The History of Current Events

Détente had come to an end. With the paranoid former KGB head Yuri Andropov assuming the Premiership and the election of the staunchly anti-communist Ronald Reagan, things were heating up in the Cold War.   As the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan reached its peak and Reagan’s rhetoric became more and more aggressive, things had reached a fever pitch. The accidental downing of Korean Airlines 007 by the Soviets brought the two Superpowers to the point of no return.  Stanislav Petrov, lieutenant colonel of the Soviet nuclear early warning systems received a message one night. That the United States was preparing to launch numerous nuclear strikes on the Soviet Union. His decision that night saved the world from global nuclear war.Support the show

The official story is that Brazil was discovered by Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese sailor who while far out at sea on a voyage to India around the African continent spotted some seaweed and found what he believed to be a large island sitting in the Atlantic. However the French nobility claim to have discovered it 4 years earlier. This episode explores the early years of Brazil, its founding, use of Degredadoes, and Cabral's failed voyage to India.Support the show

The show has returned, Sorry for the long hiatus. This new series will focus on Brazil.  Former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has defeated Brazilian Incumbent president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, leading to the first time in that country's history that an incumbent president has lost the next election.   Bolsonaro was controversial to say the least, called by some journalists the Brazilian Trump, this title does not give credit to the nastiness that is Jair Bolsonaro. This episode will begin to explain the dark history of Brazil, a history of slavery and colonialism that eventually led to a brutal dictatorship, now notorious for its use of rape, torture and murder to subjugate its peoples. and how a former captain for the army in the dictatorship Bolsonaro rose to the highest office in the land.Support the show

This episode explores the history of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, explaining the commonalities and differences in language, history, and culture. The second half of the show explains the modern history of Ukraine and Russia's attempt to absorb them into the Russian and Soviet Empires. The final chapter explains the Ukrainian invasion from the Russian perspective.Support the show

Oldie but goldie! Sorry for the lack of shows lately my lovely fans, I am still alive. This is one of my favorite episodes from the podcast covering a range of things I find nostalgic. The Japanese Beethoven  I am working on an episode about the Brazilian election which I hope to get out soon.Support the show

Oda Nobunaga, fresh from his victories in the east was ready for the final battle that would determine the fate of Japan. All that remained in his way was the Mori clan, beaten and battered, located around the western tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest Island. Nobunaga summoned his forces to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had conquered deep into Mori territory, this army would consist of his son and heir Oda Nobutada, one of his oldest and most trusted generals Akechi Mitsuhide and Oda Nobunaga himself, leading the army.   Before meeting his army, Nobunaga and Nobutada rested in Honnō-ji temple in Kyoto. What happened next was the Honnō-ji incident which would shape the fate of Japan until the present day.TOPICS COVEREDThe Death of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Son and WifeThe Siege of TakamatsuThe Honnō-ji IncidentTokugawa Ieyasu Smuggled Out of Kyoto by NinjasThe Reasons Behind Mitsuhide's betrayalThe Legacy of Oda NobunagaSupport the show

Oda Nobunaga was nearing his dream, of a unified Japan under his rule, all that remained were the wavering Ikko-Ikki and Mori clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide, two of Nobunaga's most trusted generals, began a final campaign against the Mori. Hideyoshi was successful however Mitsuhide struggled leading to resentment. Once again thanks to Nobunaga's meritocratic mindset and innovative tactics both the Ikko-Ikki and Mori began to fall. In the East The sons of the Tiger and Dragon were failing to fill their father's shoes. Oda Nobunaga, after decades of warfare, was nearing his dream.   Topics Covered Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide's Campaign against the Mori The 2nd Battle of Kizugawaguchi The Surrender of Ishiyama Hongan-Ji Yasuke, the Black Samurai The Uesugi Civil War The Fall of the TakedaSupport the show

The samurai were the result of centuries of corruption from the oldest clan in Japan, the Fujiwara. The Fujiwara held complete control of the government of ancient Japan, even at one-point controlling the emperor. Through this power abuse rose the Taira and Minamoto who eventually took over and then fought a civil war between themselves with the Minamoto coming out on top. A Daimyo could not become Shogun unless he had lineage dating back to the Minamoto clan, The Oda did not have this. One such clan that did have this lineage was the Mori clan of Western Japan. The Mori were famed seamen and through the leadership of their great lord Mori Motonari, they became the most powerful clan of Western Japan.  Topics Covered Ancient Japan The Fujiwara Clan The Rise of the Taira and Minamoto The Genpei War The Kamakura Shogunate Part II Oda Nobunaga Destroys the Ashikaga Shogunate The History of the Mori Clan Mori Motonari The Battle of Miyajima The Mori Declare War On the OdaSupport the show

The story continues after the inconclusive battles of the Kawanakajima plains. The Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen returned to the Tokugawa lands, but his untimely death would lead his son Takeda Katsuyori to become leader of the Takeda clan, Katsuyori was not his father and he would lead the Takeda clan into almost complete insignificance. The Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin would have more success in extending his realm, even defeating Oda Nobunaga decisively, however his untimely death would lead to another position of turmoil for the Uesugi...  Topics Covered The Death of Takeda Shingen Takeda Katsuyori Takes Power The Fall of The Takeda (The Battle of Nagashino) The Tiger and the Dragon Unite The Battle of Tedorigawa The Death of Uesugi KenshinSupport the show

The age of the samurai was full of great men and great stories to go along with them. None are more iconic than the tale of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo. Although Sengoku Jidai is best remembered through the eyes of the three great unifiers, there were stories of bravery, cunning and deceit all throughout the land.  This is the story of the Tiger and the Dragon, and their battle for domination of Eastern Japan.  Topics Covered The Takeda Clan Takeda Shingen Uesugi Kenshin Kenshin Takes Control of Echigo The Battles of Kawanakajima Operation Woodpecker The Great Lords Meet Face to FaceSupport the show