High School History Recap

In this episode, Taylor Downing joins us to discuss his latest book "1983 The World at the Brink". Taylor is an historian who has written several best selling books (on topics like World War II and the Cold War). After getting some Cold War context, we dive into the question of how close the world came to nuclear Armageddon. Most of us know about the Cuban Missile Crisis, but the events of 1983 brought us even closer to the edge. We've asked Taylor about the significance of the doctrine of mutually assured destruction ("MAD") and whether that kept the superpowers at bay. This did not deter the US and Soviet Union from stockpiling their nuclear arsenals to full capacity. We discuss the presidency of Ronald Reagan and why Americans were so oblivious about the events that unfolded in 1983. Did the events of 1983 contribute to the end of the Cold? Find us on twitter at @WilliamHPalk or C_duPlessis.

Support the show

In this episode we discuss the Anglo-Zulu War with battlefield expert, Richard Wyllie. We look at how British imperialism, and specifically the idea of confederation, contributed to the outbreak of the war. Why were the British so interested in South Africa? We discuss the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift in more detail. Why was Isandlwana called the "Day of the Dead Moon"? Did you know that 11 VCs were awarded to British soldiers following the Battle of Rorke's Drift? We end by considering how the AZW might have affected the history of South Africa. Find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. 

Support the show

In this last episode of Season 1, we discuss Black Consciousness with historian, Dr Ian Macqueen. It is easy to reduce Black Consciousness to just a moment in South African history, but in reality it provided black people with the ideological tools to overcome fear. We start by looking at the radicalization of Afrikaner and African nationalism following World War II, and how this ultimately set the stage for confrontation. What were some of the key moments in the fight against apartheid in the 1950's? What is the importance of the formation of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in the development of Black Consciousness (BC) ideology? One cannot deny the contribution of Black Theology in the rise of BC. We discuss the role of Steve Biko in the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM). Why is he considered the father of BC? What about the other prominent figures like Mamphela Ramphele and Barney Pityana? We look at the roots of BC in the South African Students Organisation (SASO). Why did SASO split from NUSAS? Why did SASO originate in Durban? We look at the way in which Black Consciousness changed the thinking of black and oppressed people; how it became a way to reclaim a sense of self-esteem and humanity. The BCM also provided for a cultural reawakening. Do you know the Soweto Poets? We've also asked Dr Macqueen to explain the link between BC and the Soweto Uprising of 1976. How did Abram Tiro and the SASO 9 trial contribute to events that transpired in Soweto? We conclude by taking a look at the legacy of BC. Did this ideology end with the death of Steve Biko? Is there any relation between BC and Black Lives Matter? Black Consciousness should not be reduced to a moment in history, but provides an important starting point for necessary conversations around race relations in South Africa. Dr Macqueen is a lecturer at the University of Pretoria and his book, Black Consciousness and Progressive Movements Under Apartheid, goes into more detail on the topic. Reach out to us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

Support the show

In this episode we take a general look at setting assessments for the history classroom. Janine Broughton is an experienced history teacher who has traveled around South Africa training teachers on assessment and moderation. Lock-down has forced Janine to take on a new role - she now designs history assessments for a living. We take a look at the differences in assessments between state and private schools. We consider how history assessment has changed over the years. What is the role of the history teacher in 21st century? Janine's advice on assessment is to start with the end product in mind which is the Grade 12 final paper. We look specifically at IEB exams. Should history teachers pay attention to teaching values and morals? History should also be fun, especially in the junior grades because one can learn skills through play. But what are the skills that we should be teaching in the history class? Janine has compiled a list of six skills categories including source analysis, summarizing, group work and project work, debate and discussion, essay writing, and oral presentation. How does a history teacher determine the level or standard of assessment? We discuss Bloom's taxonomy, but also get into practical considerations like total marks and duration of papers, etc. If you would like Janine's help with setting or moderating your history assessments, please contact her at [email protected] or on (+27) 0834973792. Alternatively, find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

Support the show

In this episode we discuss how the discovery of diamonds changed the economic and political landscape of Southern Africa. We look at the development of the town of Kimberley. Who was Cecil John Rhodes and how did his company, De Beers Consolidated Mines, change the organisation of labour on the diamond fields? We look at the compound system and how the racial division of the industrial labour force came about. We consider how British imperialism and, more specifically, Britain's drive for confederation actually increased levels of conflict and division in Southern Africa. We look at the example of war between the Transvaal Boers and the Pedi people under the leadership of Sekhukhune. This is the first episode in a series that aims to provide a broad overview of South African history from 1870 to 1910. We've drawn on the work of the historian Robert Ross for this episode.

