High School History Recap

A new year, and a new exciting season of High School History Recap! We kick off the year with a conversation with Kelly Chase of the History Detective podcast. Why did this history teacher venture into podcasting? We discuss the importance of creating a detective mindset to counter all the misinformation and conspiracy theories out there. Kelly also talks about the most difficult and most surprising cases she solved in 2020. Join us to find out more about Kelly's creative and empathizing sides as well.

Visit Kelly's website historydetectivepodcast.com for all the episodes of season 1 and have a look at the great resources history teachers can use in their classes. She is also on twitter @HistoryDetect.

For more information on High School History Recap, find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or C_duPlessis.

Support the show

This is Part 2 of the story of Stoicism with Donald J Robertson. We discuss Socrates's uncomplicated take on the truth. How did the Stoic philosophy of Socrates differ from that of Marcus Aurelius? We look at how Stoicism (and beards) became popular in Rome. Some of the Stoics we talk about include Cato the Younger, Epictetus, . How did Roman (or Mediterranean) slavery differ from the Transatlantic Slave Trade? We look at why Roman senators plotted to assassinate Julius Caesar after he became "dictator for life". Did you know Brutus was a nephew of Cato? We discuss Octavian's rise to power and how he paved the way for Roman emperors to get into Stoicism. Donald tells us more about Nero's spin doctor, Seneca. Why did this famous Stoic writer remain loyal to the murderous Nero? We ultimately touch on the thinking of Marcus Aurelius. How would Marcus Aurelius have dealt with a year like 2020? He also faced a pandemic (the Antonine Plague) in lifetime, but to him there was a more serious pandemic - anger. A great conversation to end 2020 with!

Visit Donald's website or find him on twitter @DonJRobertson. Find us on twitter as well @WilliamHPalk or C_duPlessis.

Support the show

In this episode, I explore the story of Stoicism with Donald Robertson. It takes us all the way back to Socrates, who is considered to be the godfather of Stoicism. Donald tells a number of stories related to the emergence of this school of philosophy. Did you know that Plato's Academy was only one of many gymnasia in ancient Greece? We talk about the misfortunes of Zeno (the Phoenician dye merchant), and how his encounter with the Oracle of Delphi set him out on a quest to piece together the teachings of Socrates. But what is Stoicism all about? Find out more about developing a mindset that enables us to overcome our irrational passions, desires and emotions. Donald is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and author of six books (the latest on the Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius). Visit his website, or follow him on twitter @DonJRobertson.

Support the show

In this episode Ayanda and I discuss a number of issues related to South African history. Ayanda is the founder of the Ilibo Group - a Village Comcast initiative aimed at "telling South African stories the South African way". If you want to watch the interview, please follow this link.  Find Ayanda on twitter @restored_80 or subscribe to her YouTube channel at Ilibo Village Community Cast. Let us know what you think @WilliamHPalk. 

Support the show

In this episode Colin and I look at the causes of World War I. We first discuss the components of the historical narrative and then move on to that very famous spark of the war: the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. We look at some of the long term causes of the war as well, including nationalism, militarism, imperialism and alliances (the MAIN causes). Please find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. If you want to join us on the show to discuss your teaching techniques, latest research or upcoming book, please do make contact! We want to grow the love for history.

Support the show

In his resignation address in December 1991, Gorbachev referred to the "suffocating shackles of the Soviet Union's bureaucratic command system".  What was Gorbachev's role in the collapse of the Soviet Union? We start the story with the fall of the Berlin Wall as the signature event of the end of the Cold War, but we also look at how the Soviet Union arrived at the point where they would (or could) no longer assert their power of countries in Eastern Europe. We assess Gorbachev's policies of perestroika and glasnost and how he set events in motion of which he could no longer control the outcome. We consider what happened in Poland in the 1980's and how a new and democratic Solidarity government rose to power and how this fueled democratic revolutions across Eastern Europe. We also take a look at the rise of Boris Yeltsin in Russia and his stand-off with the new Russian parliament.

If you want a PDF Presentation of this episode, please mail us at [email protected]. Alternatively, reach out to us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

Support the show

Join us for a discussion on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with African historian, Dr Glen Ncube. We take a broad view of the history of the Congo from the time of Belgian king Leopold II to Mobutu Sese Seko. We zoom in on how the Congo became an independent country under Patrice Lumumba and find out more about his unfortunate assassination.  How did Joseph Mobutu come to power? We also place the struggles in the Congo in the wider context of the Cold War. How authentic was Mobutu's policy of Africanization (or Mobutuism)? What is the link between the Rwandan Genocide and the end of Mobutu's rule? Find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

Support the show

In this episode we tell the story of the Anglo-Boer War with the help of 10 objects. Dane Swanepoel is the educational specialist at the Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein. The objects include: a French postcard on British Imperialism, a cartoon on Cecil John Rhodes and his Cape to Cairo Railway, a statue titled Afskeid, a bust of De La Rey, a statue of the agterryers, a bust of Sol Plaatjie, a blockhouse, a statue of a Bittereinder and the Women's Memorial. Please email William at [email protected] or Dane at [email protected] if you would like to receive a pdf doc with all images of all the objects. You can also find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.  

Support the show

An episode on the historian's craft! Professor Karen Harris joins us on the podcast to tell us more about an initiative she started at the University of Pretoria to expose history students to archival material. We discuss how the teaching of history has changed over the years. Prof Harris points to the importance of the subject of history, but also the instrumental role of the history teacher. What is "doing" history really about? How is it different from just "learning" history? Prof Harris invites us to go beyond Von Ranke's straightjacket and really read against the grain. "What's in the Box" is a brilliant initiative that all history teachers should consider using in their teaching strategies. 

Support the show

In this episode we look at the reasons for Hitler's decision to invade the Soviet Union in June 1941. Why was it called Operation Barbarossa? The Germans put together a large army (of up to almost 4 million soldiers) and they employed a three-pronged invasion strategy. We look at the role of the Einsatzgruppen in executing part of the Nazi's Final Solution. Why did Operation Barbarossa come to a halt in July 1941? We discuss the Russian winter, but also consider the willpower of the Russian soldiers. Was this invasion Hitler's biggest mistake? Find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. 

Support the show