Trinity Academy History Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Lindsay Rea
Lessons
S3 - Hitler and Nazi Germany S4 - Free at Last Higher - Britain 1851-1945 AH - From Tsarism to Communism
Stalin once said: 'You know, they are fooling us, there is no God… all this talk about God is sheer nonsense'. The Soviet Union was the first state to have as an ideological objective the elimination of religion. Toward that end, the Communist regime confiscated church property, ridiculed religion, harassed believers, and propagated atheism in the schools. Actions toward particular religions, however, were determined by State interests, and most organised religions were never outlawed.
The main target of the anti-religious campaign in the 1920s and 1930s was the Russian Orthodox Church, which had the largest number of faithful. Nearly all of its clergy, and many of its believers, were shot or sent to labor camps. Theological schools were closed, and church publications were prohibited. By 1939 only about 500 of over 50,000 churches remained open.
Explore how the Communist regime, especially under Stalin wanted to have good socialists amongst them. Education was revised from Lenin's era to be more exam focused as well as discipline. With the Cultural Revolution, there was a removal of teachers suspected to be bourgeois specialists and a direct link to factories.
Explore how the Communists wanted to emancipate women economically, socially and politically. Changes were made on Marriages, Family Codes and access to Abortion. How did they fare under Lenin? He believed house work to be a drudgery. Whilst in a Stalin society the propaganda showed them to be working mothers and a focus on a strong Soviet family.
Exploring how Stalin cemented himself and his status in Russia and required adulation from his people. To them he was the wise man, saviour, teacher and Lenin's natural successor.
We examine how Hitler's rise in Germany created a fear in the Russian High Command and the need for collective security against fascists.
Key events on helping to spread fear and escalated the purges :
1936 — Spanish Civil War broke out — Soviet Union aided the Republicans against the Nationalists who received Nazi and Italian aid
• 1936 — Anti-Comintern Pact signed with Italy, Japan and Germany to counter Communist influence
• 1937 Japan invaded China — Soviet military aid sent to Nationalist Chinese • 1938 — Border clashes between Red Army and Japanese forces in Lake Khasan.
Podcast focus on the 'Totalitarian' line and 'Revisionists'. Was Stalin responsible the all powerful dictator? Or was in a 'weak dictator' and it was more a reaction to events as terror infiltrated all areas in society?
This podcast examines the purges of the High Military Command and how there is a fear that the Red Army is subversive to being infiltrated by foreign enemies. We shall look at the spy scare and examine was the army purged due to Stalin wanting more power or that he believed they were unreliable.
We examine the fallout after the Kirov murder with the trial of the Sixteen, trial of Seventeen and then trial of the Twenty One. We also explore the role of Yezhovshchina and NkVD order 00447. Finally we try to tally up the number of victims.
We shall be examining the events of the 17th Party Congress and the deterioration in the friendship between Stalin and Sergei Kirov. He had been a loyal ally of Stalin in the 1920, but his popularity now made him a rival. Let's examine the murder or assassination and see how this launched the Great Terror.
This episode examines the debate of the origins of the 'Great Purges' or that of the 'Great Terror'. How do we refer to them? We also touch upon the history of violence in the Communist regime and explore the death/ suicide of Stalin's second wife. Did her death further cause him to withdraw and see anyone as an enemy?
When America sneezes the whole world catches a cold! How did the financial crisis on Wall Street impact upon Germany? Why were 6 million unemployed by 1932? Why was the democracy failing to deal with the situation? Let's explore...
How did the Bolsheviks lose control in July 1917 but managed to come back on a wave of popular support by August 1917?
How did Lenin's return hasten the problems facing the PG? Learn about his popular slogans "Peace, Bread and Land" and "All power to the Soviets". We shall also look at the four main problems that the Provisional government failed to tackle. Was it then doomed?
Explore how Victory needed to be achieved in fighting racism and Nazism in Germany but how Black Americans fought for victory for civil rights back home.
Analysing why Hitler decided to plan a right wing revolution, what happened and the consequences of the event.
Exploring the measures taken to establish the Tsar's rule and offer interpretations for the 1905 revolution. Was it a revolution or a popular protest? Lenin himself called it a 'dress rehearsal ' for the main event.
Continuing on from part 1, looking the the natural of political opposition - reformers and revolutionaries!
Lesson shall focus on the segregation in America and ask was society 'separate but equal'?
Recap the Constitution of the Weimar Republic and learn about how the Spartacists (Communists) tried to seize power in January 1919.
Looking at political opposition until 1905 and a focus on the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.
Looking and discussing how World War One helped women get the vote in 1918. Yet was it really a reward? Also discussion on how Britain was the "mother of democracy".
Lesson 2 - red scare, fear of crime, competition for jobs and houses, racism and WW1
LESSON - FOR MONDAY. NO NEED TO LISTEN TO YET!