In the fifth episode of Ukraine's Story, we will focus on Ukraine's experience under yet another foreign rule, this time: the Russian Empire. From the reign of Catherine the Great up until the chaos of the 1917 Russian Revolution, we unravel the complex dynamics that shaped Ukraine's destiny within the imperial framework. Join us as we explore the cultural, social, and political landscape of Ukraine during this pivotal period, shedding light on how Ukrainian identity came into conflict with Russian Imperial forces, but how, ultimately, Ukrainian identity survived this domination and stayed alive - like a candle in a cave.

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 this gripping podcast episode, we delve into the dramatic events surrounding the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, AKA "The Butcher of Prague" or "The Blonde Beast". Codenamed "Operation Anthropoid", the daring mission was undertaken by Czechoslovak agents in 1942 to eliminate Heydrich, who was one of the chief architects of the Holocaust. We'll unravel the intricate details of the operation, shedding light on the conspirators' courage, the aftermath of Heydrich's death, and the far-reaching implications of this audacious act within the context of the Second World War.

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 the fourth episode of Ukraine's Story, we're going to cover the Polish-Lithuanian era of Ukraine's history. From the late 14th century until the mid-17th century, Ukraine was under the rule of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a powerful union of Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, that existed until the end of the 18th century. This era witnessed a complex interplay of cultural, religious, and political dynamics as vast swathes of Ukrainian territory became integral parts of the Commonwealth. Polish-Lithuanian rule represented yet another era of foreign domination for Ukraine, marked by a complex intermingling of cultures, political subjugation, and periodic tensions within the diverse socio-religious landscape of the region.

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 History Buff (now The Ministry of History) is back after a long break! Thanks for bearing with me, I was very busy over the summer with tours and then I spent the last few months getting heaps of new episodes together before I go travelling in January!

We're starting off with some more episodes of the Ukraine's Story series, where we trace Ukraine's fascinating national story, all the way from the mediaeval Kyivan Rus, all the way up to independence and the current Russo-Ukrainian War.

In this third part, I wanted to take a break from the various "eras" of Ukraine's history, and tell you about a very important part of Ukrainian national story - the Cossacks. These fascinating people, that originated from the steppes of Ukraine (the vast grassy expanses on the borderlands of Eastern Europe), were a unique culture unto themselves, fighting fierce battles, and leaving an enduring legacy that have helped shape Ukraine and Ukrainian identity.

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 the second episode of Ukraine's Story, we'll cover the Mongol era, which lasted from the Mongol invasion in the early 13th century and lasted until the end of the 15th century. It was also known as the "Tatar Yoke" and oversaw significant political, social, and economic changes to the region, including the imposition of tribute, the introduction of Mongol administrative systems, and the integration of Ukraine into the Mongol Empire.

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.

Not many people know that India got its first female prime minister in 1966, over ten years before Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979 in Britain. Indira Gandhi is a towering if controversial figure of Indian political history. Whilst being remembered as a strong leader and someone who helped India develop in a positive way, she is also known for her authoritarian style and centralisation of power during her time in power. She served as prime minister in two stints: from 1966 until 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

Join me as we take a look at the life of this very interesting woman!

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.

Given the current situation in Ukraine, I wanted to do a miniseries on Ukraine's story. So here it is. Follow me as I chart Ukrainian history from the first major Eastern Slavic state (the Kyivan Rus) all the way up until Ukrainian independence and beyond.

Kyivan Rus existed from around 882 until about 1240, and was Eastern Europe's first regional power. It had a huge influence on the forming of present day Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, most famously as the gateway of Eastern Orthodoxy into these lands. From its capital city Kyiv, it became a major trading hub, and with this, the major political and economic power in the region.

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 The History Buff's first interview, I am joined by retired army officer-turned historian/author Sir Barney White-Spunner. The book we discuss in this episode is his latest, called Berlin: The Story of a City. The book offers a fantastic oversight of Berlin's rich history, all the way from the thirteenth century, when it was a sleepy fishing and trading post on the banks of the River Spree, all the way through multiple eras, crises, wars and destruction, up until reunification in 1990 and beyond.

I ask Barney about his personal experiences of Berlin, from when he was an officer in the British Army posted to West Germany in the 80s and after. We also discuss how historical narratives about German history are dominated by those of the twentieth century, and how there is so, so much more to Berlin (and German) history.

If you want to know the whole story of Berlin, buy his book Berlin: The Story of a City.

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 History Buff's first co-hosted discussion, I am joined by friend, fellow history buff and half-Austrian Anna Morris. Listen to us talk about one of the most famous royals of European history: Empress Elisabeth of Austria (more commonly known as "Sissi"). Why is she so famous? Why do Austrians remember her so fondly? Follow us as we dive into her interesting and, ultimately, tragic life.

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.

Willy Brandt was famous for being the West German Chancellor that introduced a policy of rapprochement with East Germany and the Eastern Bloc in general - known as "Ostpolitik". He is remembered as a great statesman, who led the Federal Republic from 1969 until 1974 - when his premiership came to an abrupt end.

The reason: one of his closest aides, Günter Guillaume, was discovered to be an East German spy.

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.