Best Carl Rylett Podcasts (2024)

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75.1 Interview with Stuart E Eizenstat 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney. Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy Carter’s Chief Domestic Policy Adviser. Later he went on to become President Bill Clinton's Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. And he serv…

1
74.19 Treaty of Versailles 20:32

9M ago20:32

20:32

The Paris Peace consisted of a group of distinct treaties, but the main concern of the delegates was the settlement with Germany, embodied in the Treaty of Versailles signed in June 1919. Germany’s eastern frontiers presented far greater problems. www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music composed by Edward Elgar, Enigma variations,…

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74.18 Endgame, 1918 21:32

10M ago21:32

21:32

In Spring 1918 a massive German offensive made significant territorial gains, but ultimately not the intended breakthrough, and the Allied forces stood firm. Exhausted and demoralised at the scale of casualties, the Germans were pushed back in a major counter-attack in the late Summer and Autumn. And on 26 September, the Allies launched a general o…

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74.17 The Final Gamble, 1918 20:40

11M ago20:40

20:40

After the Russian withdrawal from the frontlines following the October revolution, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk is negotiated between Germany and Russia. The Germans sought to conclude war on the Eastern Front as quickly as possible, while at the same time trying to establish an informal empire in east-central Europe, one composed of newly independe…

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74.16 War of Attrition on the Western Front 1917 24:00

12M ago24:00

24:00

While the nations of Europe fought each other to a bitter stalemate, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, urged both sides to make peace. However, no agreement is made and the United States joined the war on the side of the Entente allies. In the meantime, the Germans ordered a general withdrawal at the western front, abandoning the …

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74.15 The Russian Revolution 1917 21:55

1y ago21:55

21:55

As the year 1917 dawned, Europe had been at war for two and a half years, and pressures on the home fronts were becoming intolerable. Every participant nation came under huge strain. In Russia the Tsarist regime falls in March, but the interim government is unstable and itself falls in the famous October Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, who promi…

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74.14 Battles of Verdun and The Somme 1916 26:39

1y ago26:39

26:39

Europe entered the year 1916 exhausted by one and a half years of conflict of a scale hitherto unimaginable, with profound effects on citizens at home, as well as those on the front line. The most intensive battles on the western front in 1916 are at Verdun and the Somme, with extraordinary numbers of casualties. Meanwhile, on the eastern front the…

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74.13 Eastern and Western Fronts 1915 21:49

1y ago21:49

21:49

For the Germans, 1915 was a year that should not have been. Their whole strategy had been based on a quick war, but they now found themselves embroiled in a two-front war – on the eastern front against Russia, and on the western front against France fully mobilised and also Britain. Throughout 1915, in a succession of attacks of increasing intensit…

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74.12 Turkey and Italy Enter the War, 1915 20:06

1y ago20:06

20:06

The first months of fighting in the First World War had seen no major breakthrough from any side. The Germans had captured about ten percent of France, and reached within sixty miles of Paris, but then reached a stalemate as both sides fortified their positions with great long lines of trenches running from Belgium to the Swiss border. Both sides a…

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74.11 The Eastern Front 1914 25:50

1y ago25:50

25:50

The Russians strike hard against their most powerful enemy, Germany. Austro-Hungary help their German ally although their military forces are under-resourced, in large part because through the years the Hungarian parliament had restricted military finding by using it as a bargaining chip for political concessions. While the Austrians attack Serbia,…

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74.10 The Western Front 1914 17:42

1y ago17:42

17:42

The first main clash of the First World War was on the borders of France and Germany and in Belgium. The Belgians put up more resistance than the Germans expect. However, the Battle of the Frontiers, on the Franco-German border, from 7 August to 6 September 1914 was a disaster for the French army, who suffered very heavy casualties. Meanwhile, the …

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74.9 Europe Goes to War 1914 19:20

1y ago19:20

19:20

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. A month later Austria retaliates by declaring war on Serbia, which in turn brings Russia and the other great powers of Europe into conflict. As Edward Grey memorably expressed it: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again on our lifetime”. ww…

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74.8 Countdown to Catastrophe (First World War) 26:18

1y ago26:18

26:18

Why did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand trigger the First World War? I also describe how the long struggle between European powers for mastery in central Africa reaches its climax. www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Picture - The Nine Sovereigns at Windsor for the funeral of King Edward VII Music composed by Frederic …

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74.7 The Balkan Wars 1912-13 28:21

