Western Civ

Hernan Cortes was not the first Spaniard to reach Mexico. But, somewhat shockingly, even as late as 1518, the Spanish did not know about Mexico. They knew something of the land to the west of Cuba, but not much. In this episode, I talk about the first interactions between the Mexica and the Spanish. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www....

in this bonus, author interview, I sit down with Professor Gayle Greene and discuss her book: Immeasurable Outcomes: Teaching Shakespeare in the Age of Algorithms . This book is for any educator right now. There is a lot for us all to commiserate with. Note: Full disclosure, we had some tech issues with this one. I could not use my normal recording system and what we did use abruptly cut off about...

The recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria destroyed a large portion of Gaziantep Castle in Turkey. This site dated back to the Second and Third Century CE to the never-ending wars between the Romans and Parthians. Seeing the footage of the destruction, I was reminded how fragile history can be. We need to work to preserve sites like this so that they are not lost because once they are lost, we can...

In this bonus interview, I sit down with historian Kate Cooper and discuss her most recent book: Queens of a Fallen World . This gripping and innovative history of St. Augustine looks at the four women who influenced his life, theology, and writing. Like any work, Confessions was not written in a bubble. Augustine, one of the most important church fathers, was highly influenced by his mother, fian...

In this episode, we take a look at the Aztecs as they are commonly known or the Mexica as they are correctly known. The Mexica ruled a flourishing, cohesive empire when Hernan Cortes showed up. Today I cover the basics of the Mexica civilization. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv Teaching Resources: http...

Today we cover what we can in terms of Mayan political history. The Maya organized themselves into essentially what we might call city-states. These centered around some locations you might recognize like Chichen Itza and Tikal, and many more you will not recognize. Sadly, much of Mayan history is lost to us as much of the written record did not survive the centuries. But, I'll give you what I can...

Today we really switch gears. Before we explore the Spanish conquest of the Aztec and Inca civilizations, we have to set the stage. Long before those conquests, the Maya dominated the jungles and mountains of the Yucatan. Today we introduce them. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Seven-Day Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In our final episode on Suleiman the Magnificent, he nearly completes his conquest of the Mediterranean and Iran. Meanwhile, succession issues threaten to derail the entire Ottoman Empire. Still, when Suleiman dies in 1566 it is officially high tide for the Ottoman State. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In this bonus author interview, I sit down with Historian Felicia Kornbluh and discuss her most recent book: A Woman's Life is a Human Life . This objective history of the battle over reproductive rights is a true tour de force. To purchase the book, please click on the link below. Disclaimer: The book covers the fight to end sterilization and legalize abortion. Listeners who are sensitive to this...

In this episode, we follow Suleiman as he leads the Ottoman Empire to its territorial height. After teaming up with the intrepid Barbarossa, Suleiman leads the Ottoman navy across the Mediterranean until Ottoman hegemony over the eastern Mediterranean is complete and Charles V is forced into a defensive posture. Then, in 1541, Suleiman formally annexes Hungary, which will remain in Ottoman possess...

In this bonus author interview, I sit down with Historian Jacqueline Jones and talk about her latest book: No Right to an Honest Living . The book details the Black experience in Boston between roughly 1840 and 1880. It is an excellent book and I hope you enjoy the interview. To purchase the book, click HERE . Website Patreon Page Western Civ 2.0

Last time Suleiman the Magnificent came to the throne and immediately threw himself at the west. Before two years were out Belgrade and Rhodes were both in Ottoman hands. Suleiman marshaled Ottoman artillery superiority to quickly expand his borders on all sides. Charles V and the rest of Europe sat, paralyzed. Charles and Francis were at each other's throats as we already know. Henry was too far...

Having covered the period between the Fall of Constantinople and 1520, we can now get into the most famous Ottoman Sultan of all: Suleiman the Magnificent. In this first episode, we introduce Suleiman and cover the campaigns of his first two years in power. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon (Ad Free Shows): www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernc...

Mehmet II's death leads to a brief power struggle between his two sons: Bayezid and Cem. In the end, the Janissaries pick Bayezid and Cem finds himself packed off to Rome. Bayezid enlarges the Ottoman Empire picking up new territory in northern Syria. His death leads to his son, Selim I, taking the throne. Selim I expands the Ottoman Empire even further than his grandfather, ending the Mamluk Empi...

We last left the Ottomans in May 1453, as Mehmet II triumphantly rode into the gates of a conquered Constantinople. After thousands of years, the Romans were finally vanquished. In this episode, we catch up with the remainder of Mehmet's reign. And yes, there is plenty left to go. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon Feed: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/wester...

Marking the end of a turbulent beginning to the Sixteenth Century, the deaths of Henry VIII, Francis I, and Charles V (who technically abdicates before his death) brings one era to a close. Francis and Charles are left exhausted after years of pointless war, but both die knowing that their lines will live on. Henry VIII believes to have put in place an iron-clad succession plan, but Thomas Cranmer...

Francis and Charles finally resolve their differences and western Europe gets a break from the carnage. But, as usual, the fate of Milan spoils the pot and before long the two are at it again. Meanwhile, in England Henry deals with the factionalism that is threatening to tear his court apart. Henry marries (twice) and ultimately divorces (twice). But only Katherine Howard loses her head this time....

Unable to help himself, Francis I pushes Charles V and much of western Europe into war. Luckily for him, his talented General Montmorency takes the reigns this time and wears Charles out resulting in a pyrrhic French victory. Meanwhile, back in England Henry VIII FINALLY gets the male heir he was so desperately (and that's an understatement) wanted. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Shows...

It has been a while but let's catch up with Francis and Charles. Since his release, Francis I has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of complying with the Treaty of Madrid. The French Royal Council is only too happy to rubbers-stamp that decision. Charles V, infuriated, does what he can to take revenge. Meanwhile, in England, the Pilgrimage of Grace nearly topples Henry VIII from po...

In his upcoming book, The Mongol Storm, historian Nicholas Morton discusses the vast subject that is the Mongol Empire. All of it. Here we talk about a small fraction of his excellent work. Link to the Book: https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/nicholas-morton/the-mongol-storm/9781541616295/ Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/wes...

In this episode, Anne Boleyn fails to produce a male heir (definitely NOT her fault) and loses her head while Henry does his best to enforce religious conformity. Spoiler alert: it's not going to work. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Add-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Last time, King Henry VIII took England right up to the brink of separation from Rome in order to divorce Queen Catherine and marry Anne Boleyn. In today's episode, pressed by his advisors, Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Cranmer, Henry formally declares himself the head of the Church of England and marries his mistress. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast...

Sometimes in history, an unexpected event or emergency changes its course. In the late 1520s, Henry VIII, King of England, wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry Anne Boleyn. In normal times, this would not have been an issue. But it just so happened that at that exact same time the Pope was the prisoner of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who happened to be Catherine's nephew. A...

In this episode, we take a step back and examine the origins of the English Reformation up to, roughly, 1522. Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey work to try and solve some of the problems facing the church while the intersection between civil and canon law eats away at the delicate balance between church and state. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western C...

The Battle of Pavia left Francis I in Imperial custody, Henry VIII utterly jubilant, and Charles V hopeful but wary. While Francis stews in Italy and then Spain, Charles weds Isabella of Portugal to the delight of his Castilian subjects. Henry, however, begins to have major doubts about the validity of his own marriage as he falls deeply in love with Anne Boleyn. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com...