An expected selection of historical topics this week, starting with my fact of the week and a touch on revolution in On This Day. The heart of the matter is constitutions. Are they always written? Did the USSR have one? What did they look like in Germany? Listen to find out the answers to some of these questions!

Presented by:

• Matthew Carter

• Ali Aldous

• Anita Mancini

The first of our new discussion format, the way ahead for it all ends in history, as you can tell we veered off topic!

Thanks to Anita and Ali for getting involved.

(P.S sorry for the background noise, it really was windy!)

Hello there,

Matt here. I'd just like to let you know there's no episode this, well sort of. You see I'm trying out a new discussion style show, recording the first one on Thursday.

If it all goes swimmingly, you'll be the first to hear it.

See you later.

This week's special request comes from Emily, who wanted an episode all about Nazi foreign policy, so here we are.

Enjoy!

We aim to please here on It All Ends In History, and so for the next few weeks it's your special requests. Whatever topics you want me to take a gander at I will.

This episode was requested by Sam, and it takes us on a journey from the crucial factors in setting up a stable West German state back in 1949, to how it managed to stay stable to the eighties.

It's the final episode of the podcast for September and it just so happens to be the final of our special the Rise of Mussolini, you lucky listeners!

It really is the downfall of Mussolini in this episode.

Five years could change a lot in Fascist Italy, and this can be so clearly seen in foreign policy. In this episode, listen as Mussolini takes an enormous u-turn towards Germany, for better but mostly for worse.

Mussolini's state was one that had to focus on controlling the people. It did so mainly through propaganda, like the Cult of Il Duce, as well as trying to make sure that many were grateful for what the state had given them. There was terror involved too of course, but it was a bit different to other similar set-ups. Listen in to find out more...

Mussolini had lots of goals to strive for in setting up his fascist state, and not all of them were in the country. He saw foreign policy as incredibly important in creating his idea of Italy. He wanted prestige, closer relations to the masters in the Mediterranean Britain and France and an Italy that was a great power. Before 1935, the words 'Great Statesman' are really on Mussolini's mind.

The Italian Fascist Dictatorship was a state of consent. Consent of the elites, those powerful groups that held the power, and had given some of it to Mussolini. Mussolini had no choice but to work with them, and pander to them - for they were part of the foundations of all he had created. So, in this episode, let's look at how Mussolini dealt with these groups, and the issues he encountered along the way.