Cooper Talks: Recent Episodes
Toby Cooper
A series of episodes to help develop an awareness and understanding of major issues in History and Politics across the USA, UK, Europe and global politics and ideologies; everything for the A Level History, Politics, GCSE History and just those with a curiosity and interest.
In this episode I take a look at the work of Edward Jenner and the development of vaccines at the end if the 18th centruy and how vaccines became popular and successful at ending small pox in the UK.
In this episode we look at the work of William Harvey which disproved Galen’s theory thet the liver pumped blood and made dramatic increases in the development of anatomical understanding and medical reseach, if not in diagnosis and treatment during the 17th century.
One of the medicine case studies we look at the last major outbreak of the bubonic plague in England, known as the Great Plague of 1665. A different outbreak but the same disease as afflcited England during the Black Death, the Great Plague offers a useful comparison between the middle ages and Renaissance period in terms os similarities and differences in attitudes towards the cause and treatment of disease.
A look at Medieval Medicine, focused on England, lookinng at the Black Death as a case study for attitudes and ideas relating to the causes and cures for illness in this time. Though much if it shows the severe limitiations if medieval medicine, some if the new measures may feel familiar to the modern world. More than anything, it raises the quesrion if why so little change occured follwoing this major pandemic.
An episode looking a the third of three key crises in the middle period of the Cold War. The Prague Spring marks a big test for Brezhnev and parallels the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. Slightly dofferent and showing that, despite Detente, the old super power rivalries were continuing much as before.
Here we look at the Vietnam War in summary, covering the causes, origins, path and ultimate faikure of the US to stop the spread of Communism. Very much a highlights episode as the Veitnam War could be an enitre series in its own right, this is designed to give some context and understanding to what was happening in Vietbam and how it impacted the wider Cold War.
In this episode we look at the events and consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. This builds on recent podcast episodes thet shows the building of tensions between the USA and USSR from 1959 until they reach their peak here in 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis was possobly the closest the world came to a full scale nuclear war during the Cold War and it ushered in a period of relative peace and easing of relations called detente.
In this episode we look at the cosntruction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. We link it back to Potsdam and the changes that had occured in the 1950s as well as the short term causes that ked to the construction of the physical wall. One of the pivitol moments of the Cold Wat with huge symbokic consequences for the course of the conflict, I hope this epsidoe gives you the important contextual information for understanding the significance of the bulding of the Berlin Wall and why Beelin was such a flashpoint in international relations during the Cold War.
In this episode we tske a look at how realtions dramatically detriorated at the start if the 1960s. We look breifku at America’s history with Cuba and the Wedteen Hemisphere and how the Cuban Revolution the American response turned Cuba from the American sphere to the Soviet sohere, culminating in the catatrophic Bay of Pigs invasion. These events would olay directly into two major events of thw Cold War; the building if the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis, so this episode should be iseful in providing context for these events.
In this episode I look at the events in Hungary in 1956, looking at the context and issues, the reasons for reforms, the reforms and the Societ reaction. Most importantly, looking at the importnace for the wiser Cold War and how this episode finished the first oeriod of the Cold War, setting the dividing lines for the next 30 years.
A look at the Kornilov Affair during 1917; what it was, why it happened and what the consequences were for Kerensky, the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks.
This is part of a series of episodes to compliment those studying the GCSE course Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-41. In this episode we look at ideas, development and support for three key groups; the Liberals, the Socialist Revolutionaries and the Social Democrats, who would, in turn, be split into the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. All three would go on to compete for control over Russia in 1917 so this will be important background to understanding what happened in 1917.
Looking at the background to Henry VIII becoming king, considering his upbringing, the threats his father faced, his education and relationship with his mother and his influences. There are many signs that point to later moments of his tyranny and issues that help to explain subsequent events.
A look at the Korean War as a case study for containment as well as considering the development of the arms race, China going Communist, new alliances and the death of Stalin.
In this episode, I look at how the Cold War developed after the end of World War II, with the reasons and ways in which the USSR was able to assert control over eastern Europe, the American reaction including the Truman doctrine and Marshall Plan and the Berlin blockade and resulting airlift.
A look at the key ideas and origins of the Cold War, considering the relationship between capitalism and communism before World War II, the context of the conferences and how the seeds were planted for the development of the Cold War and nuclear arms race.
This is one of my UK politics podcasts, recorded in light of the 2019 election. There are two key parts to it; in the first part I consider the divisions between sections of the two main parties and the ideological divisions that have existed and how they, maybe, have resolved themselves; but maybe not. In the second part, I consider how parties matter in current UK politics, focusing on their role in relation to their key functions, with a bit of an exam focus for those that use these to help with their A Levels.
In this episode we look at the main aspect of appeasement, the Munich conference and the resulting agreement that gave Hitler the Sudetenland, the reasons for appeasement and the consequences, including the Nazi-Soviet Pact and the outbreak of World War II.
In this episode I look at the early steps to war, considering Hitler's aims and strategies, the key events and the background of the Great Depression and the failure of the League in Disarmament and over Abyssinia, taking us up to the unification of Austria with Germany.
