A History of Europe, Key Battles

29/05/2024

New episode out now!

A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney.

Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy Carter’s Chief Domestic Policy Adviser. Later he went on to become President Bill Clinton's Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. And he served as the United States Ambassador to the European Union from 1993 to 1996

Listen to 75.1 Interview with Stuart E Eizenstat from A History of Europe, Key Battles. A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney. Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy...

06/11/2023

The End

So after nearly 10 years I have completed the project of writing a narrative of European history from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War. It took a lot longer than initially planned, mostly because I kept finding new things I wanted to tell my listeners about. Hard work sometimes but very enjoyable

Thank you to everybody who listened over the years, and especially to those who gave feedback, or reviews, or made donations. Together you all kept me going

I need to take a break now but plan to return at some point in the future.

03/11/2023

Treaty of Versailles (End of World War One)

The Paris Peace consisted of a group of distinct treaties, but the main concern of the delegates was the settlement with Germany, embodied in the Treaty of Versailles signed in June 1919.

Germany’s eastern frontiers presented far greater problems

Listen to 74.19 Treaty of Versailles from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The Paris Peace consisted of a group of distinct treaties, but the main concern of the delegates was the settlement with Germany, embodied in the Treaty of Versailles signed in June 1919.Germany’s eastern frontiers present...

29/10/2023

Endgame, 1918

In Spring 1918 a massive German offensive made significant territorial gains, but ultimately not the intended breakthrough, and the Allied forces stood firm. Exhausted and demoralised at the scale of casualties, the Germans were pushed back in a major counter-attack in the late Summer and Autumn. And on 26 September, the Allies launched a general offensive along the entire Western Front.

Meanwhile, the Habsburg empire was fast falling apart as various nationalities declared independence.

Listen to 74.18 Endgame, 1918 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. In Spring 1918 a massive German offensive made significant territorial gains, but ultimately not the intended breakthrough, and the Allied forces stood firm. Exhausted and demoralised at the scale of casualties, the Germans were pu...

25/10/2023

The Final Gamble, 1918

After the Russian withdrawal from the frontlines following the October revolution, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk is negotiated between Germany and Russia.

The Germans sought to conclude war on the Eastern Front as quickly as possible, while at the same time trying to establish an informal empire in east-central Europe, one composed of newly independent nation states on Russia’s western periphery. However, back on the German home front, after four harsh winters and widespread hunger, political unity was fraying, and riots and strikes occurred across the country.

Everything now depended on the success or failure of a German Spring Offensive on the western front.

Listen to 74.17 The Final Gamble, 1918 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. After the Russian withdrawal from the frontlines following the October revolution, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk is negotiated between Germany and Russia.The Germans sought to conclude war on the Eastern Front as quickly as....

24/10/2023

War of Attrition on the Western Front 1917

While the nations of Europe fought each other to a bitter stalemate, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, urged both sides to make peace. However, no agreement is made and the United States joined the war on the side of the Entente allies.

In the meantime, the Germans ordered a general withdrawal at the western front, abandoning the battlefields of the Somme in order to establish a shorter, straighter and more well-fortified line, the so-called ‘Hindenburg Line’. The eastern front is more volatile, seeing the collapse of the Russian army, a major defeat for the Italians at Caporetto and the fall of Jerusalem to the British

Listen to 74.16 War of Attrition on the Western Front 1917 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. While the nations of Europe fought each other to a bitter stalemate, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, urged both sides to make peace. However, no agreement is made and the United Stat...

21/10/2023

The Russian Revolution 1917

As the year 1917 dawned, Europe had been at war for two and a half years, and pressures on the home fronts were becoming intolerable. Every participant nation came under huge strain.

In Russia the Tsarist regime falls in March, but the interim government is unstable and itself falls in the famous October Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, who promises to withdraw Russia from the war.

Listen to 74.15 The Russian Revolution 1917 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. As the year 1917 dawned, Europe had been at war for two and a half years, and pressures on the home fronts were becoming intolerable. Every participant nation came under huge strain.In Russia the Tsarist regime falls....

20/10/2023

Battles of Verdun and The Somme 1916

Europe entered the year 1916 exhausted by one and a half years of conflict of a scale hitherto unimaginable, with profound effects on citizens at home, as well as those on the front line.
The most intensive battles on the western front in 1916 are at Verdun and the Somme, with extraordinary numbers of casualties.
Meanwhile, on the eastern front the Russians launch a major attack, the Brusilov offensive.

