On the tenth episode of the Ukraine's Story series, we will delve into the events of the Revolution of Dignity (or Euromaidan), which unfolded in late 2013 and early 2014. It was a series of mass protests and demonstrations in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Sparked by President Yanukovych's decision to suspend an association agreement with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Russia, the movement evolved into a broader call for democratic reforms, an end to government corruption and closer ties with Europe and the West. The protesters, known as Euromaidan activists, endured harsh winter conditions as they occupied Kyiv's Independence Square. The movement culminated in February 2014 with the ousting of President Yanukovych, marking a pivotal moment in Ukraine's modern history. Ukraine was at a crossroads, torn between closer ties with the West and maintaining historical ties with Russia, reflecting the nation's internal struggle in defining its geopolitical identity and future direction.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frida Kahlo was a renowned and iconic Mexican artist, who is celebrated for her emotionally charged and surreal self-portraits that reflect the pain and suffering of her tumultuous life. Overcoming numerous physical and emotional challenges, Kahlo's distinctive style merges traditional Mexican folk art with elements of Surrealism, creating a unique and deeply personal body of work. Kahlo explored Mexican folklore, traditions, and the struggles of the working class, thereby fostering a deep sense of national pride. Her commitment to celebrating and preserving Mexican culture, coupled with her defiance of societal norms, has made her a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and a feminist icon in Mexico and around the world.

For this discussion I am joined by Luis, a specialist in US and Latin American history.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the ninth part of the Ukraine's Story series, we will see how in the 1990s, Ukraine emerged from the shadows of the Soviet Union to reclaim its independence. The pivotal moment came on 24 August 1991, when the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, declared the country's independence following the failed coup attempt in Moscow. This declaration marked the end of decades of Soviet rule, allowing Ukraine to forge its own path as a sovereign nation. The 1990s were a period of profound transformation and nation-building for Ukraine, characterised by the establishment of democratic institutions, economic reforms, and the cultivation of a unique national identity after years under the Soviet umbrella. It wasn't all plain sailing though... at all.

Find out how you can support Ukraine in its struggle for peace and freedom here.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this discussion episode, I am joined by Chris Hoitash, an expert in US and European military and political history. In this episode, we discuss the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were pivotal events during Second World War, marking the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare. On 6 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, instantly killing tens of thousands of people and causing widespread devastation. Three days later, on 9 August, 1945, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, leading to further catastrophic consequences. The bombings played a significant role in Japan's surrender, but they also raised ethical and moral questions about the use of nuclear weapons and their long-term consequences on human lives and the environment. The events underscored the devastating impact of nuclear warfare and contributed to the subsequent global efforts to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Find more from Chris at his website and on his Patreon.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chernobyl disaster (Chornobyl in Ukrainian) stands out as one of the most pivotal events in Ukrainian history. On 26 April 1986, a catastrophic explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant not only resulted in immediate loss of life and widespread health implications but also left an enduring environmental impact. The disaster exposed the shortcomings of the Soviet system, highlighting a lack of transparency and safety measures, and could be considered to have hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union, which occurred 5 years later in 1991. Join The History Buff as we talk about this fascinating but ultimately tragic event.

Find out how you can support Ukraine in its struggle for peace and freedom here.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Soviet era in Ukraine left an indelible mark on the nation, shaping its socio-political landscape over the course of seven decades. From the forced collectivisation of agriculture to the devastating Holodomor famine, Ukrainians endured significant hardships under Soviet rule. The era witnessed cultural suppression and attempts to foster a distinct Soviet Ukrainian identity. Despite the challenges, the Soviet period also saw moments of industrialisation and urbanisation, transforming Ukraine into an important economic hub within the Soviet Union.

Find out how you can support Ukraine in its struggle for peace and freedom here.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1970, Chile sent shockwaves through the Cold War-ridden world, particularly rattling the White House in Washington DC, as Salvador Allende became the world's first democratically elected Marxist president. Allende promptly embarked on a socialist trajectory for Chile, but from the outset, he faced challenges from both internal and external forces. US President Richard Nixon instructed his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, to orchestrate measures aimed at causing upheaval in Chile, stating his desire to "make Chile scream."

By 1973, Chile's economic situation had severely deteriorated, exacerbated in no small part by US economic blockades. The Chilean military, traditionally non-political until then, chose to intervene and oust Allende from power. The coup unfolded on September 11, 1973, a day that continues to cast a lingering shadow over Chile. The subsequent regime, led by dictator Augusto Pinochet, left an enduring legacy that still haunts the country to this day.

I am joined by fellow history buff Teo to discuss the coup itself and its repercussions In Chile to this day.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu, the longtime ruler of Romania, marked a watershed moment in the country's history. In December 1989, widespread public discontent erupted into a full-scale revolution, leading to the overthrow of Ceaușescu's regime. Images of mass protests and the violent suppression of dissent shocked the world. The iconic moment came when Ceaușescu attempted to address the nation but was met with public outrage, eventually fleeing Bucharest. His capture, trial, and subsequent execution on Christmas Day 1989 symbolised the end of an era, paving the way for Romania's transition to a post-communist era and a new chapter in its political landscape. Images of his and his wife Elena's execution found their way on to television screens around the world.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know Ukraine did in fact have a short period of independence after the Russian Revolution? When Russia descended into chaos after the abdication of the Tsar in March 1917, Ukraine seized its chance and became the Ukrainian People's Republic. Borne out of the turmoil of war and revolution, the UPR grappled with intense instability driven by shifting geopolitical forces, internal divisions, and foreign interventions, reflecting a volatile period of uncertainty and political flux. Unfortunately, it was doomed from the start.

Find out how you can support Ukraine in its struggle for peace and freedom here.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You may recognise her as the woman who, in the face of impending death from cancer at the age of just 33, implored Argentina not to cry for her from the iconic balcony of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires. She certainly made a lot of speeches from the balcony of the Casa Rosada. She knew how to connect to a crowd. She also knew how to ruffle feathers, and didn’t care that she did so. Even though it was actually her husband who was the president, Evita has become the enduring face of his political legacy (known as “Peronism”).

In this episode, which is half an hour longer than the usual time limit (as there was so much to talk about and the original conversation was almost 3 hours long!), I am joined by Buenos Aires tour guide Mercedes as we delve deep into the life of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952, and explore some of the controversies and myths surrounding her. Loved and despised in equal measure in Argentina, with no middle ground, her legacy is a very divisive one with each side claiming certain truths about her life. We’re going to try as much as possible to talk objectively about her and find the nuance between the two emotionally charged narratives of Evita.

If you are planning on visiting Buenos Aires, do take a tour with Mercedes, she is absolutely fantastic - knowledgable, insightful, objective and impartial. 10/10. Book a tour with her.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.