The GCSE History Revision Podcast

How did religion change under the Normans? When William of Normandy asked for the Pope's blessing to invade England, he promised to reform the corrupt church in England. Was it corrupt? And how far did he stick to this promise? All will be revealed in this episode...

In this episode we cover the people who didn't benefit from the economic boom; who were they, and why were they left behind? We also zero in on the experience of black americans and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. It's recommended that you listen to this section alongside the episode on the experience of immigrants to make sure you're comfortable with WASPS and so on. CONTENT WARNING: This epi...

What changes in the legal system did the Normans make? This whistlestop tour takes in language, forest law and legal principles before stopping off for some good old fashioned death and mutliation when we look at trial by ordeal and consider the role of God in determining guilt or innocence.

In this episode we cover the causes of Prohibition through to the growth of the Chicago Outfit and the repeal of the 18th amendment in the wake of the St Valentine's Day Massacre. Are you a Wet or a Dry? Let us know in the comments.

What was it like to be a peasant in Norman England? How was your day organised, what sort of work would you do throughout the year and what did the village actually look like?   The book referenced in the episiode is this one: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-year-1000/robert-lacey/danny-danziger/9780349113067   You can find it cheaper on ebay and Abe Books.

In this episode we cover the basics of landholding and lordship. How was Norman society organised? How did homage, scutage and subinfeudination keep the system running? What was fiscal feudalism and who were the Marcher Lords?

In this AS Level Bonus Episode we cover a basic overview of Fletcher's situation ethics that you'll need for your Ethics paper. It will also be useful for GCSE Religious Studies. 

A quick overview of the types of immigration into the USA, the laws that were enacted to try and control immigration and a close look at the case of Sacco and Vanzetti and what this can teach us about the way that the American legal system viewed immigrants and political radicals.

The USA in the 1920s saw a boom in the economy unlike anything since the Industrial Revolution in Britain 150 years earlier. What caused the American economy to explode the way it did? In this podcast we engage on a probably futile quest to decide what was the most important factor. For bonus points, if you listen carefully you can hear us desperately flicking through books and notes really quietl...

A quick introductory podcast to the structure and politics of the USA in the 1920s to give some context to the rest of the Topic. This episode covers: Federal and State governments Democrat and Republican The Presidents  

In this bumper episode we look at the various challenges to William's rule in the years 1066-76. We cover the Harrying of the North and Hereward the Wake and along the way discover what became of Morcar and Edwin. This is a chronological overview of the various revolts and rebellions that will help you build up context; it is not a replacement for your detailed notes!

In this bumper episode we discuss the three battles of 1066 and consider how each one effects the one after. Was the outcome of Hastings a given, or was it in doubt right up until the moment? Three of the most experienced rulers and war leaders in Medieval Europe meet - and only one will survive. 

In this final episode for Paper One, we are joined by two very special guests to give us their insights on the most unlikely event of the 1930s: Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia signing a non-aggression pact.  DISCLAIMER: No dictators were harmed in the making of this episode. 

The Munich Conference was a triumph of Appeasement; it pulled Europe back from the brink of war. Or so it was seen at the time. But later it came to be seen as betrayal of Czechoslovakia and an unacceptable collapse in the face of German aggression. Which one is right? Listen in as Mr W attempts to teach a Geography teacher about the Munich conference.

How does a sudden growth in population effect a city that doesn't have the infrastructure to deal with it? This episode looks at the Cairo case study to try and answer that question. As an added bonus you will hear Mr W rendered speechless for pretty much the first time in 20 years.

Historians and politicians have been arguing about the policy of Appeasement since the 1940s. Was the idea of trying to reach an arrangement with Hitler a sensible way to avoid a war or was it an act of moral cowardice? In this essay style episode we'll discuss the arguments for and against appeasement as well as some of the ways it might come up in the exam. Apologies for the noise right at the e...

Historians and politicians have been arguing about the policy of Appeasement since the 1940s. Was the idea of trying to reach an arrangement with Hitler a sensible way to avoid a war or was it an act of moral cowardice? In this essay style episode we'll discuss the arguments for and against appeasement as well as some of the ways it might come up in the exam. 

What were the events and consequences of the Anschluss with Austria of 1938? Why did this attempt succeed where the 1934 attempt did not? In this slightly different format episode, Mr W tries to explain the Anschluss to someone who's never studied history before. What could possibly go wrong?

The remilitarisation of the Rhineland was the biggest single breach of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. It was, quite simply, illegal. So why did no one stop it? And could action here have stopped Hitler before the situation spiralled completely out of control?

How did the Chancellor of Germany present himself to the international community in the early years of the 1930s? And to what extent did this influence the way they reacted towards him later? This podcast covers the years 1933-36.

For 20 years after 1945, WW2 was regarded as something caused solely by Hitler's actions. For Topic 3 of the exam, you need to consider whether this is true. We start here, with Hitler's aims in foreign policy. Did he want a war? If not, what did he actually want?

In this Geography Bonus Episode, Mrs G tries to teach Mr W about the various types of coastal processes. This podcast is useful for both Coursework and Exam and covers: Waves types Discordant and concordant coastlines and headlands Cracks, caves, arches, stacks and stumps Wave cut notches and wave cut platforms.

Early in 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without leaving an heir. This one death and the confusion over who should succeed him was to completely change the course of British History. There were four men who could lay claim to the throne of England, but were all the claims equal? In this Essay style episode, the three of us have a good old argument about who should be king. And there was genui...

In this wrap up episode to finish off the Origins of World War One, the two of us have a good old argument about which of the causes is the one you can blame the war on; Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism This is the podcast to listen to if you're worried about the essay questions as you can see how we use evidence to defend our positions.