A look at the concept of the revolt of the right, mainly focused on the UK but with reference to Trump in America and European movements. Considering how class dynamics have evolved, the role of the 'left-behind' voter and how the party's have responded. Great for Party topics and voting behaviour.
A look at the three key crises of the 1930s for the League of Nations, the failures, the reasons for them and the impact of the Great Depression, giving a final over view of the League of Nations as a whole.
In this episode, I look at the work of the League of Nations in the 1920s, considering the aims, structure and actions, evaluating its success and failures and what issues were apparent before the Great Depression.
A look at the Paris Peace conferences, focusing on Versailles and considering the context of the meetings, the attitudes of the Big 3, their aims, compromises and satisfaction with the Treaty, German reactions and the other treaties. Useful for anyone studying GCSE or just a general interest.
A contextual look at the historical development of the three core ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism.
With the confirmation of Kavanaugh yesterday, I thought it was time to look at the Hellerstedt case and how it built on the previous cases looked at in an earlier episode on abortion rights in the USA. Here I take a look at what was at issue in the case and how the ruling wasn't the liberal ruling many calm, but was significant nonetheless and how it relates to the political impact of the confirmations of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.
In this episode, I took a look at the core ideology of liberalism and the first of the key thinkers, John Locke, looking at his theories, the context in which he was writing and how his ideas have gone on to influence the liberal movement as a whole.
The preamble to the US constitution says 'to form a more perfect union...and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity'. What does this mean and how does the US constitution achieve this? The constitution is America, but it also has flaws and contradictions. In this episode I hope to raise some issues for discussion and explain some of the questions people ask about the constitution.
This UK centered episode focuses on the idea of democracy and whether or not representative democracy is in trouble, how it is supposed to work and the issues arising due to populism, demonstrated in the Brexit and Trump results of 2016. It focuses on democratic theory, but also considers different types of democracy and the nature of democratic processes and their problems.
The Wright reforms were a series of proposals to redress the balance between the government and Parliament, suggesting proposals to give ordinary MPs more control over the the legislative process and greater ability to scrutinize the government. Some have been introduced, while some have been ignored, but these reforms are crucial for understanding parliamentary reforms and the nature of the relationship between the government and parliament in the UK, as well as reflecting key constitutional reforms.
Made in 2015, this episode considers the nature of democracy and elections in the UK. More recent examples are available, but the principles and arguments are valid and important. Particularly, there is a focus on why participation matters and why attitudes to politics have changed as society changes. This contextualization is essential in A Level essays.
A look at pressure group activity in the USA, with particular focus on lobbying. Does it undermine democracy, or does it aid the national interest? Useful for A level students and for those learning about why the NRA is able to prevent tighter gun regulations from happening.
A look at what caucuses are, the criticisms and positives of them and the general problems they have in the wider primary process, with relevant examples.
In this episode I look at the key ways in which voting rights are being restricted, from gerrymandering, registration drives and voter ID laws, to cuts in early voting and restrictions on felon voting. These probably contributed to the greatest challenge to American democracy since the end of Jim Crow.
Following the unexpected news that Antonin Scalia died on the 13th February 2016. I look at the implications for the Supreme Court and the elections, as the game of political football begins and partisan bickering overshadows the death of a Justice.
In this episode we bring the partisan divide up to the present, looking at how and why the divide has increased in American Politics since Obama became President and the consequences for American democracy.
Following on from the last episode, this time we look at how the partisan divide developed in the 1970's and became established in the 1980's under Ronald Reagan and his legacy. Particularly, we consider the impact Reagan has had on his successors and the extension of the partisan divide to Congress bringing us up to 2008.
In this, the first of three podcasts looking at the partisan division in America, I look at the origins of the growing divide, from the period of bi-partisan cooperation in the 1930s-60s, the growth of social movements, white backlash, the Goldwater revolution, the establishment of primaries and the reasons why the Democrats and then the Republicans began to leave the common center ground before Watergate.
As the candidates start gearing up for big push in the new year, I take a look at why Presidential elections cost so much, covering the costs of simply getting on the ballot, the fact that more can lead to less in TV advertising and the other associated costs.
How does direct democracy work in the USA? What exactly is an initiative? Why are ballot measures growing in popularity? In this episode I look at the different types of direct democracy in the USA, some recent examples of measures that have been successful and the arguments for an against them. As legislative democracy stumbles along, will direct democracy become the solution to America's problems?
The Supreme Court has had a long history of dealing with race relations in the USA, but has the Roberts' Court seen a change in attitude since Alito's appointment? In this episode I look at three recent cases on the Court and look for clues to the future. With Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin back at the Supreme Court, could this be the end of affirmative action programs?
Is the Supreme Court the final protector of women's rights, or is it establishing laws it has no right to? In this episode I look at the issue of abortion at the Supreme Court, the justification of it, the evolving decisions, the impact of those decisions and the potential impact of the Texas HB2 case. This is a presentation on the specific rulings to demonstrate how the Supreme Court has operated and how parties and interest groups use the Supreme Court to advance their causes.