1+ y ago28:21

28:21

An analogy often given to the Balkans leading up to the First World War is a tinderbox, awaiting a flame to ignite it and set off a major conflagration across Europe. In fact, the region suffered a large-scale conflict already two years before the First World War began. Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro had all acquired their independence fro…

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74.6 Italian Invasion of Libya 1911-12 20:12

1+ y ago20:12

20:12

The Italian invasion of Libya 1911. After initial successes, the Italians face strong resistance against the Ottomans and Libyans www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music composed by Edward Elgar (The Crown of India, March of the Mogul Emperors) Picture - Italian landing at Tripoli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…

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74.5 Battle of Adowa 1896, Italian Invasion of Ethiopia 18:34

1+ y ago18:34

18:34

Following their countries independence in the mid 19th century, the Italians hoped to establish their status among the Great European Powers by acquiring colonial possessions. Their first main attempt was an unsuccessful invasion of Ethiopia, with a defeat at the Battle of Adowa in 1896 www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music comp…

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74.4 The Annexation of Bosnia 1908 23:34

1+ y ago23:34

23:34

In the first years of the 20th century the Austrian Empire faced numerous problems, most of all the rising sense of nationalism among its various peoples. Attempting a more assertive foreign policy, the Austrians set about a plan to formally annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, which since 1878 had been administered by Vienna but still remained under nomi…

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74.3 The Red Sultan and the Young Turks Revolution 23:46

1+ y ago23:46

23:46

The Ottoman Empire is in disarray and its treasury bankrupt. Under Sultan Abdul Hamid, the Red Sultan, there are violent suppression of uprisings of the Armenians in Anatolia. And in the Balkans the Macedonians and Albanians appeal for independence. A rebellion in Macedonia leads to the The Young Turk revolution and the overthrow of the sultan. www…

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74.2 The Russo-Japanese War and Revolution of 1905 24:25

1+ y ago24:25

24:25

Tsar Alexander II of Russia is assassinated in March 1881. He was probably the most liberal of all tsars of Russia, but succeeded by reactionary leaders Alexander III and then Nicholas II. Nicholas unwisely provokes Japan into a war, and is defeated, which is a catalyst for an attempted revolution in Russia in 1905 www.patreon.com/historyeurope www…

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74.1 First World War - Introduction, and Treaty Of Berlin 1878 20:36

1+ y ago20:36

20:36

A summary of the main events from the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 to the beginning of the First World War in 1914 At the end of the nineteenth century the Balkans had multiple crises. The Treaty of Berlin 1878 was an attempt by the Great Powers of Europe to find a framework for stability in a region with various competing interests, many of …

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73.3 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 22:29

1+ y ago22:29

22:29

In April 1877, two Russian armies invaded the Ottoman empire. The focus of the war became the siege of Plevna in Bulgaria. The strong resistance there gave the Turks real hope for a final victory, or at least holding off the enemy and forcing a more favourable diplomatic solution. www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music composed b…

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73.2 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 15:06

1+ y ago15:06

15:06

In April 1876 news spread across Europe of appalling atrocities being committed in Bulgaria, by Turks against local uprisings. These occurred soon after similar events elsewhere in the Balkans region – in Bosnia and Serbia. The strongest reaction came from Russia where widespread sympathy for their fellow Slavs led to a nationwide surge in patrioti…

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73.1 Russo-Turkish War 1877-78 - Background 23:52

1+ y ago23:52

23:52

In 1875, the Balkans entered a period of turmoil as various nationalities (Serbians, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Albanians and Romanians) struggled for independence from the Ottoman Turks. Uprisings quickly spread across the region and resulted in a major war between the Ottomans and Russians from 1877 to 1878. Meanwhile, Constantinople was suffering …

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72.1 Philippa Gregory Interview 18:09

1+ y ago18:09

18:09

Philippa has written novels set in several different historical periods, especially the Tudor period. We discussed the period around the Glorious Revolution 1688 when the Prince of Orange invaded England from Holland and replaced James II as king, and the Battle of Sedgemoor 1685 three years before. Some of Philippa's novels have won awards and hav…

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71.2 Franco-Prussian War 1870-71 27:16

1+ y ago27:16

27:16

For centuries, Europe’s German centre had been politically fragmented and weak. The continent had been dominated by states on the periphery, whose interest was to maintain the power vacuum at the centre. Now, however, for the first time, the Germans were united under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck and launched a major invasion into France, whi…

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71.1 Franco-Prussian War 1870-71 - Background 23:12

