Nick Shepley

Black Thursday to Black Tuesday: A Timeline of the 1929 Stock Market Crash In 1929, the stock market crash marked a turning point in American history, unfolding as a dramatic five-day saga of panic and economic restructuring. Beyond its single-event narrative, this period reveals the deep-rooted vulnerabilities of 1920s capitalism.

Black Thursday to Black Tuesday: A Timeline of the 1929 Stock Market Crash

Beyond the Stock Market Crash: The Real Underlying Causes of the Great Depression Beyond its dramatic events, the Great Depression exposed capitalism's inherent instability, with interconnected factors like banking panics and international crises transforming domestic issues into a worldwide catastrophe.

Beyond the Stock Market Crash: The Real Underlying Causes of the Great Depression

Beyond the Bonus Army: The CCC, WPA, and PWA and the Fight for American Livelihoods During the Great Depression, the American West faced severe economic hardship, with the Dust Bowl and plummeting commodity prices leaving farms and ranches struggling. The New Deal, spearheaded by FDR, implemented programs like the CCC, WPA, and PWA to create jobs and restore economic stability.

Beyond the Bonus Army: The CCC, WPA, and PWA and the Fight for American Livelihoods

Porn, Gambling, and the Mafia-isation of Modern America – A Conversation with Dennis Broe In the latest Explaining History Podcast episode, Dennis Broe discusses his novel Pornocopia, highlighting the intertwined evolution of the gambling and pornography industries in post-war America. By 2024, global porn profits reached $76 billion, overshadowing Hollywood's $8.5 billion. Broe's work explores societal conditions influencing these industries and their effects on intimacy and human relationships.

Porn, Gambling, and the Mafia-isation of Modern America – A Conversation with Dennis Broe

In the latest Explaining History Podcast episode, Dennis Broe discusses his novel Pornocopia, highlighting the intertwined evolution of the gambling and pornography industries in post-war America. By 2024,…

The Rushdie Fatwa: A Literary Bomb and Its Fallout, 1989-2026 The fatwa issued by Khomeini in 1989 against Salman Rushdie's novel escalated into a worldwide controversy. It highlighted the intersection of religious authority and free expression, leaving a lasting impact on debates about blasphemy and state power.

The Rushdie Fatwa: A Literary Bomb and Its Fallout, 1989-2026

Tanker Wars and the Iran-Contra Affair: The Secret War in the Gulf, 1984-1988 As the Iran-Iraq War dragged on into the sea, America's dual policies fueled suspicion and hostility, setting the stage for the enduring tensions that would define U.S.-Iran relations for decades.

Tanker Wars and the Iran-Contra Affair: The Secret War in the Gulf, 1984-1988

When London Was a Revolutionary Hub – The Russian Émigrés of 1917 In March 1917, the Tsar fell. Within days, Russian political exiles scattered across Europe began packing their bags. The only problem was getting home—and that meant going through London. The News Arrives When the February Revolution happened in 1917, one of the key challenges for governments around the world was trying to make sense of it. Russia was a difficult country to understand at the best of times.

When London Was a Revolutionary Hub – The Russian Émigrés of 1917

In March 1917, the Tsar fell. Within days, Russian political exiles scattered across Europe began packing their bags. The only problem was getting home—and that meant going through London. The News Arrives When the February…

Can we get #hagueseth trending?

The Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988: A Crucible of Blood and Ideology The Iran-Iraq War, initiated by Iraq's strategic invasion in 1980, was a brutal and prolonged struggle that reshaped the Middle East's political landscape, leaving deep psychological and political scars that continue to impact Iranian society today.

The Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988: A Crucible of Blood and Ideology

The Allied Invasion and Abdication of 1941: When World War II Redrew Iran The 1941 invasion of Iran, orchestrated by Allied forces, was a critical yet often overlooked turning point in the country's modern history. It led to the swift removal of Shah Reza Pahlavi, altering the geopolitical landscape and sowing seeds for later conflicts.

The Allied Invasion and Abdication of 1941: When World War II Redrew Iran

Recorded Live Video: Explaining History goes live | Explaining History Get more from Explaining History on Patreon

My speculative thoughts on precisely how much Trump will regret listening to Netanyahu. Spoiler alert, it’s gonna be bigly: www.patreon.com/posts/152202...

The Habsburg Army in 1914 – Structural Weakness and Strategic Fantasy *When we think of military incompetence in the First World War, our minds turn instinctively to the Western Front—to Haig, to Passchendaele, to the "lions led by donkeys" thesis. But the Habsburg army, which fought the Russians and the Italians across vast and challenging theaters, offers an even starker case study in structural weakness and strategic fantasy.* The Manpower Problem…

The Habsburg Army in 1914 – Structural Weakness and Strategic Fantasy

*When we think of military incompetence in the First World War, our minds turn instinctively to the Western Front—to Haig, to Passchendaele, to the "lions led by donkeys" thesis. But the Habsburg army, which fought the Russians…

From Neoconservative Dream to Spontaneous War: The Trajectory of American Empire in Iran In this expanded analysis, we trace the long arc of American intervention in the Middle East—from the calculated ambitions of the Project for a New American Century to the erratic, improvisational warfare of the Trump era. The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei marks not a triumph of strategy, but the culmination of a decades-long decline in American statecraft. The Origins: Project for a New American Century…

From Neoconservative Dream to Spontaneous War: The Trajectory of American Empire in Iran

In this expanded analysis, we trace the long arc of American intervention in the Middle East—from the calculated ambitions of the Project for a New American Century to the erratic, improvisational warfare of…

A COLLECTION OF THE DUMBEST DUDES YOU KNEW FROM HIGH SCHOOL FELT EMASCULATED WHEN A BLACK MAN GOT ELECTED PRESIDENT, SO, TO COMPENSATE WE NOW HAVE A SEMI-SENTIENT PIG'S STOMACH IN A RED HAT STARTING AN ILLEGAL WAR TO DISTRACT THE COUNTRY FROM ALL THE SEX CRIMES HE COMMITTED JAY BLACK

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Keir Starmer's attempt to paint the Greens as extremists yet again reveals his intolerance of political difference. His instincts are illiberal and authoritarian.