Listen to 74.14 Battles of Verdun and The Somme 1916 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. Europe entered the year 1916 exhausted by one and a half years of conflict of a scale hitherto unimaginable, with profound effects on citizens at home, as well as those on the front line.The most intensive ba...

20/10/2023

Turkey and Italy Enter the War, 1915

The first months of fighting in the First World War had seen no major breakthrough from any side.

Both sides attempt to bring other countries into the war to help break the stalemate and to tip the balance in their favour. The Italians, though deeply divided, decide in the end to join the side of Britain, France and Russia. And an allied attack against the Ottomans fails at Gallipoli.

Listen to 74.12 Turkey and Italy Enter the War, 1915 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The first months of fighting in the First World War had seen no major breakthrough from any side. The Germans had captured about ten percent of France, and reached within sixty miles of Paris, but then reache...

26/05/2023

Out now - the Eastern Front 1914.

The Russians strike hard against their most powerful enemy, Germany. Austro-Hungary help their German ally although their military forces are under-resourced, in large part because through the years the Hungarian parliament had restricted military finding by using it as a bargaining chip for political concessions.

While the Austrians attack Serbia, the Germans achieve a significant victory against Russia at the Battle of Tannenberg.

Listen to 74.11 The Eastern Front 1914 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The Russians strike hard against their most powerful enemy, Germany. Austro-Hungary help their German ally although their military forces are under-resourced, in large part because through the years the Hungarian parliamen...

29/04/2023

Out now - Europe Goes to War 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. A month later Austria retaliates by declaring war on Serbia, which in turn brings Russia and the other great powers of Europe into conflict. As Edward Grey memorably expressed it: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again on our lifetime”.

Listen to 74.9 Europe Goes to War 1914 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. A month later Austria retaliates by declaring war on Serbia, which in turn brings Russia and the other great powers of Europe into conflict. As Ed...

18/04/2023

Latest episode - Countdown to Catastrophe (First World War)

Why did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand trigger the First World War?

I also describe how the long struggle between European powers for mastery in central Africa reaches its climax.

Listen to 74.8 Countdown to Catastrophe (First World War) from A History of Europe, Key Battles. Why did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand trigger the First World War?I also describe how the long struggle between European powers for mastery in central Africa reaches its climax. www.patre...

13/04/2023

The Balkan Wars 1912-13

An analogy often given to the Balkans leading up to the First World War is a tinderbox, awaiting a flame to ignite it and set off a major conflagration across Europe. In fact, the region suffered a large-scale conflict already two years before the First World War began.
Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro had all acquired their independence from the Ottoman Empire over the course of the 19th century. None of them, however, were happy with the territory under their control. Each aspired to lands still under Ottoman rule in Albania, Macedonia and Thrace.

Listen to 74.7 The Balkan Wars 1912-13 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. An analogy often given to the Balkans leading up to the First World War is a tinderbox, awaiting a flame to ignite it and set off a major conflagration across Europe. In fact, the region suffered a large-scale conflict alr...

20/03/2023

Next couple of episodes may be delayed a week or two as I've had covid. I've been listening to earlier episodes. The first episode was on the Ancient Greeks and the Battle of Marathon.
Looking back, this podcast seems like a marathon - I've covered far more battles than I originally intended, having kept on finding interesting stories I wanted to talk about

In 490 BC the Ancient Greeks of Athens fought for their very survival and for their way of life against the Persian Empire. It is important because the Greeks were to help build the foundations of European civilisation See acast.com/priv...

17/03/2023

Out now - Italian Invasion of Libya 1911-12

After initial successes, the Italians face strong resistance against the Ottomans and Libyans

Listen to 74.6 Italian Invasion of Libya 1911-12 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The Italian invasion of Libya 1911.After initial successes, the Italians face strong resistance against the Ottomans and Libyanswww.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Edward Elgar (Th...

03/03/2023

Episode on Battle of Adowa 1896, Italian Invasion of Ethiopia. An introductory episode updating events in Italy and their invasion of Libya in 1911

Following their country's independence in the mid 19th century, the Italians hoped to establish their status among the Great European Powers by acquiring colonial possessions. Their first main attempt was an unsuccessful invasion of Ethiopia, with a defeat at the Battle of Adowa in 1896
https://shows.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope/745-battle-of-adowa-1896-italian-invasion-of-ethiopia

24/02/2023

The Red Sultan and the Young Turks Revolution

The Ottoman Empire is in disarray and its treasury bankrupt. Under Sultan Abdul Hamid, the Red Sultan, there are violent suppression of uprisings of the Armenians in Anatolia. And in the Balkans the Macedonians and Albanians appeal for independence. A rebellion in Macedonia leads to the The Young Turk revolution and the overthrow of the sultan.

