The Atlantic World

England and the Eastern Seaboard of America, 1586-1590.

After the disastrous first expedition, everyone agreed that Roanoke was a terrible place and should not be colonised. That was until it was colonised a second time, but not by choice. Conspiracy and mutiny would force Walter Raleigh to have to deal with that troublesome island again, meanwhile King Philip II of Spain is assembling the largest armada to ever sail against England, plunging the high seas into anarchy as privateers run wild and colonies become isolated. And finally, why the mystery of the Roanoke Colony isn't as mysterious as you may have thought.

Virginia, 1583-1586.

In the late 1500's, on the small island of Roanoke, approximately 120 English settlers to the New World disappeared without a trace. They left no signs of struggle and no clues to follow except the word "CROATOAN" carved into a nearby tree. To this day, we don't know for certain what happened to these English men and women who chose to settle in America. In this first of a two-part exploration, we look at the first founding of Roanoke that was eventually abandoned under threat of Indian attack. Who led the expedition to Virginia, and why? Then in the next episode we can look at the second attempt the following year, where an entire colonial town vanished without a trace.

The Low Countries, 1566-1609.

Dutch independence from Spain was a landmark episode in European history. It created Northern Europe's first independent republican state out of a portion of the declining Habsburg empire, and gave rise to new concepts regarding national sovereignty, whilst also plunging Europe into nearly a century a increasingly destructive conflicts. But it gave the Dutch the leg-up they needed to assert their future role as a contender for the Atlantic Crown, becoming the base for many of Europe's financial institutions. So how did this loose confederacy of provinces ignite the age of revolution?

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Mexico and Southwest North America, 1521-1598.

Back to our regular release schedule, and we're wrapping up our adventures with the Spanish Empire in North America. The transition from Charles V to Philip II would see Spain's global prestige reach new heights. This golden age is responsible for Spanish language and culture being one of the most easily recognisable in the western world, and would mark the first major attempts to construct European societies on the American mainland. But America was not empty, and the millions of Indians who called the continent their homeland would have to now choose whether to integrate or maintain their identities. How would this clash of cultures shape the future of the Atlantic?

Music used under License by Epidemic Sound:

Anthology Episode 1.

So this week we're taking a break from our story to turn our attention to how nations fought between the 15th and 18th centuries, and what they used. The arrival of the matchlock musket to Europe didn't kick off an arms race at first, but within a century or so, muskets and rifles would come to dominate on the battlefield, making wars deadlier and irreversibly transforming the social and political structure of the continent. It's also letting me test out a new format, including using actual music as well as SFX. So feedback would be super appreciated!

Music used under License by Epidemic Sound:

The Valley of Mexico, 1501-1521.

This week, we take a look at the first continental inroads the Europeans made in America. No longer confined to mere islands in the Caribbean, the Spanish begin probing at the fringes of the Aztec and Maya nations on the mainland. This would prove to be a defining moment, where conquistadors reap untold wealth, but with that comes a heavy price. The violence and bloodshed that follows the European invasion will usher in the downfall of once mighty empires. We take a look at how both sides came to blows, and how the Spanish expedition of Hernan Cortes was nearly wiped out at the hands of the Aztec martial spirit.

Link to Map: https://imgur.com/a/Yb3m2v2

Central and Southern America, 1400-1500.

This week, we're pausing the main story and taking a look at our first major destination: Mesoamerica. At the height of their power, the Aztec and Inca Empires held sway over millions of subjects and vast cities that were shaped by thousands of years of history, just as in Europe. In this episode, we take a look at the religion, infrastructure, military, and government of these ancient empires.

Listen to the episode on Soundcloud.

Music Licensed via Epidemic Sound:

Spain and the Gulf of Mexico, 1492-1508.

In this episode, we take a look at the four voyages of Christopher Columbus. Beginning in 1492, with the opening of the African continent to European outposts, the stage was set for further exploration westward. Columbus' legacy looms large today, but what actually happened on each of these trips? Who did he discover and what were they like?

Listen to the episode on Soundcloud.

Europe, 1453-1492.

The Middle Ages were coming to a dramatic close at the siege of Constantinople. This pilot episode deals very briefly with what Europe looks like at this crucial turning point, and sets the scene for future episodes. We look at the Reconquista's effects on Spanish imperialism, the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty in England, and the eventful reign of Charles VIII of France.

Listen to the episode on Soundcloud.