#podcast #history #africanauthor #historicalfiction #authorinconversation #1stofdecember

Karen Jennings' latest novel First of December, comes out on March 26th.

As we approach publication, Karen talks to Nick Shepley on The Explaining History Podcast about slavery and abolition in the context of both past and present.

You can hear the full podcast at :
shows.acast.com/explaininghi...

The Dowding System and the Battle of Britain In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we dive into military history—a departure from our usual focus on social and diplomatic history—to explore Richard Overy's magisterial work, The Bombing War, and the crucial role of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding in Britain's survival during the summer and autumn of 1940. I'll be honest: I've often shied away from military history, partly because of how it's been popularised.

The Dowding System and the Battle of Britain

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we dive into military history—a departure from our usual focus on social and diplomatic history—to explore Richard Overy's magisterial work, The Bombing War, and the crucial role of Air Chief Marshal…

Beyond the Act: What Did Emancipation Really Mean? Beyond the Act: What Did Emancipation Really Mean? We tend to think of historical moments like the abolition of slavery as a clean break—a line in the sand. But what if the day you were declared "free," nothing actually changed? In the latest episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I sat down with novelist Karen Jennings to discuss her new book, …

Beyond the Act: What Did Emancipation Really Mean?

Beyond the Act: What Did Emancipation Really Mean? We tend to think of historical moments like the abolition of slavery as a clean break—a line in the sand. But what if the day you were declared "free," nothing actually changed? In the latest…

Breaking the Mould – The Whitlam Government and the Remaking of Australian Women’s Lives In 1973, the Whitlam government ushered in groundbreaking reforms, propelled by relentless advocacy from the women's liberation movement. With policies like equal pay and women's refuges, they reshaped the nation's stance on gender equality.

Breaking the Mould – The Whitlam Government and the Remaking of Australian Women's Lives

Twelve Poles That Shook the Nation – The Aboriginal Tent Embassy and the Making of Modern Black Politics In 1972, four Aboriginal men erected an umbrella in Canberra, igniting a protest that would challenge Australia's foundations. Their demand: land rights now. This act was more than a protest; it was a bold assertion of sovereignty and a catalyst for Aboriginal political organizing.

Twelve Poles That Shook the Nation – The Aboriginal Tent Embassy and the Making of Modern Black Politics

From ‘On the Beach’ to ‘High Voltage’ – How Australia Found Its Cultural Voice Experience the transformation of Australian culture from a nation confined by British influence to one bold enough to define itself through iconic music like AC/DC. Discover how Nevil Shute's 'On the Beach' foresaw a nation on the brink, while AC/DC's debut roared to life, challenging the world to recognize Australia's unique voice.

From 'On the Beach' to 'High Voltage' – How Australia Found Its Cultural Voice

The Reluctant Republic – How Australia Stopped Being British

Splitting the Atom, Building the Suburbs – How the Snowy Mountains Scheme Remade Australia

Article 4: The Personal Becomes Political – How Women’s Liberation Remade Australia From courtroom battles to grassroots activism, the women's liberation movement permanently altered Australia's perception of power and equality.

Article 4: The Personal Becomes Political – How Women's Liberation Remade Australia

The Pint and the Picket – How the Australian New Left Drank with the Old Guard In the turbulent 1970s, Australia's left fractured and fused in unexpected alliances, redefining labor movements and student activism. Witness how the New Left's radical vision collided with the seasoned blue-collar militancy, sparking transformative changes in Australian politics.

The Pint and the Picket – How the Australian New Left Drank with the Old Guard

The Empty Chair Speaks – The 1967 Referendum and the Politics of Symbolism This pivotal referendum reshaped the Constitution, but left unresolved issues of land rights and discrimination, setting a complex legacy for Aboriginal activism.

The Empty Chair Speaks – The 1967 Referendum and the Politics of Symbolism

Article 1: The Forgotten Architects of the Menzies Era – Migrant Labour and the Unmaking of Assimilation Australia's post-war immigration policy, championed by Arthur Calwell, sought to 'populate or perish,' inviting over a million displaced persons and refugees. Despite assimilation promises, migrants were integral to shaping the nation, quietly defying assimilation and becoming architects of Menzies-era prosperity.

Article 1: The Forgotten Architects of the Menzies Era – Migrant Labour and the Unmaking of Assimilation

Beyond Borders: A Global History of 20th-Century Migration and Displacement In the 20th century, unprecedented human mobility reshaped nations and cultures. Driven by war and ideology, millions moved across borders, challenging state-imposed controls. Discover how this century's migrations became a catalyst for global change.

Beyond Borders: A Global History of 20th-Century Migration and Displacement

Remittance Rails: The Hidden Economics of Global Migration