History

Video documentaries about history of the world

Cold War episode 20 - Freeze 1977-1981

Cold War episode 20 – Freeze 1977-1981

History / 8 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 20 – Freeze 1977-1981: In 1976, Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev promised to reduce East-West tensions. But within four years those promises turned to anger and mistrust. The Cold War was far from over. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan ends detente. Promising tougher measures against Moscow; Reagan defeats Carter for the presidency. In Poland, martial law is imposed. Carter’s ambitious proposals for total multilateral nuclear disarmament are rejected by Brezhnev; his championing of human rights does not win favour either. The Helsinki Accords encourage writers to establish Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia.     The visit of Pope […]

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Cold War episode 19 - Backyard 1954-1990

Cold War episode 19 – Backyard 1954-1990

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 19 – Backyard 1954-1990: The United States has always regarded Latin America as its own backyard. Fearing the spread of communism, it seeks to destabilize leftist governments. In 1973, the CIA helps overthrow the Chilean president Salvador Allende; in the 1980’s it support right wing extremists in Nicaragua and El Salvador. The United States saw the emergence of leftist movements in different Latin American countries as threatening to its commercial interests, and secretly plotted with military strongmen and middle class interests concerned with the land reforms and nationalisation policies of new governments.       In Guatemala

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Digging for Britain episode 2 2023

Digging for Britain episode 2 2023

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Digging for Britain episode 2 2023: In this captivating episode, Professor Alice Roberts embarks on a journey to explore more archaeological sites scattered throughout the country, delving into the mysteries and discoveries that continue to illuminate British history from prehistoric times to the Roman, Saxon, and Tudor eras. On her latest adventure, she ventures to a breathtaking ancient monument that predates Stonehenge, a perfectly preserved 200-year-old mine, and the remains of a once-lost medieval friary.     Venturing westward this week, an array of diverse and intriguing archaeological sites awaits Professor Alice Roberts, accompanied by the enchanting musical score provided

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Cold War episode 18 - Good Guys, Bad Guys 1967-1978

Cold War episode 18 – Good Guys, Bad Guys 1967-1978

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 18 – Good Guys, Bad Guys 1967-1978: The Cold War was not only a confrontation between two superpowers, but also a series of proxy conflicts that involved their allies and surrogates in different regions of the world. One of the main arenas of this surrogate warfare was the Middle East, where the United States and the Soviet Union competed for influence and resources. In 1967 and 1973, Israel, backed by the United States, defeated Egypt and Syria, supported by the Soviet Union, in the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War.     These wars reshaped

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Digging for Britain episode 1 2023

Digging for Britain episode 1 2023

History / 5 minutes of reading / / By

Digging for Britain episode 1 2023: In this exciting new series, renowned archaeologist Professor Alice Roberts embarks on a journey to explore even more archaeological sites scattered throughout the nation. With recent excavations in southern England shedding light on a previously undiscovered Roman town, a hidden Tudor ship submerged beneath a quarry, and evidence pointing to Henry VIII’s financial forgery located beneath the historic Tower of London, there is an abundance of new knowledge to be uncovered.     One might assume that we already have a comprehensive understanding of the Roman occupation of Britain. However, the beauty of archaeology

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Cold War episode 17 - Detente 1969-1975

Cold War episode 17 – Detente 1969-1975

History / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 17 – Detente 1969-1975: In the early 1970s, North Vietnam launched a new offensive against the South, prompting the United States to intensify its bombing campaign in an effort to bring an end to the conflict. At the same time, the U.S. government, under President Richard Nixon, sought to establish peace through diplomatic means, building closer relations with both China and the USSR. As part of this strategy, Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) in 1972, marking a significant step toward détente between the two superpowers. Meanwhile, West German Chancellor

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Hidden Treasures of the National Trust episode 1

Hidden Treasures of the National Trust episode 1

Art, History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Hidden Treasures of the National Trust episode 1: A painting’s hidden story is revealed, a beautiful Chinese bridge is painstakingly rebuilt, and a 450-year-old table must be saved from collapse and made ready to go on tour. In the first episode of “Hidden Treasures of the National Trust,” viewers are taken on an extraordinary journey to uncover the hidden stories of some of the most precious and historically significant artifacts. This captivating series brings to light the amazing work that goes into preserving and protecting the National Trust’s treasures.     In this episode, the intriguing tale behind a painting

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Cold War episode 16 - China 1949-1972

Cold War episode 16 – China 1949-1972

History / 7 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 16 – China 1949-1972 – Chinese communists win the longest civil war in 20th century history.  In the annals of 20th-century history, the Chinese Communist Party emerged victorious in the longest and most protracted civil war, profoundly shaping the nation’s future. Mao Zedong’s initial land reforms were met with widespread approval, but in 1958, he embarked on a sequence of disastrous policies that led to immense upheaval and catastrophe. As China’s relationship with the Soviet Union grew increasingly tense, the Sino-Soviet split in 1960 would ultimately pave the way for President Nixon’s groundbreaking visit to Beijing.  

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Cold War episode 15 - Red Spring: The Sixties

Cold War episode 15 – Red Spring: The Sixties

History / 5 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 15 – Red Spring: The Sixties – In the Soviet bloc, communist rule stifles ambition and achievement. Soviet defense expenditure cripples economic growth. In the Soviet bloc, the grip of communist rule has long been a suppressive force, stifling ambition and achievement among its citizens. The immense burden of Soviet defense expenditure continues to hinder economic growth, creating an environment that breeds disillusionment. The younger generations, captivated by the alluring symbols of America’s youth culture, yearn for the freedom represented by blue jeans and rock ‘n roll. Within this context, Czechoslovakia witnesses a glimmer of hope under

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Cold War episode 14 - Make Love, not War: The Sixties

Cold War episode 14 – Make Love, not War: The Sixties

History / 5 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 14 – Make Love, not War: The Sixties – As the Western economies experienced growth and prosperity during the mid-20th century, a significant portion of this success was fueled by the production of armaments. This era saw young people rejecting the affluence of their parents’ generation and the political tensions of the Cold War. Many among the youth chose to protest and rebel, resulting in a surge of countercultural movements. In the United States, inner cities were plagued by racial violence, while rock music emerged as the voice of a disenchanted generation.     Entering the 1960s

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Age of Steam episode 6

Age of Steam episode 6

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Age of Steam episode 6: Fred delves into the significant progress made in the field of steam power technology, with particular focus on the groundbreaking invention of the steam turbine. He examines the persistent utilisation of this remarkable innovation in contemporary times, where it continues to play a crucial role in electricity generation across various types of power plants, including coal-fired and nuclear power stations.     Furthermore, Fred highlights the importance of preserving our steam heritage and sheds light on the efforts being made by dedicated museums and steam preservation societies to safeguard this vital aspect of our industrial

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Age of Steam episode 5

Age of Steam episode 5

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Age of Steam episode 5: A look at how steam power revolutionised shipping, from the earliest paddle steamers with screw propellers to more modern vessels like the Royal Yacht Britannia. Britain’s most beloved steeplejack and fervent industrial enthusiast, the late Fred Dibnah, transports us to the captivating era of the 18th century, when the ground-breaking invention of the steam engine served as a catalyst for the advancement and proliferation of machinery across a wide spectrum of industries. With his inimitable zeal, he illustrates how the steam engine furnished the first feasible method for harnessing power derived from heat, supplementing and

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