Support the show

In this podcast we discuss Black Power and the Black Panther Party with historian, Dr Ashley Farmer. Dr Farmer is the author of the fantastic book "Remaking Black Power: How Black Women Transformed an Era". What are the central principles of Black Power? Did Black Power start with Stokely Carmichael in 1966? We see that Black Power has a long history, going back to Marcus Garvey and Robert F Williams. Who were the Deacons for Defense? Black Power coalesced into a movement in the 1960's and 1970's. The term itself can actually be traced back to author Richard Wright. Dr Farmer shows how Black Power was more of an ideology, but that this way of thinking found expression in the Black Power Movement. Why is the Civil Rights Movement associated with non-violence, but Black Power with the use of force? How did this false dichotomy come about? Why do people still think Rosa Parks was either tired or old when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man? The Civil Rights Movement and Black Power were more like streams that weaved into each other. It wasn't necessarily two separate movements. Dr Farmer refers to these efforts for the liberation of African Americans as the Black Freedom Movement. But it is a fact that strategies and approaches differed depending on what black people's lives looked like. Why is Malcolm X considered the patron saint of Black Power? Why are women "left out" of the conventional Black Power narrative? Dr Farmer shows how the Moynihan Report of 1965 contributed to the silencing of women's voices. Who were some of important women in the Black Power movement? Ella Baker is quoted as saying "strong people don't need strong leaders".  To do Black Women's history is to do grassroots history. Find out why this is the case. What is the origin story of the Black Panthers? Where did the ideas and icons for the Black Panthers come from? We learn that there was way more to the Black Panthers than the much publicized "police the police". We also talk about the roles of Angela Davis and Kathleen Cleaver. We conclude by discussing the link between Black Power and Black Lives Matter. This was truly a very insightful discussion about a topic that definitely needs re-investigation. Find Dr Ashley Farmer on twitter @drashleyfarmer. Please give us some feedback @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.   

Support the show

In this episode we continue our discussion of World War II by looking at the Battle of Britain. One would think that all that needs to be said about this battle has been said, but that's definitely not the case. We look at the situation in Europe right before the Battle of Britain and how, with the fall of France, Britain "stood alone". What was Operation Sea Lion and Operation Eagle? We look at the stand-off between the German Luftwaffe and the British RAF. Who had the better planes? We see how the Germans faced some real operational challenges with their planned invasion of Britain and how this operation was eventually abandoned. There were a number of factors that counted in favour of the British, e.g. radar and the Ultra project. The British also managed to ramp up production while the Germans lagged behind. We end off by looking at the effects of the London Blitz. We've drawn on the work Robert Cowley, Marvin Perry, Thomas Childers (@TheGreatCourses), James Holland and Phillips O'brien. Follow the debate on twitter @PhillipsPOBrien and @James1940. Find us on twitter as well @WilliamHPalk and @C_duPlessis. 

Support the show

We have storyteller and filmmaker Steven Prowse on the podcast. He shares his very interesting views on history (e.g. it's not about names and dates but rather the how and why), and explains how he came across the story of the Night Witches. It is the story about Russian pilots flying wooden canvas spy planes (with no radar, no guns, no parachutes, no lights, and even no brakes) during World War II. They flew at night, dropped bombs and came back. They were the most successful regiment in the war. But that's not the great story! The great story is that all these pilots were women. This is truly one of those hidden histories that needs more promotion. Steven is actually an accountant (CFO) by day, but he has written a screenplay for a movie about the Night Witches. His screenplay has already won 33 competitions! Why were they called the Night Witches? Listen to the episode to find out. Visit the website www.thenightwitchesmovie.com to find more resources on these remarkable Soviet women. 

Support the show

In this episode I'm joined by Marj Brown. Marj is the president of the South African Society for History Teaching (SASHT). We talk about her journey into history teaching; how resisting apartheid made her realize how necessary and powerful education is in fighting racism. We weigh in on the death of George Floyd and why anger and resentment even reached South African classrooms. What is the role of the history teacher when it comes to teaching controversial topics like racism? We discuss some of the challenges history teachers face today. Did you know that there is a shortage of history teachers in South Africa (especially when one considers that the government wants to make history a compulsory subject in the senior grades)? Marj tells us more about the SASHT conference and SASHT's plans to make more resources available to history teachers. Marj has agreed to a monthly podcast episode to keep history teachers up to date with the latest developments in the field. You can email Marj Brown at [email protected] or follow her on twitter at @BrownMarj. Let us know what you think on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. 

Support the show

In this episode, Michael and I discuss historical knowledge skills. Michael is the creator of the historyskills.com website which contains excellent lessons for the history classroom. History knowledge skills include chronology, change and continuity, causes and consequences, significance, and motives and historical empathy. It's vital for history students to understand these very important knowledge skills, which are often central to assessments. Be sure to listen to the other two episodes on source criticism and research as well. Follow History Skills on twitter @HistorySkills. You are welcome to send suggestions and questions to @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

Support the show