What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit
15-Minute History12 Heinä 2021

What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit

The raft floated in the midst of the River Niemen. On it were two beautiful pavilions, one for the Emperor of the French and the other for the Czar and Autocrat of All the Russias. In the French tent, Napoleon Bonaparte argued with his foreign minister, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, over how harsh the peace terms with the defeated Russians should be. Talleyrand, a servant of every revolutionary government since 1789, was a snake in silk stockings, but he knew foreign policy better than anyone else in the emperor’s entourage. He begged the emperor to treat Russia gently and put an end to fifteen years of war. But Napoleon, flush with the victory at Friedland earlier that year, was determined to humiliate Alexander I, and Talleyrand, ever the obedient servant in public, fell silent.

What if Napoleon had heeded Talleyrand’s advice in 1807 and treated the Russians with more respect? What would our world look like today if history had taken a different course?

In this series of bonus episodes on “15-Minute History,” Joe and I will be sharing some of our favorite “What If?” scenarios from this series with you. Building on the theme of Season Four, learning from history, we hope to provide some lessons on how individuals shape the destinies of large groups and entire nations.

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The German Resistance | Standing Alone

The German Resistance | Standing Alone

The factory worker's back ached as he sat with his wife and daughter eating a meager breakfast. No enemy raids last night, so the family had actually slept well. His son entered the kitchen with the morning's mail in his small hands. His father took the stack from his boy, passed a letter to his wife from her mother—God protect her, he thought—and then opened the first envelope. His eyes widened as he read the words and then flickered to the door; he half expected Gestapo agents to burst through it. "Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be ‘governed’ by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct. It is certain that today every honest German is ashamed of his government." The man folded the paper and put it back in the envelope, then tucked it into his waistcoat pocket. But that night, in a candlelit cellar, he read every word. It spoke of German history, of morality and ethics, and cursed the Führer's regime to the hell from which it had emerged. His eyes were wet with tears as he read its final words, lines of poetry from the great German writer Goethe: "Now I find my good men | Are gathered in the night, | To wait in silence, not to sleep. | And the glorious word of liberty, they whisper and murmur, | Till in unaccustomed strangeness, | On the steps of our temple | Once again they cry in delight | Freedom! Freedom!" Join us as we teach you about the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both.

30 Tammi 202315min

What to Watch | A Discussion on History in Movies, Part III

What to Watch | A Discussion on History in Movies, Part III

Join us as we discuss the good and bad movies from the episode, What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III.

23 Tammi 202345min

What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III

What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III

Back by popular demand - mostly Jon’s - is our “What to Watch” in historical movies series. This time, Joe got to review the good ones, while Jon suffered through the bad ones. The team also recorded this one together, so expect some words of affirmation, and maybe, disgust.

16 Tammi 202323min

St. Nicholas | A Discussion (w/ two special guests)

St. Nicholas | A Discussion (w/ two special guests)

Join us as we discuss (with two very special guests) St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. Let us know if you would like our two special guests to return!

24 Joulu 202218min

St. Nicholas | A Historical Perspective

St. Nicholas | A Historical Perspective

As the holidays approach and young children start writing their letters (or sending emails, tweets, and Tik Toks) to Santa, we here at 15-Minute History thought it would be fun to look back at the man who inspired generations to give gifts to friends and loved ones each Christmas. Parents, don't worry if you're listening to this with the kids--there won't be any spoilers. Join us as we teach you about St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season.

19 Joulu 20228min

The History of Social Media | A Discussion

The History of Social Media | A Discussion

Join us as we discuss the history of social media, the reason for its popularity, and some ways to use social to influence the word around us in a positive way.

12 Joulu 202222min

The History of Social Media | REDUX

The History of Social Media | REDUX

In this REDUX episode from our first season, we show you the history of social media from its inception to today, the reason for its popularity, and its possible impact on our society today. The first attempt at what would later be defined as “social media” took place in the fall of 1969. The United States military was conducting tests using the first proto-internet, called ARPANET, which was used to create connections between computer stations. This pre-internet attempt spawned the famous communication – or lack of communication – which occurred in October of 1969 from the campus of UCLA. An attempt was made to send the word Login between two computers on campus, but a computer crash resulted in the letters LO being received. This first miscommunication did not stop the developers from continuing their work and successfully sending the message a month later. This achievement, both the failed communication and the successful one, would have a lasting effect on social media, whether those developers intended it or not.

5 Joulu 202218min

Fredrick Douglas | A Discussion

Fredrick Douglas | A Discussion

Join us as we discuss Fredrick Douglas, his early life, his escape to freedom, and his profound effect on ending slavery in the United States.

21 Marras 202241min

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