History Loves Company

Despite its unstable beginnings, the Weimar Republic eventually took hold, ushering in a period of prosperity unlike any other in Europe at the time. The German capital of Berlin became the center of this thriving burst of creativity, rivaling Paris as the place to be for art and culture. Conditions improved immensely and it seemed that nothing could stop the growth the country was experiencing. But forces beyond its control were at play and the republic would once again find itself in trouble. Tune in to the conclusion of this special two-part episode to find out how it all happened.

Germany in the aftermath of World War One was a rough-and-tumble place. Having lost the war and in financial dire straits, it could barely keep itself afloat. In these difficult times, political factions vied for power over the fractured state and the common people suffered a great many hardships and struggles. And yet, from the ashes of such conditions rose the Weimar Republic, the first republic and democracy in German history. Tune in to the first part of this special two-part episode to learn more about this fascinating (albeit tumultuous) period.

Considered the indigenous Europeans, the Basques have called Northeastern Spain and Southwestern France home since the dawn of civilization. And yet, until recently, their origins have remained unknown. Who are these pastoral people who live along the Spanish/French border? Where did they come from? And what is their standing in Modern European society? Find out in this week's episode!

Britain in the 1960s was an exciting place, especially if you were a young person. From this explosion of culture, two distinct yet unique youth subcultures were born, the Mods and the Rockers. Expressing themselves in bold news ways, they were often in conflict with one another, the violence of which reached a crescendo in the spring of 1964. But were the scuffles between the two groups as bad as they were reported to be or was it a gross exaggeration by the media to incite a moral panic? Find out in this all-new episode!

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For nearly eight hundred years, much of the Iberian Peninsula (that is, Spain and Portugal) was ruled over by the Muslims. In that time, they built magnificent cities and beautiful structures that were meant to stand the tests of time. Then, by the late 15th Century, it was nothing more than a memory. Who were the Arabs who came to rule Spain? What did they accomplish in that country? And what remains of their legacy? Find out in this, the final episode of 2020!

Just five months into World War One in December 1914, fighting along the Western Front came to a stalemate when both Allied and German forces made it to the shores of the North Sea in Belgium. Then, just before Christmas, the unthinkable happened. Troops from both sides made an unofficial ceasefire in order to celebrate the holiday together. What triggered the so-named Christmas Truce of 1914 and what effect did it have on the broader conflict? Find out in a special holiday edition of the History Loves Company podcast!

The Jewish Diaspora has seen the Jewish people scattered throughout the globe, sometimes in the remotest of places, namely as a result of continued persecution. Of all the places they've settled, however, perhaps none is as unique as the city of Kaifeng in Eastern China, which is the home of a rich and vibrant Jewish community dating back over a thousand years. Who are the Jews of Kaifeng? How did they end up in China? And is their heritage in danger of disappearing? Find out in today's enlightening episode.

The Battle of Thermopylae is considered to be a defining moment not just in Greek history, but in the entirety of Western Civilization. In 480 BC, the Greeks, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, fought valiantly to stop the threat of invasion by one of the largest and most powerful empires in the Ancient World: Persia. What led up to this decisive battle? What was the outcome? And how might Western society look if it had been different? Tune in to this exciting episode to learn more!

In the 244 years since the United States was founded, it has come to control fifty states and sixteen overseas territories. Of the fifty states, however, how many can claim the distinction of having been formerly independent nations? Perhaps the most impressive of these was Texas which, between 1836 and 1845, was its own sovereign state before ultimately being annexed by the United States. What was Texas the country like and why did it ultimately agree to become a U.S. state? Tune in to today's all-new episode to find out!

For centuries, what was known of Nubia and the Nubians came down to us from Ancient Egyptian records and sources, leading some (including seasoned archaeologists in the early 20th Century) to assume that they had been founded and influenced by that great civilization. This, however, could not be farther from the truth. Just who were the Nubians and what was their distinct culture and society like? Find out in today's all-new episode!