Long History

(4 of 12) Towards the end of the first voyage, why does Vespucci take so many prisoners?

(3 of 12) On his first journey, in 1497, why does Amerigo Vespucci describe one area as looking like Venice?

Sometimes, minor prime ministers do major things. George Grenville introduced an innocuous little tax and accidentally helped to create a country along the way: only the blummin' United States! Learn why Grenville made his misstep here.

(2 of 12) How does the supposed document about Amerigo Vespucci’s first journey describe the first group of local people met in the Americas?

(1 of 12) Why is it thought that America was named after Amerigo Vespucci?

Arguably the 19th century's most famous prime minister, not least because he created a police force who would use his name ('bobby'). What else led to Robert Peel being one of the most reformist of all prime ministers?

What stood out in the source documents about Jacques Cartier's journeys exploring the area of Canada's St Lawrence River? What makes these documents different from others looked at on Long History?

French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the area of the St Lawrence River in the 1500s, leading to the earliest written use of the word Canada. What were the main events during Cartier's three journeys to the area of today's Montreal and Quebec City? 

One of the earliest prime ministers was also the only one to follow his brother into the top job. Find out more about Thomas Pelham-Holles, the Duke of Newcastle, who was prime minister during the Seven Years War.

Long History has just passed its second birthday. We've heard fantastical claims about El Dorado, we've followed the earliest explorers across the Pacific and heard eye-witness accounts of the earliest exploration and settlement of North America. What were the highlights of Long History's second year?

On Columbus' second journey he went to find out what happened to the men he left behind on Hispaniola. On the third journey he headed towards the southern Caribbean on his search for new lands. What were the main surprises along the way?

Victoria's reign was over; the 20th century had begun. Balfour represented the last gasps of the Victorian era. Why has he, even recently, raised controversy?

Columbus’ first journey is of course his most famous, but what happened on the journeys were he returned to the Americas?

(18 of 18) John White left possessions behind when he left Virginia in 1587. Three years later he return, to find out what happened to the more than 120 people he'd left behind to found a settlement. They had all disappeared, but there was another question: what had happened to his possessions?

Who was the prime minister mentioned in The Beatles' Taxman ("Haha Mr Heath")? Edward Heath took office as the 70s began, leading to a turbulent decade in British politics.

(17 of 18) What clues did the early English settlers of Virginia leave behind to explain their disappearance?

(16 of 18) Where do the English visit on this fifth journey to Virginia? Before reaching Virginia, John White sailed the Caribbean, picking fights with the Spanish along the way, leading to what amounts to a first-hand account of 16th century piracy. 

Why is Lloyd George seen as one of the best prime ministers ever? Yes, he won World War One, but what were his other transformative achievements?

(15 of 18) Why did the governor John White return to England, leaving the colonists behind?

(14 of 18) What mistake led to the English killing friendly locals instead of their enemies?

David Cameron's premiership is linked with austerity and Brexit. This is a tale of three referendums. Was it third time lucky for David Cameron?

(13 of 18) John White headed a 1587 expedition to set up a new English colony in Virginia. He travelled to Roanoake expecting to find 15 men left behind on a previous voyage. What did John White find when he arrived? 

(12 of 18) This is a first-hand source of the earliest attempts by the English to settle Virginia. In this episode, Sir Francis Drake Arrives, offering help. What help does Drake give, and do these first English settlers in Virginia accept his offer?

Margaret Thatcher is one of the most famous of the UK's prime ministers, and one of the most divisive. She is both celebrated and hated. What did she do that was so good, and so bad?

(11 of 18) During the earliest English attempt to settle North America, who were behind the local people’s battles against the English?