Explaining History

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we dive into the story of the Dulles brothers and their impact on the Eisenhower administration in 1954. We explore the backgrounds of John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles, their rise to power, and the key events of their tenure as Secretary of State and Director of the CIA, respectively. We discuss their role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War, including their involvement in the 1954 coup in Guatemala, and the Suez Crisis. We also examine the relationship between the Dulles brothers and President Eisenhower, and the influence they had on his administration.Key Takeaways:The Dulles brothers, John Foster and Allen, played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War.As Secretary of State and Director of the CIA, respectively, the brothers were involved in key events such as the 1954 coup in Guatemala and the Suez Crisis.The relationship between the Dulles brothers and President Eisenhower was complex, with the brothers often exerting significant influence on his administration.Discussion Questions:How did the Dulles brothers' backgrounds and experiences shape their approach to foreign policy?What were the major events of their tenure, and how did they impact US foreign policy?How did the Dulles brothers' influence on the Eisenhower administration compare to that of other advisors?Links and Further Reading:The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War by Stephen Kinzer"The Dulles Brothers and the Eisenhower Administration" by Peter Grose in Diplomatic History"The Dulles Brothers and the Cold War" by David Tal in International History ReviewMusic credit: "RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode of the Explaining History podcast, we explore the concept of American empire and its role in the framework of modern capitalism, exploring the Making of Modern Capitalism by Leo Panitch and Sam Gindin. The book discusses key points such as the role of the state in modern capitalism, the global power dynamics at play, and the ways in which American empire has shaped the current economic system. News UpdateAre you a student of history looking for extra support and resources? Look no further! We are thrilled to announce that our website, www.explaininghistory.org, now has A level Russian History resources available. Keep an eye out for more subjects being added in the near future.

During the 1930s, the Soviet Union, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, experienced a wave of repression and terror that came to be known as the Great Terror. This period saw the widespread use of secret police, forced labor camps, and executions to suppress perceived threats to the regime.We'll be examining the causes and consequences of the Great Terror, and exploring how it impacted Soviet society and the lives of ordinary people.

A popular view of the war at sea is that of Britain pushed right to the edge, mounting shipping losses leading to fears of starvation in Britain and possible capitulation. Military historian Max Hastings suggests otherwise, pointing to the shortcomings and failings of Germany's U-Boat fleet and the growing expertise and technological superiority of the allied navies.

Why did the patchwork Habsburg empire collapse in 1918? The pressures of war and the competing identities and loyalties of the men that fought in the Austo Hungarian armies both have a significant part to play. This podcast explores the overlapping national, regional and ethnic identities, loyalties and ambitions.

When Leon Trotsky was murdered by NKVD agent Ramon Mercader in 1940, his ideas lived on. The Trotskyist Fourth International and the American Socialist Workers Party in particular claimed (though this was disputed by his widow Natalia) to be the inheritors of his beliefs. Trotsky's critique of the USSR and its capitalist enemies stated that the Russian Revolution had effectively been killed in its infancy, and that instead a bureacratic state had replaced a revolutionary society. Some of Trotsky's former disciples eventually distanced themselves from his beliefs, embracing American conservatism and free market capitalism, most famously the recanting revolutionary James Burnham.