Détente had come to an end. With the paranoid former KGB head Yuri Andropov assuming the Premiership and the election of the staunchly anti-communist Ronald Reagan, things were heating up in the Cold War.     As the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan reached its peak and Reagan’s rhetoric became more and more aggressive, things had reached a fever pitch. The accidental downing of Korean Airlines 007 by the Soviets brought the two Superpowers to the point of no return.    Stanislav Petrov,...

The official story is that Brazil was discovered by Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese sailor who while far out at sea on a voyage to India around the African continent spotted some seaweed and found what he believed to be a large island sitting in the Atlantic. However the French nobility claim to have discovered it 4 years earlier.  This episode explores the early years of Brazil, its founding, use of Degredadoes, and Cabral's failed voyage to India. Support the show

The show has returned, Sorry for the long hiatus. This new series will focus on Brazil.    Former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has defeated Brazilian Incumbent president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, leading to the first time in that country's history that an incumbent president has lost the next election.     Bolsonaro was controversial to say the least, called by some journalists the Brazilian Trump, this title does not give credit to...

This episode explores the history of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, explaining the commonalities and differences in language, history, and culture. The second half of the show explains the modern history of Ukraine and Russia's attempt to absorb them into the Russian and Soviet Empires. The final chapter explains the Ukrainian invasion from the Russian perspective. Support the show

Oldie but goldie! Sorry for the lack of shows lately my lovely fans, I am still alive. This is one of my favorite episodes from the podcast covering a range of things I find nostalgic. The Japanese Beethoven    I am working on an episode about the Brazilian election which I hope to get out soon. Support the show

Oda Nobunaga, fresh from his victories in the east was ready for the final battle that would determine the fate of Japan. All that remained in his way was the Mori clan, beaten and battered, located around the western tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest Island. Nobunaga summoned his forces to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had conquered deep into Mori territory, this army would consist of his son and heir Oda Nobutada, one of his oldest and most trusted generals Akechi Mitsuhide and Oda Nobunaga...

Oda Nobunaga was nearing his dream, of a unified Japan under his rule, all that remained were the wavering Ikko-Ikki and Mori clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide, two of Nobunaga's most trusted generals, began a final campaign against the Mori. Hideyoshi was successful however Mitsuhide struggled leading to resentment. Once again thanks to Nobunaga's meritocratic mindset and innovative tactics both the Ikko-Ikki and Mori began to fall. In the East The sons of the Tiger and Dragon...

The samurai were the result of centuries of corruption from the oldest clan in Japan, the Fujiwara. The Fujiwara held complete control of the government of ancient Japan, even at one-point controlling the emperor. Through this power abuse rose the Taira and Minamoto who eventually took over and then fought a civil war between themselves with the Minamoto coming out on top.  A Daimyo could not become Shogun unless he had lineage dating back to the Minamoto clan, The Oda did not have this. One...

The story continues after the inconclusive battles of the Kawanakajima plains. The Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen returned to the Tokugawa lands, but his untimely death would lead his son Takeda Katsuyori to become leader of the Takeda clan, Katsuyori was not his father and he would lead the Takeda clan into almost complete insignificance. The Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin would have more success in extending his realm, even defeating Oda Nobunaga decisively, however his untimely death would...

The age of the samurai was full of great men and great stories to go along with them. None are more iconic than the tale of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo. Although Sengoku Jidai is best remembered through the eyes of the three great unifiers, there were stories of bravery, cunning and deceit all throughout the land.    This is the story of the Tiger and the Dragon, and their battle for domination of Eastern Japan.    Topics Covered  The Takeda...

The Oda clan was at war on all fronts, if not for the disloyalty the other Daimyo had towards one another, the Oda would have certainly fallen. There was also disloyalty among the family of Nobunaga which was a constant thorn in his side. With Kyoto in his grasp and the Ikko-Ikki peasants revolt sparking up all over the country the enemy now lies within. Just as the Oda begin to make some ground they are once again betrayed and attacked by the great Takeda Clan of the East. With Nobunaga's...

Oda Nobunaga was one of the most powerful lords and contender to be the new Shogun after his heroic victory at Okehazama, however he still had one problem to deal with, Saito clan in Mino province. Mino lay between the Oda homeland of Owari and Kyoto, seat of the Shogun and to take Kyoto he would have to take Mino first. The Saito clan was originally friendly to Nobunaga, the lord was Nobunaga's father-in-law and was even considering giving his home seat to Nobunaga on his death. However,...

