The History in Motion Podcast

In today's episode, Paul & Ritchie embark on a captivating voyage across the Atlantic with none other than Christopher Columbus, a figure deeply intertwined with the Age of Exploration. We'll journey back to the late 15th century, navigating the trials and triumphs of Columbus's expeditions, a defining moment in global history that forever changed the trajectory of many nations. Th...

In today's episode, Paul & Ritchie navigate the tumultuous waters of the Partition of India, a landmark event in the history of the Indian subcontinent. We delve deep into the intricate political maneuvers, the remarkable personalities involved, and the heart-wrenching human stories at the heart of this momentous transition. Join us as we journey through the year 1947, when two nations, In...

In this weeks episode join Paul & Ritchie as they delve into the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb." Born in New York City, Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II, resulting in the world's first nuclear weapons. Yet, Oppenheimer was a far cry from a typical military figure. He was known for hi...

In today's episode, Paul & Ritchie delve deep into the life and legacy of George Washington, America's first president, and his momentous decision to relinquish control of the Continental Army. Journey with us as we explore Washington's unparalleled leadership, his unwavering commitment to the fledgling nation, and the pivotal moment that defined the future of American democracy. D...

In today's episode Ritchie and Paul discuss the life and legacy of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She became queen in 1774 and quickly gained a reputation for her lavish spending and extravagant lifestyle. Marie Antoinette's love of fashion, gambling, and parties earned her many enemies among the French people, who resented her for her perceived fr...

In today's episode Paul & Ritchie discuss Roman Emperor Commodus, successor and son of Marcus Aurelius - Rome's last Good Emperor. However, unlike his father, Commodus was not a wise or just ruler. Instead, he was known for his extravagant and erratic behavior, which quickly led to the decline of the Roman Empire. During his reign, Commodus became increasingly obsessed with his own pow...

In today's episode, Paul & Ritchie discuss Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his decision to choose his son, Commodus, as his successor. Marcus Aurelius was one of the most renowned emperors of the Roman Empire, known for his stoic philosophy and military campaigns - and is often referred to as the last of the "Five Good Emperors." During his reign, the Roman Empire experienced r...

In today's episode, Paul & Ritchie discuss King Leopold II of Belgium who known for his ruthless exploitation of the Congo Free State during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this podcast, we delve into the atrocities committed by Leopold and his administration in the name of profit and power. We explore how Leopold's pursuit of ivory and rubber led to the enslavement, mutilation, and mur...

In today's episode, Ritchie and Paul discuss Joan of Arc - rather then any one decision, we’re going to be looking at how she was able to navigate the complexities of the highly political and religious landscape of Late Medieval France. Ultimately her conviction and seemingly innate communication, and leadership skills helped galvanize French forces in key victories against the English. Join us to...

In today's episode, Ritchie and Paul analyze a very unique decision - the decision by the United States to conduct Operation Paperclip. A secret government program to recruit scientists, engineers, and technicians from Nazi Germany who had worked on advanced weapons and technology during WW2. Was this deal with the devil worth it? Join us in our discussion to find out if this decision gave the...

In this episode, Paul and Ritchie discuss Honest Abe (Abraham Lincoln) - the 16th President of the United States. We start with his background, his meteoric rise to White House, and ultimately his decision to NOT execute Confederate Leaders. Considering the carnage and massive loss of life that resulted from the Civil War, what propelled Lincoln to pursue a more diplomatic, less violent approach?...

In today's episode, Paul and Ritchie discuss Neville Chamberlain - is he the poster boy of appeasement? It is easy to throw judgements from the present onto the past. Ultimately, we know the policy of appeasement failed and is argued to be one of the leading causes for WW2. However, is it a fair judgement to characterize Neville Chamberlain by this one failure considering that the memory of WW1 wa...

In this episode, Ritchie and Paul talk about the great Islamic leader Saladin and his successful efforts against the Crusading forces during the Second Crusade. We look at this rise to power, his success against the crusading forces, and ultimately his decision to take Jerusalem in a much more merciful manner than his crusading counter parts. We discuss the rational and strategy behind showing mer...

In this episode, Ritchie and Paul talk about the great Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca and his bold decision to march his army (with war elephants) over the Alps to attack Rome. This decision is the precursor to one of the greatest military careers in the ancient world. In this episode, we explore how Hannibal brought Rome to the brink of destruction and how Hannibal changed the future of the...

In this episode, Ritchie and Paul talk about Harry S. Truman, America's 33rd president, and the momentous decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. This decision is the defining moment in Truman's legacy and is a defining moment for America on the world stage. In this episode, we explore why Truman is sometimes known as "the accidental president" and how internal Japanese pol...

In this episode, Ritchie and Paul continue their discussion about Harry S. Truman and the momentous decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. In part 2, we delve into why ending the war as quickly as possible was paramount and how the introduction of the Soviet Union into the war with Japan changed the fate of East Asia for decades to come.

In this episode, Ritchie and Paul talk about Sir John A Macdonald and the Pacific Scandal - the first major political scandal in post-confederation Canada. The scandal puts Sir John A. and his nation-making project at the epicentre of our discussion where we look to better understand the scandal and ultimately his decision to take a bribe. We explore what this teaches us about Canadian history, an...