Everything History Podcast

This episode picks up right after the accession of James II to the Crown. In this episode the narrative quickly covers several shaky years of James II's rule as tensions slowly mount within not only the British Isles, but all of Europe. The episode concludes with a momentous decision by William of Orange. 

Update on upcoming episodes.

Episode 26 serves as an introduction to the English Revolution of 1688 so you know what's happening and why it's happening. I also get some assistance from Professor Rabin at the University of Illinois. 

I answer fan/listener questions that have been sent to the podcast. Especially those concerning the French Revolution. 

We conclude the history of the French Revolution of 1789 with the creation of the French Directory in late 1795. This episode covers the Thermidorian Reaction, the White Terror, and the creation of the Constitution of 1795. The importance of the French Revolution as a whole is also addressed. 

The climax of the entire French Revolution, but not for any good reasons. Episode 23 explains the stories and history of the horrifying Reign of Terror. During which the French revolutionaries and republicans butcher hundreds of thousands of their own citizens and Robespierre completes his rise to become a tyrant. 

Episode 22 takes us through more turmoil and directly up to the Reign of Terror. Listen and learn how the sans-culottes pressured the National Convention with force to expel the Girondins out of the Convention itself. Then learn how Terror became "the order of the day".

The National Convention takes control of the new French Republic and is tasked with steering revolutionary France through its economic, political, and wartime struggles. Four more nations pit themselves against France and the Convention decides the fate of Louis XVI after a month-long trial. Learn the story of Louis' last days before the guillotine.

France continues a downward spiral into 1792 under the leadership of the Legislative Assembly. War with Austria and other northern kingdoms is provoked and an insurrection occurs during the summer of '92. Will the Constitution of 1791 survive? Will the monarchy survive? Find out in Ep. 20 of the Everything History Podcast.

Joining Everything History is Professor Ralph Mathisen, who specializes in everything Roman. We talk about his path to higher education, what it meant to be a Roman, barbarization, and what exactly happened during the often misunderstood years of the Late Roman Empire. 

This episode continues the tale of the French Revolution right after the Royal Family's disgraceful return to Paris. Political clubs begin drafting petitions and instigating violence, and the National Guard and the National Constituent Assembly comes down hard on extreme activists in July and August. Afterwards the Jacobin Club fractures, elections are held for the Legislative Assembly, and the Constitution of 1791 is completed. By early December though the newly inaugurated Legislative Assembly is on the brink of war with Austria.  

Prof. Hertzman joins us, he is the acting Director of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Illinois' Department of History and a lecturer in Latin American and Brazilian History. We discuss his path to higher education, Brazilian samba, the African Diaspora, slavery and gender in relation to modern Brazilian history, and how race has manifested itself in Brazil. 

This episode takes us into the summer of 1791. The Jacobin Club is fracturing and a revolt breaks out in the colony of Haiti. Maximilien Robespierre is gaining prominence and, of course, the story of the Flight to Varennes is fully explained. Listen to invigorating primary sources from the people of history themselves and learn why King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette wanted to escape at all. What did they hope to gain? What did they have to lose? 

Joining us is Professor Morrissey, a lecturer on Early American and Environmental History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We discuss historical research, what interested him in history and his specific discipline(s), and engage in a broad conversation about the American Revolution/War of Independence. 

In this episode we delve into the year 1791. The political clubs are getting stronger and adapting rapidly to French politics. This, coupled with various other factors, leads to a rapid rise of radical political ideologies in France. Many French politicians and leaders, like Mirabeau and Lafayette, attempt to slow the rise of radicalism but it becomes near impossible when Mirabeau dies in April. The people then begin turning against the King and Queen and the new nation is on the precipice of another revolution.

In this episode the National Assembly conducts a patriotic celebration on July 14, 1790, nobility is abolished, and the political clubs are explained. These clubs include the Jacobins, the Society of 1789, and the Society of the Friends of Rights of Man.

In this episode the National Constituent Assembly continues building a new French constitution. Mirabeau and Talleyrand propose measures to nationalize the Church and this sets off a religious struggle between the Roman Church and the National Assembly. The Assembly also begins issuing paper currency and reforming local government. Election days are also set for July 1790 and the Assembly announces who exactly will receive the vote.

This episode takes a look at the developing government of France under the combined leadership of the National Constituent Assembly and the King. A French Declaration of Rights are constructed, but when the King attempts to block certain parts of the Assembly's legislation everything goes off the rails in October...ushering in the October Days.

Episode eleven picks up on July 13th with the Revolution underway in Paris and Versailles. The Citizen Patriots attack the Bastille in a tremendous, symbolic statement and after their victory the French Patriots devolve into violence and anarchy. King Louis XVI submits to the authority of the National Assembly and this ushers in a period of anarchy known as the Great Fear.

This episode takes Everything History into the heart of the French Revolution. King Louis XVI makes a series of mistakes and the people of Paris, Versailles, and the countryside begin to arm themselves. There are waves of desertions from the soldiers of the French Guard. 48,000 Citizen Patriots are armed and dangerous and the King has called 20,000 soldiers to reassert "order." Listen to learn the full story!