out.
In this episode, Dan delves into the origins and causes of the American Revolution, and how a trade protest turns into a full-blown war for independence.
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Relevant History SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/relevant-history
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR4RpvNWlKbI1Lo4hVVlsDs1mTc0gLvJ1qd5YyjHy59d297xt7_4cMhdbU9rxENDcUXv7zgBe2aTdCg/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Dan dives into current events once again, with an update on the war in Ukraine. Here’s where things stand in December 2022, along with some warnings for the future.
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Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
At the dawn of 1761, Frederick the Great’s Kingdom of Prussia is on the brink of collapse. Under attack by the Russians and Swedish in the north and the Austrians in the south, it would take a miracle for Prussia to survive. Meanwhile, the war in the west spreads to the Iberian peninsula, where Spain joins France in a surprise attack on British-allied Portugal.
In the conclusion of World War Zero, Dan talks about the final stages of the Seven Years’ War, and the political fallout around the globe. From Europe to North America to the Indian Subcontinent, the ripple effects will spread to the present day.
MAP OF EUROPE IN 1759: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Europe_1748-1766_en.png/1280px-Europe_1748-1766_en.png
FRONTENAC WITH NATIVE ALLIES:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Frontenac_with_the_Indians.jpg
SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE!
Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF
Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo
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RSS feed: https://bit.ly/2R0Iosz
Relevant History on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk
Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm
Relevant History SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/relevant-history
Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4
Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeKxq__lnUgyCzwIzrZGdnfgWsyfoVJSu3M_hTSQP1UyL51kNFXcv_jSsvYQmxrTGmiD1qX_KoTR6K/pub
Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan