What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish)

What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish)

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on July 12, 2021.

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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 Arms of Krupp" | The Dangers of Corporatism

"The Arms of Krupp" | The Dangers of Corporatism

In 1814, as the empire of Napoleon Bonaparte crumbled from the onslaught of the Sixth Coalition powers, the people of Paris felt the ground shudder as cannon shells burst outside the city walls. A year later, the returned emperor's defeat at Waterloo had brought the Germans back to their beloved "City of Lights." In 1870, Paris was besieged by the armies of Kaiser Wilhelm I, and twice during the First World War, it seemed as though the jewel of France might fall into the hands of the great enemy across the Rhine. Each time, the guns of the Prussian armies made their way to the front from the great ironworks of Essen owned by the Krupps, the most powerful family in the German-speaking world after the royal House of Hohenzollern. The Krupp dynasty wielded its power not through the might of armies but the output of its industry. Joined at the hip with the rulers in Berlin, the arms of Krupp built the modern German state and empowered it to liberate a continent from French hegemony and then plunge the world into not one but two world wars. Join us as we teach you about the destructive history of the Krupp family, their empire, and the dangers of corporatism.

15 Mars 202116min

"The Arms of Krupp" | A Discussion on the Dangers of Corporatism

"The Arms of Krupp" | A Discussion on the Dangers of Corporatism

Join us as we teach you about the destructive history of the Krupp family, their empire, and the dangers of corporatism.

15 Mars 202136min

The American Civil War, Part 2 | War is Hell

The American Civil War, Part 2 | War is Hell

Around him lay the carnage of battle, men killed or nursing wounds. Smoke filled the air and burned the colonel's lungs. His depleted regiment had already repelled three attacks by rebels charging up the hill and was nearing the end of their strength. And yet the grey-coats kept coming. His superior's orders rang in his ears, "You must hold the line." Looking around, he thought to himself, "What more can we do?" Then it came to him, an order not often given in these days of modern war. Standing tall, he gave instructions to his battalion and company commanders, and then shouted a single word to those men still standing—"Bayonets!" Join us as we teach you about the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history.

8 Mars 202117min

The American Civil War, Part 2 | A Discussion on War is Hell

The American Civil War, Part 2 | A Discussion on War is Hell

Join us as we discuss the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history.

8 Mars 202138min

The American Civil War, Part 1 | War is Glory

The American Civil War, Part 1 | War is Glory

The streets of Washington buzzed with the news. Now seven states had seceded from the Union, and the country stood on the brink. The White House saw streams of officials entering and leaving as the president summoned the Cabinet and members of Congress to find a solution to the country's plight. Most believed that his inaction the previous December had led to this moment, while others pointed to the results of the election as the breaking point. Regardless of who was to blame, something had to be done. Federal troops in Fort Sumter were in a precarious position and calling for aid. A ship had been dispatched to resupply them but could not land its cargo because of fire from rebel batteries. As he sat in his office on the second floor of the White House, the President of the United States knew that he could not reunite the country. His term would end at noon the following day. His successor, whose election had precipitated the great crisis of the Union, would now have to solve it. Join us in the first of a two-part episode where we teach you about the American Civil War and its effect on our history.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

1 Mars 202117min

The American Civil War, Part 1 | A Discussion on War is Glory

The American Civil War, Part 1 | A Discussion on War is Glory

Join us as we discuss the beginnings of the American Civil War, the vile and evil institution of slavery, and the beginning of the bloody process by which it was finally brought to an end.

1 Mars 202138min

Thomas Crapper | A Brief History of Plumbing

Thomas Crapper | A Brief History of Plumbing

The concept of moving water from one place to the other has been on the minds of humans since their creation. Conversely, the desire to move soiled water away automatically has – at times – been considered equally important. The means by which this could be done has evolved as civilizations have come and gone. In all of them, a basic pattern emerged in plumbing conception and construction: the path, the pipe, and the seal. Join us as we teach you a brief history of plumbing, its evolution through the ages, and the influence of Thomas Crapper on plumbing technology and sanitation practices.  Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

22 Feb 202114min

Thomas Crapper | A Discussion on the Brief History of Plumbing

Thomas Crapper | A Discussion on the Brief History of Plumbing

Join us as we discuss the history of plumbing, the influence of Thomas Crapper, and the legacy of the pipe, the path, and the seal.

22 Feb 202117min

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