11/02/2023

Out now - the Russo-Japanese War 1905
Tsar Alexander II of Russia is assassinated in March 1881. He was probably the most liberal of all tsars of Russia, but succeeded by reactionary leaders Alexander III and then Nicholas II. Nicholas unwisely provokes Japan into a war, and is defeated, which is a catalyst for an attempted revolution in Russia in 1905

Listen to 74.2 The Russo-Japanese War and Revolution of 1905 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. Tsar Alexander II of Russia is assassinated in March 1881. He was probably the most liberal of all tsars of Russia, but succeeded by reactionary leaders Alexander III and then Nicholas II. Nicholas un...

03/02/2023

Out now - First World War - Introduction, and Treaty Of Berlin 1878
The Treaty of Berlin 1878 was an attempt by the Great Powers of Europe to find a framework for stability in the troubled Balkans region, but there were many competing interests, many of them incompatible

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 74.1 First World War - Introduction, and Treaty Of Berlin 1878 - 3 Feb 2023

02/02/2023

Tomorrow begins the final series of the podcast - I'll cover the First World War over 19 episodes. Really looking forward to it. The image below is the ethnic make-up of the Austro-Hungarian empire leading up to the war.

08/01/2023

Happy New Year to all listeners of A History of Europe Key Battles podcast. Next I'm telling the story of the First World War, and the build-up to this conflict. Have a great 2023!

‎History · 2022

08/01/2023

Some Spotify stats for 2022

The standout moments of the year. Shout out to all the fans on Spotify.

16/12/2022

New Episode - Russo-Turkish War 1877-78

In April 1877, Russia invaded the Ottoman empire. The focus of the war became the siege of Plevna in Bulgaria. The strong resistance there gave the Turks real hope for a final victory, or at least holding off the enemy and forcing a more favourable diplomatic solution.

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 73.3 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 - 16 Dec 2022

13/12/2022

Russo-Turkish War 1877-78, Part 2

In April 1876 news spread across Europe of atrocities being committed in Bulgaria, by Turks against local uprisings. These occurred soon after similar events elsewhere in the Balkans region – in Bosnia and Serbia. The strongest reaction came from Russia where widespread sympathy for their fellow Slavs led to a nationwide surge in patriotism

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 73.2 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 - 9 Dec 2022

04/12/2022

Out now - Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 - Turmoil in the Balkans, which preceded the First World War.
Various nationalities (Serbians, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Albanians and Romanians) struggle for independence from the Ottoman Turks. Uprisings quickly spread across the region and result in a major war between the Ottomans and Russians

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 73.1 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 - Background - 2 Dec 2022

11/11/2022

Special episode out now - Philippa Gregory Interview.

Philippa has written novels set in several different historical periods, especially the Tudor period. We discussed the period around the Glorious Revolution 1688 when the Prince of Orange invaded England from Holland and replaced James II as king, and the Battle of Sedgemoor 1685 three years before.

Some of Philippa's novels have won awards and have been adapted into television dramas. The most successful of her novels has been The Other Boleyn Girl, published in 2001. Philippa has also published a series of books about the Plantagenets, the ruling houses that preceded the Tudors, and the Wars of the Roses.

Her new book is called Dawnlands, the third in a series named Fairmile.

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 72.1 Philippa Gregory Interview - 11 Nov 2022

07/11/2022

The History of Europe, Key Battles podcast has reached the grand milestone of 200 episodes 🥂 Just two conflicts to go - the Eastern Crisis/Russo-Turkish War 1877 and the First World War

‎History · 2022

05/11/2022

Coming soon - a special episode with an interview with Philippa Gregory, author of many historical fiction books including The Other Boleyn Girl and the White Queen

04/11/2022

Franco-Prussian War 1870-71: Germany, united under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, launches a major invasion into France, which ends up destroying the balance of power on the continent

‎Show A History of Europe, Key Battles, Ep 71.2 Franco-Prussian War 1870-71 - 4 Nov 2022