1+ y ago23:12

23:12

Following Prussia's victory at Königgrätz in 1866, the North German Confederation became an instrument for Prussian dominance. All northern German states not directly annexed by Prussia were put in the new Confederation in which Berlin assumed control of their foreign and military affairs, and most of their internal ones as well. A solid block of P…

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70.2 Battle of Königgrätz 1866 33:09

2y ago33:09

33:09

The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was brief, yet its consequences were profound. It was the culminating event in a rivalry that began with the rise of the house of Brandenburg-Prussia, most notably Frederick the Great’s unprovoked attack upon the Habsburg province of Silesia in 1740. From that time Austria and Prussia were involved in a long struggle…

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70.1 Battle of Königgrätz 1866 - Background 20:57

2y ago20:57

20:57

Any list of decisive battles of European history would be incomplete without a battle which occurred on 3 July 1866 near the town of Königgrätz, in the north of the today’s Czech Republic. The victorious allies of the Schleswig War of 1864, the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, soon after fall out with each other and go to war. Austria fa…

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69.2 Schleswig War of 1864 23:27

2y ago23:27

23:27

When in November 1863 King Frederick VII of Denmark died, a dispute arose over who had a legitimate claim to rule over the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Otto von Bismarck saw this as a great opportunity to increase Prussian power in the region and decided, together with the Austrians, to invade Denmark. The key battle in the war was the siege …

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69.1 Schleswig War of 1864 - Background 23:03

2y ago23:03

23:03

A border dispute between the German Confederation and the Kingdom of Denmark in the regions of Schleswig and Holstein breaks out into an inconclusive war in 1848-1850, and tensions remain into the 1860's. Meanwhile, a common culture was developing across the German population of Europe, with the literary works of Goethe and Schiller, and philosophe…

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68.2 War of Italian Unification 33:53

2y ago33:53

33:53

Napoleon III of France and Cavour, chief minister of Piedmont come to an agreement to try to remove Austrian influence from the Italian peninsula, and provoke Vienna into war. One of the largest battles was at Solferino where there were three monarchs - Franz Joseph of Austria, Victor Emanuel of Piedmont and Napoleon III. The ensuing conflict laste…

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68.1 War of Italian Unification - Background 24:43

2y ago24:43

24:43

The Napoleonic Wars had a dramatic impact on Italy, completing redrawing boundaries. Even though the French were defeated, many of their political reforms were to be both profound and long-lasting. And the temporary unification of parts of the peninsula encouraged Italians to be aware of a common nationality. Yet only decades afterwards would there…

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67.4 Crimean War - Siege of Sevastopol 27:45

2y ago27:45

27:45

An allied army of British, French and Italians besiege the Crimean port of Sevastopol in late 1854. Fighting also took place in the Baltic Sea and in the Far East, and in the Caucasus mountains at the siege of the fortress of Kars. The main event at Sevastopol was particularly protracted and bloody as the allies attempted to break through into the …

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67.3 Crimean War - Russia invades Moldavia and Wallachia 23:08

2y ago23:08

23:08

The Russians invade Moldavia and Wallachia (in modern day Romania) and destroy the Ottoman Black Sea fleet at Sinop. Under public pressure, the French and British governments, concerned about growing Russian power, decide to send in troops to force the invaders to retreat. Seeking to neutralise the Russian threat in the Black Sea and Mediterranean,…

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67.2 Crimean War 1853 - Beginning 25:05

2y ago25:05

25:05

The Ottoman Sultans attempt to reform their army and state, under pressure from outside powers, most notably Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, who lays claim to protecting Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean War begins when Russia invades the Orthodox territories of Moldavia and Wallachia in modern day Romania. www.patreon.com/histo…

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67.1 Crimean War 1853 - Background 25:27

2y ago25:27

25:27

The powers of Europe, especially Britain and France are concerned by the decline of the Ottoman Empire and growing power and ambition of Russia. This episode focuses on the problems of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, who descendants once ruled a mighty empire that threatened Christendom, but in the 1800's was struggling under the pressures of moderni…

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66.4 Revolution of 1848 - Conclusion 25:55

2y ago25:55

25:55

Revolutionary breaks out across Europe continent from France to Romania, Denmark to Italy. Slowly the authorities regained control but were unable to reverse all of the changes. Most governments, for example, kept some form of constitution, and liberals worked hard to defend what was left of their achievements. The events of 1848 gave millions of E…

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66.3 Revolutions of 1848 26:07

