What If? | The Immolation of Hernán Cortés

What If? | The Immolation of Hernán Cortés

"Cortés and his men leapt across the breach in the causeway to pursue the fleeing Aztecs, only to see them turn and attack. Drawn into the trap, Cortés and sixty-eight other Spaniards were captured and dragged off, leaving scores of others dead on the road. Ten captives were killed immediately, and…the remaining fifty-eight were taken to the towering Great Temple, which could plainly be seen from the Spaniards' camp, made to dance before the statue of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli, and then, on by one, they were sacrificed…Cortés escaped this fate only through the intervention of Cristóbal de Olea, who sprang to his defense, killed the four Aztecs who were dragging him off, and freed his leader at the cost of his own life. The very conquest of Mexico hung on this single act." — Ross Hassig, "The Immolation of Hernán Cortés

What if Cortés had died on the causeway or at any other point in his dangerous career?


Join us as we continue asking "What if", speak to what might have happened if the conquistador had met his end at the hands of those he sought to conquer, and how our world might be different today.

Episoder(401)

Adam Smith | Self-Interest, Division of Labor, and the Invisible Hand

Adam Smith | Self-Interest, Division of Labor, and the Invisible Hand

This season we have been covering individuals who have had a direct effect on history, in a positive or negative way. Adam Smith is one of those. He is called the “father of modern economics” and “the creator of capitalism”. Rather than walk you through a summary of his life, we will attempt to summarize the possible influences that formed three major concepts which exist in his later and final work, the Wealth of Nations, namely the appropriation of Self-Interest, Division of Labor, and the “The Invisible Hand”, thereby showing the linear deduction of each, and how that logic reflects in Adam Smith’s moral philosophy. With the presentation of these three ideas, it's our hope that you will make your own deductions regarding what kind of man he was and whether his effect on history was a positive one.

18 Apr 202214min

Analysis on the War in Ukraine | A Special Discussion

Analysis on the War in Ukraine | A Special Discussion

Join us as we look at the war in Ukraine through a historical lens, attempt to answer questions on possible outcomes, and gauge the long-term effects on the world now and in the future.

11 Apr 202239min

Colt, Gatling, and Browning | A Discussion on Gun Pioneers

Colt, Gatling, and Browning | A Discussion on Gun Pioneers

Join us as we discuss Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling, and John Browning. We talk about their work, their impact on history, and how their names are culturally relevant - beyond the brand - in our world today.

4 Apr 202245min

Colt, Gatling, and Browning | Gun Pioneers

Colt, Gatling, and Browning | Gun Pioneers

Samuel Colt’s name is forever linked to the company he founded and the revolver he called the “Peacemaker.” Born in Connecticut in 1814, he was steeped in America’s gun culture from an early age. His grandfather had served in George Washington’s army, and Samuel inherited an old flintlock pistol from the family hero when he was only six. At the age of fifteen, while working in his father’s textile plant, he built a galvanic cell (basically an early battery) and used it to set off explosives beneath the surface of a nearby pond during the Fourth of July. He continued to experiment with chemicals and combustion—as many young men do—and became fascinated by inventors’ work to create a firearm that could shoot more than bullets before needing to reload. Join us as we teach you about Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling, and John Browning. In this episode you'll learn about their work, their impact on history, and how their names are culturally relevant - beyond the brand - in our world today.

21 Mar 202215min

Che Guevara | A Discussion on the Symbol of Revolution

Che Guevara | A Discussion on the Symbol of Revolution

Join us as we discuss Che Guevara, his life, beliefs, and impact on our world today.

14 Mar 202239min

Che Guevara | Symbol of Revolution

Che Guevara | Symbol of Revolution

Join us as we teach you about Che Guevara, his influence, actions, and the effects of his Marxist beliefs.

7 Mar 202215min

Three Great Generals | A Special Discussion

Three Great Generals | A Special Discussion

Join us in this special episode as we discuss six famous generals, their lives, their methods, and what we can learn from them.

28 Feb 202256min

Joseph Stalin: A Discussion on the Intellectual and Killer

Joseph Stalin: A Discussion on the Intellectual and Killer

Join us as we discuss Joseph Stalin, his life, rise to power, effect on world history, and his insanity.

21 Feb 202253min

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