Podcast
The History of the Twentieth Century
Hosted by Mark Painter · EN
A chronicle of the history of the twentieth century, including art, music, popular culture, science, religion, and, of course, politics and war.
35episodes
Episodes
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453 The Panacea Target
2w ago00:39:38Tap to summarizeThe British view on aerial bombing over Germany held that area attacks on German cities were the only effective form of attack. The Americans preferred to target specific sites crucial to the German war effort, an approach the head of RAF Bomber Command dismisses as "panacea targets."
Transcribe →452 The Double V
4w ago00:48:22Tap to summarizeThe Second World War offered African Americans new opportunities and new political clout.
Transcribe →451 Wonder Weapon
Jul 1200:44:42Tap to summarizeThe United States had its Manhattan Project. Germany had its rockets.
Transcribe →450 The Gadget
Jul 500:41:02Tap to summarizeBy 1944, the United States had developed the facilities to produce U-235 and plutonium in sufficient quantities. The last problem was how to design and build a bomb that would detonate an atomic explosion when you wanted it, but not before.
Transcribe →449 All For the Front
Jun 2100:45:23Tap to summarizeThe war made life in the Soviet Union very difficult. Even by Soviet standards, the government took an unprecedented degree of control over the allocation of labor and of food. Despite food shortages, there was no mass opposition as there had been in 1917.
Transcribe →448 Keep Calm and Carry On
Jun 1400:41:04Tap to summarizeThe British had to deal with many more shortages of food and fuel and consumer goods than did Americans. And they had to worry about the Luftwaffe.
Transcribe →447 Don't You Know There's a War On?
Jun 700:39:37Tap to summarizeThe war put Americans in the unfamiliar position of enduring limits on what they could buy or eat, even how much they could drive their cars.
Transcribe →446 Is Paris Burning?
May 2400:48:46Tap to summarizeThe Allies invade southern France, close the Falaise pocket, and the German line collapses. Soon the Allies are advancing on Paris.
Transcribe →445 Breakout and Pursuit
May 1700:42:57Tap to summarizeWhen Patton's Third Army broke through the front line, the Germans had a serious problem.
Transcribe →444 Tempest
May 1000:42:45Tap to summarizeThe Polish Home Army makes a last-ditch effort to assert the authority of the government in exile, while Romania successfully switches sides.
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