World History Class with Mr. Lutz

Here’s a whirlwind tour of Western Europe from approximately 1450-1750 where we focus on the major political, economic, cultural, and social developments of the era. There are some major developments in Europe during this time that will impact world history for a long time to come, some developments more than others of course. What we … Continue reading "Episode 19 – The Transfor...

We’ll finally connect all of the world together by bringing the Americas fully into our global view. This episode will tackle the motives, technologies, and actions taken by Western European nations to begin exploring the world’s oceans. We’ll also look at the new economic practicies and theories influencing these developments. Most importantly, we’ll see how … Contin...

This episode the transition to a world increasingly shaped by European actions by discussing the major shift about to take place where we see Western Europe begin to grow its power throughout the world. However, it must be understood that this development was not destined to happen; rather, it took a lot of larger global … Continue reading "Episode 17 – Expanding Global Contacts"

Enter the largest land empire in all of world history in this episode on the Mongols. Learn how they came to be unified, how they split apart, how they challenge our understanding of what truly defines a civilization, and evaluate just how notorious the khans really were! BBC History Extra article: “The brutal brilliance of … Continue reading "Episode 16 – The Mongols"

China’s influence stretches far and beyond the Middle Kingdom during the post-classical era! We’ll discuss how much of Chinese culture really penetrated into the societies of their neighbors in this episode. Angkor Wat Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gskysDR7BYw Thesis:  Although Japanese and Vietnamese cultures initially embraced features of Confucian culture, they all faced the...

China hits its cultural high point on this episode! You’ll learn about the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties as China returns to centralization after the Era of the Warring States. Confucianism makes a reappearance as Neo-Confucianism, trade thrives, culture flourishes, and China retains its crown as a center of global commerce and advancement. Footbinding Chicago … Continue reading "Episo...

We’ll be checking out the Aztecs and the Incas primarily in today’s episode, making as many comparisons between the two groups as we can while also tracing the roots of their histories in Central America and South America, respectively. I made a good bit of recommendations (in between my rantings, ramblings, and potential mispronunciations) throughout … Continue reading "Episode...

This episode tackles the notion that this time period should be defined by as simplistic a term as “Middle.” We’ll discuss the political, economic, environmental, and cultural changes and continuities (see what I did there?!) during this period. Here’s the video I rambled about! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFcF_qfLHeQ Donate to the Podcast! https://www.paypal.com/donate...

Today we talk Justinian, Byzantine foreign relations, political features, culture, differences in religion with western Europe, and the spread of Byzantine influences throughout eastern Europe. We even throw some love to the famous Nika Riots and give Theodora (some of) the credit she is due! This is my first episode I’ve recorded in a few … Continue reading "Episode 11 – The Byz...

Digging into the worlds of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai then moving on to the Swahili Coast! We’ll be looking at the spread of Islam throughout these two regions, interactions between cultures at these two points of contact, goods exchanged, as well as some of the technology and natural process helping to facilitate these interactions. Keep … Continue reading "Episode 10 – Post-Class...

Another one in the books! This time I focus on the decline of the Abbasids, the spread of Islam to South and Southeast Asia, the cultural and technological transfers brought on as a result of Islam, and the declining status of women in the caliphate. Article from “The Explainer” https://www.historytoday.com/jonathan-harris/byzantium-and-abbasids-best-enemies Recommendations (LISTEN TO...

Tackling the foundations, some social characteristics, and the very basics of the Umayyads and Abbasids. Be sure to check out my recommendation in this episode for lots more info about Islam! The podcast is now available on iTunes AND Stitcher! Links below. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/world-history-class-with-mr-lutz/id1418821133?mt=2 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mike...

Wrapping up Period 2! Let’s do this! The Silk Roads: A New History of the World https://www.amazon.com/Silk-Roads-New-History-World/dp/1101912375 AP World History reviews from Think Fiveable (formerly High Level History) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxnnTFTsVttnVo190h_-wZw/playlists?view=50&shelf_id=2&sort=dd More info about Fiveable here: https://courses.fiveable.me/ Donate to t...

How did I manage to fit all of Greece and Rome’s history into an episode just over 30 minutes long. I didn’t, not even close. However, I gave it a shot and here it is. Lots more to say about trade and the role of religion, but this episode tries to establish broad historical patterns … Continue reading "Episode 6 – Classical Greece and Rome"

This episode tackles some of the historical foundations and beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism while also addressing some of the political foundations of the Maurya and Gupta Empires. Stay tuned for today’s version of “The Explainer” to learn about the delicious pasta dish known as Cacio e Pepe. Further history of the dish and the … Continue reading "Episode 5 – Classic...

In this episode I cover the beliefs and values of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. You’ll also get the gist of the Qin and Han Dynasties! Get ready for the hit song of the summer, coming towards the end of the episode… “A Revolutionary Discovery in China” from The New York Review of Books https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/04/21/revolutionary-discovery-in-china/ The C...

Thanks to all those who have listened. Please feel free to leave any feedback. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1418821133 Donate to the Podcast! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=XUKN565T2EEDN&no_recurring=0&item_name=World+History+Class+with+Mr.+Lutz+podcast&currency_code=USD  https://ia801505.us.archive.org/3/items/03EarlyCivilizations/...

I finally got over my recording anxiety and laid down the track! It’s safe to say I’m pleased with this as my first go-round. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts because this is ultimately for students. I hope you find this to be useful! Take care, everyone. – Mr. Lutz Podcast music: … Continue reading "Episode 2 – Before History"

Here it is! The first episode has arrived. In the five minutes or so of my chatting I explain the rationale behind developing this podcast and the different segments I plan on including for each episode. Nothing content related yet, this is just to set up the basics! Those listeners who are not my students … Continue reading "Episode 1 – Intro to the Pod"