Japan was once in a state of constant warfare and chaos, known as the Sengoku Jidai. This was the time of the Samurai, who ruled the land and fought each other for power in service of the emperor. Three great men would rise above all others and create the Japan we know today.  Our story begins with a young noble named Nobunaga of the Oda clan, a clan and boy that were not expected for great things. Due to his sheer force of personality and brutality Oda Nobunaga would go on to become the...

Shinzo Abe the longest serving Japanese PM and legend in Japanese politics was assassinated this week. The assassin did this because of Abe's alleged links to a bizarre cult based in South Korea, whose followers are called "Moonies" of which the assassin’s mother was a member. This covers the sad demise of Shinzo Abe, the assassin’s story, Japan's culture, and a look at what Abe has done in his long and fruitful career. TOPICS COVERED The Assassination of Shinzo Abe The Motives Behind the...

Japan entered the 1960s on a bad note. The ANPO protests, the resignation of Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and finally the assassination of Inejiro Asanuma. However Japan would make a complete turn around by the mid 60s becoming one of the most successful nations in the world. This episode covers the legacy of Nobusuke Kishi and Japan's transformation into the Japan we know today. Topics covered Assassination of Inejiro Asanuma Suicide of Otoya Yamaguchi Hayato Ikeda Rises to the Call Japan...

With the American occupation ending, Japan in the 1950s seemed to have a bright future ahead. This however was not the case, for virtually the entire decade of 1950 Japan went from protest to protest which brought chaos and instability to the land. Nobusuke Kishi having garnered mass power and political connections would eventually assume the premiership, can this former war criminal, with his brutal methods, bring stability to Japan? Topics Covered Bloody May Day Sunagawa...

Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the Soviet invasion of Manchukuo, Japan formally accepted the unconditional surrender terms imposed on her by the Allies. As general Douglas MacArthur landed on Japanese soil he immediately called for the arrest of suspected war criminals Hideki Tojo and Nobusuke Kishi, the Tokyo Trial then ensued.    After years of war Japanese cities were decimated by incendiary and the atomic bombings while the Japanese populace was on the...

Shinzo Abe is Japan's longest serving prime minister. Abe comes from a long dynasty of politicians including those who served The Empire of Japan in World War II. Japan unlike Germany was able to avoid most of the punishment dulled out after WWII.    Nobusuke Kishi is Abe's maternal grandfather who would become Prime Minister and go on to shape post war Japan. Kishi was mentored by Hideki Tojo and was a war criminal, who ruled over Manchukuo or the Japanese puppet state in China. His nickname...

From Putin's Russia to fundamentalist Iran, appeasement is a word often used disparagingly in the media to describe an unconfrontational, cowardly way of avoiding international bullies. Appeasement became famous before World War II when the Western allies Britian and France did everything possible to avoid a second great war with Nazi Germany. This is the story of Arthur Neville Chamberlain and his attempt to bring peace at any cost. Topics Covered The Great War Arthur Neville...

This episode explores the history of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, explaining the commonalities and differences in language, history, and culture. The second half of the show explains the modern history of Ukraine and Russia's attempt to absorb them into the Russian and Soviet Empires. The final chapter explains the Ukrainian invasion from the Russian perspective. Topics Covered History of The Russian and Ukrainian peoples Russian and Ukrainian languages  A Shared History? History of...

On February 24th Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking off the largest war Europe has seen since World War II. This invasion has sparked massive protests all over the world, and has seen the tanking of the Russian economy. This episode explains what has been going on for the first 5 days of this war. Topics Covered The Ghost of Kiev and other heroes Volodymyr Zelensky The Battles of Kyiv and Karhkiv Russian Nuclear Threats Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/abriefhistory?fan_landing=true)

Kazakhstan entered the New Year with a series of riots, the largest in the country's history. The riots were sparked by a hike in gas prices. More importanlty however they stem from the leadership of probably the most famous Kazakh man, Borat. Just kidding Nursultan Nazarbayev.  This episode covers the history of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh people, as well as the life of Nursultan Nazarbayev and what led to the Kazakh riots. I finally learned how to spell Kazakhstan. Support the show...

Jimmy Carter entered the presidency as a breath of fresh air, he walked the streets to the White House. His approval rating skyrocketed in the early days of his presidency however it wouldn't last long. This episode covers the presidency and post presidency of Jimmy Carter. Topics Covered Torrijos-Carter Treaties Iranian Revolution SALT II Soviet-Afghan Invasion Operation Desert Claw Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/abriefhistory?fan_landing=true)

Jimmy Carter is perhaps the most misunderstood president of the modern era. Carter who is just a few IQ points shy of being considered a genius is one of our smartest presidents yet his presidency was viewed as a failure by most. This episode covers the early years of Jimmy Carter. Part I Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/abriefhistory?fan_landing=true)