2y ago26:07

26:07

In the first months of 1848, a tidal wave of revolution shook the political establishment of Europe to its foundations Events began with an uprising in Sicily in January, and by the end of the year the entire continent had been affected to some degree, including the overthrow of leaders in France, Austria, Italy and Germany www.patreon.com/historye…

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66.2 French Revolution of July 1830, and Greek War of Independence 27:17

2y ago27:17

27:17

King Charles X of France is overthrown and replaced by his cousin Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans. Meanwhile a 10 month long insurrection in Poland is crushed by the Russians. In the retribution which followed, eighty-thousand Poles are dragged off in chains to Siberia. The year 1830 also witnessed the formal independence of Greece from the Ottoman…

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66.1 Congress of Vienna 1814, Post Napoleonic War Period 23:58

2+ y ago23:58

23:58

The Congress of Vienna 1814 at the end of the long Napoleonic Wars led to a period of relative peace on the continent of Europe. A network of institutions was established known as the ‘Concert of Europe’ where differences could be thrashed out before leading to war. After the French Revolution, the basis of sovereignty shifted from individuals and …

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65.3 Napoleon's Invasion of Russia 1812 27:50

2+ y ago27:50

27:50

The French army invades Russia. The Russians retreat deep into their own territory then confront the French at the inconclusive Battle of Borodino of September 1812. Napoleon leads his men into Moscow but is forced to abandon the city and return westwards in the middle of winter, resulting in devastating losses. The anti-French coalition regain the…

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65.2 Napoleon's Conquest of Central Europe, and the Peninsular War 27:19

2+ y ago27:19

27:19

The French invade Prussia and capture its capital Berlin, and then move into Poland and take Warsaw. Napoleon and Tsar Alexander then agreed the Treaties of Tilsit. The greatest resistance to French dominance comes from the Spanish, aided by the British under the command of the Duke of Wellington.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMu…

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65.1 Napoleonic Wars - Intro 22:35

2+ y ago22:35

22:35

Peace could potentially have lasted after the treaties of Lunéville and Amiens of 1801 and 1802 had the great powers accepted each others’ spheres of influence. However, the agreements turned out to be just a short truce. Napoleon’s continued annexations in Europe and apparent ambitions in the Mediterranean and Near East alarmed the British and Rus…

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64.6 Battles of the Nile 1798 and Marengo 1800 21:04

2+ y ago21:04

21:04

Napoleon leads the French into Egypt but is defeated at the Battle of the Nile by the British. Afterwards the Russians and Austrians push back against the French in Italy, but then suffer a reverse at the Battle of Marengo. Marengo turned out arguably to be the most important victory of Napoleon’s career. Had he lost the battle, he would have lost …

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64.5 French Revolutionary Wars - Napoleon's Conquest of Italy 27:35

2+ y ago27:35

27:35

The French invade Belgium in 1794 and the Netherlands in 1795. The coalition against them starts to fall apart as individual members came to terms. Russia, Prussia and Austria are distracted by their partitioning of Poland, which is wiped off the map. Next the French invade Austria and Italy, the Italian campaign led by a promising young commander …

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64.4 French Revolutionary Wars, Battle of Valmy 1792 and the Reign of Terror 20:39

2+ y ago20:39

20:39

A French military victory at Valmy in 1792 and the execution of Louis XVI in January 1793 focused the growing concern across Europe about the radical new regime in Paris. The true revolutionary nature of events in France was dawning on everyone, including the possibility of the export of the revolutionary principles. In France, there was further po…

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64.3 The French Revolution 1789 27:59

2+ y ago27:59

27:59

The French king from 1774, Louis XVI, was poorly equipped for the role of national leader at a difficult time. His tragedy was that he had good intentions and a strong sense of responsibility. But he was shy and awkward and lacked the required political skills and charisma. Decades of failure for the French in foreign and domestic affairs, resulted…

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64.2 Russo-Turkish War 1788 and the Reforms of Joseph II 31:02

2+ y ago31:02

31:02

The Origins of the French Revolutionary Wars can be dated to 17th August 1787, when in Constantinople the Ottomans arrested the Russian ambassador Count Bulgakov in the Topkapi palace, and declared war on St Petersburg. Catherine the Great had deliberately provoked the Turks and now dragged in the reluctant Austrians into the war. The Austrian Empe…

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64.1 French Revolutionary Wars - Intro 21:04

2+ y ago21:04

21:04

In the last years of the 19th century the continent of Europe was turned on its head. France erupted into revolution in the middle of what was already a volatile situation, with various tensions between the Great Powers (Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria, Ottomans as well as France). The storming of the Bastille is an iconic moment, not just …