History

Video documentaries about history of the world

Cold War episode 12 - MAD 1960-1972

Cold War episode 12 – MAD 1960-1972

History / 9 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 12 – MAD 1960-1972 – Throughout the 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union find themselves embroiled in a perilous nuclear standoff, both keenly aware that attacking the other could incite retaliation and result in self-destruction. This precarious balance leads to the evolution of nuclear strategy, known as Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), in which both sides face assured annihilation in the event of nuclear war. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, America’s policy of targeting Soviet military bases as a deterrent to war proves to be ineffective. Consequently, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara conceives a new […]

Cold War episode 12 – MAD 1960-1972 Read More »



Cold War episode 11 - Vietnam 1954-1968

Cold War episode 11 – Vietnam 1954-1968

History / 8 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 11 – Vietnam 1954-1968: Since the conclusion of French colonial rule, Vietnam has been a nation divided. The North is governed by communists, while the South is controlled by anti-communists. Despite cautionary advice against involvement in a nationalist conflict, the United States deploys its military forces. As opposition to the war grows within America, the US comes to realise that victory is unattainable.     Following the French defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, refugees pour into South Vietnam from the North as a strict land reform programme is implemented by the communist regime. With

Cold War episode 11 – Vietnam 1954-1968 Read More »

Age of Steam episode 4

Age of Steam episode 4

History / 7 minutes of reading / / By

Age of Steam episode 4: As Fred embarked on his mission to trace the development of steam power, he found himself delving into a world of invention, experimentation, and human ingenuity. By unearthing the stories behind the traction engine’s rise, Fred not only gained a deeper appreciation for the Age of Steam, but also forged an emotional connection with the people and machines that shaped our modern world. Join us as we follow Fred’s footsteps, exploring the triumphs, challenges, and lasting impact of steam-powered transportation.     Fred’s journey began with the visionary inventors who dared to harness the power

Age of Steam episode 4 Read More »



Cold War episode 10

Cold War episode 10 – Cuba 1959-1962

History / 12 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 10 – Cuba 1959-1962: In a gripping tale of political intrigue and high-stakes brinkmanship, Khrushchev, with Castro’s consent, decides to station short and medium-range missiles in Cuba, a mere 90 miles from the United States. As the tension mounts, the U.S. discovers the missile sites and enforces a blockade around the island. The two superpowers stand toe-to-toe, teetering on the edge of nuclear war, before sensibly stepping back from the precipice.       In the turbulent aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro seizes power and forms a strong alliance with the Soviet Union. His decision

Cold War episode 10 – Cuba 1959-1962 Read More »

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

History / 7 minutes of reading / / By

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch: The story of how a prince became a king. An intimate portrait of HM King Charles, told in his own words from across the decades and featuring rare and unseen archive footage. This is the remarkable tale of how a young prince eventually ascended to the throne, becoming the king we know today. This captivating narrative presents an in-depth portrayal of the newly crowned monarch, as he navigated the intricate path of heir to the throne for seven long decades. Told almost entirely in his own words, the story unfolds through a diverse

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch Read More »



Cold War episode 9 - The Wall 1958-1963

Cold War episode 9 – The Wall 1958-1963

History / 6 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 9 – The Wall 1958-1963: The fate of Germany remains unresolved. West Germany has been admitted to NATO. Within East Germany, Berlin is divided between East and West by an open border. Thousands seize the chance to flee the communist system. To keep their people in, the East Germans, with Soviet backing, build The Wall.       As West Germany and West Berlin become more affluent, East Germans begin to flee their country for their more prosperous neighbor. Khrushchev demands that the British, French, and Americans leave West Berlin, but they decline and the opportunity for

Cold War episode 9 – The Wall 1958-1963 Read More »

Age of Steam episode 3

Age of Steam episode 3

History / 5 minutes of reading / / By

Age of Steam episode 3: Fred looks at the key role that was played by steam power in the extraordinary expansion of industrial Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and at the continued use of huge stationary steam engines in mills, collieries and steel works until well into the 20th century.       As we navigate through the 21st century, it is important to remember the industrial roots that have shaped the modern world. One of the most impactful periods in history, the Industrial Revolution, was an era marked by significant advancements in steam power technology. “Fred Dibnah’s

Age of Steam episode 3 Read More »



Cold War episode 8 - Sputnik 1949-1961

Cold War episode 8 – Sputnik 1949-1961

History / 8 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 8 – Sputnik 1949-1961: During the mid-1950s, it appeared that the Soviet Union was surging ahead. In October 1957, the first Soviet satellite, Sputnik, orbited the Earth, causing dismay and fear within the United States as their space programme struggled to keep pace. In 1961, the Soviets sent Yuri Gagarin into space, forcing America to rise to the challenge.       Unbeknownst to the United States, the Soviets had been spying on their development of the atom bomb and quickly created their own after the Second World War. This ignited a nuclear arms race between the

Cold War episode 8 – Sputnik 1949-1961 Read More »

Cold War episode 7 - After Stalin 1953-1956

Cold War episode 7 – After Stalin 1953-1956

History / 7 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 7 – After Stalin 1953-1956: Following Stalin’s demise, it becomes possible for change to occur. Khrushchev outwits Malenkov in the struggle for power and embarks on a journey to the West. Citizens of Germany, Poland, and Hungary attempt to rebel against Soviet rule. In 1956, a Hungarian uprising is brutally suppressed by Soviet tanks. The US, committed to containing rather than overthrowing communism, takes no action.         Subsequent to Stalin’s unexpected death, Nikita Khrushchev seizes control of the Soviet Union and reverses some of Stalin’s repressive policies. Khrushchev also rekindles relations with Yugoslavia and,

Cold War episode 7 – After Stalin 1953-1956 Read More »

Cold War episode 6 - Reds 1948-1953

Cold War episode 6 – Reds 1948-1953

History / 8 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 6 – Reds 1948-1953: Following Stalin’s domination of Eastern Europe and the loss of China, American democracy falls victim to anti-communist hysteria, but survives it. Eisenhower is elected President. In the Soviet Union, Stalin reinforces the climate of terror on which his rule is based. When he dies, in 1953, the Soviet people mourn the end of an era. Fear of one another permeates the eastern and western leadership, trickling down to the citizenry.         The House Committee on Un-American Activities in the United States begins investigating alleged communist infiltration in the entertainment industry

Cold War episode 6 – Reds 1948-1953 Read More »

Cold War episode 5 - Korea 1949-1953

Cold War episode 5 – Korea 1949-1953

History / 5 minutes of reading / / By

Cold War episode 5 – Korea 1949-1953: In June1950, North Korea invades the South, with Stalin’s blessing. The United States, backed by the United Nations, defends South Korea, and then is confronted by communist China. In mid-1951, the war grinds to a bloody stalemate but eventually an armistice is signed. Aggression has contained. Korea was split between the United States and the Soviet Union at the end of World War Two. The Soviets install Kim Il-sung as the leader of the north, while the Americans place Syngman Rhee at the head of the south. In 1950, with the help of

Cold War episode 5 – Korea 1949-1953 Read More »

Age of Steam episode 2

Age of Steam episode 2

History / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Age of Steam episode 2: Fred Dibnah traces the development of steam power, from early colliery railways to the end of steam travel in Britain in the 1960s. Fred Dibnah traces the development of steam power from the earliest experiments in the ancient world to the modern nuclear power station.         As we navigate through the 21st century, it is important to remember the industrial roots that have shaped the modern world. One of the most impactful periods in history, the Industrial Revolution, was an era marked by significant advancements in steam power technology. “Fred Dibnah’s Age

Age of Steam episode 2 Read More »

Scroll to Top