Today we finish with Martin Luther, the man credited with beginning the Reformation. Luther's final years are filled with increasingly angry battles with everyone from the Anabaptists to the Pope in Rome and, lastly, with Europe's Jewish population. Visit our website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron to support the show and get ad-free episodes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast...
While Martin Luther thought his reformation was about theology and humankind's relationship to God, many people felt it was about a great deal more. The peasants of Germany, for example, heard Luther's words and thought this meant the time was right for REAL change on earth, not in heaven, but here in Germany and right now. Luther sides with the princes during the rebellion and, in the midst of all the chaos, Martin Luther gets married. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version of the S...
Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, right? Nope. Mexican Independence is nearly four decades before the battle from which we get Cinco de Mayo. The true story is soooo much more delicious than just an independence day. The real Cinco de Mayo is about Napoleon III's bizarre attempt to put an Austrian Archduke on the throne of a new Mexican Empire. If you like this episode you will love the book, buy it here: https://amzn.to/3mIK6uC Check out Ad-Free versions of the show for one dollar per ...
In this bonus interview, I sit down with Jon Marshall and talk about his latest book: CLASH: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis. The book itself covers numerous United States Presidents all the way from John Adams to Donald Trump. Obviously the question of how the press treats each President and vice versa has been a hot topic of late, making Marshall's book extraordinarily topical and relevant. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Patreon Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcas...
I enjoy the narrative format we usually use but I wanted to do something different this time when covering a topic that is more thematic than chronological: the United States President and the Press. United States Presidents have famously, some infamously, fought with members of the press over the centuries. Today I ramble on a bit about three of those Presidents: John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Woodrow Wilson, and talk about what this all means. Ad-Free Show: patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Free...
Andreas Karlstadt and Martin Luther began the Reformation as fast friends. Karlstadt and Luther faced off against Eck together in the Leipzig Debates. But over time the two slowly fell out over a variety of issues including the Eucharist. Karlstadt's relationship with Luther became emblematic of how Luther's personality would impact the Reformation in his later years. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: ww...
Martin Luther's early Reformation built to one moment: the Diet of Worms. Held in the spring of 1521, the Diet of Worms offered Luther his first chance to lay out his faith before the Princes of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. Before doing so, however, Luther wrote three crucial works that will define the early evangelical movement in Germany, the most important of which was On the Freedom of a Christian, which, theologically, is denser than his 95 Theses. Western Civ 2.0 Free Tri...
In this bonus episode, I sit down with author and historian Joan DeJean and discuss her new book: Mutinous Women. When we tell the story of the settlement of North America, so often we focus entirely on the Thirteen Original Colonies which will become the United States of America. But when I found out that the French hatched a scheme in the early Eighteenth Century to populate the Gulf Coast with French convicts, and women at that, I simply had to learn more. In her book, DeJean covers the insan...
The world changed forever on October 31, 1517. On that day a hitherto unknown monk named Martin Luther posted Ninety-Five Theses meant for debate. And oh would they be debated. The Ninety-Five Theses begin a period of western history known as the Reformation. But, as we shall see, a schism in the western church was not certain at this point, nor did anyone take Luther's criticisms too seriously. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Free Trial of W...
And at last, we have made it. I "began" the Reformation in January. It's April. And at last, we are at Martin Luther. You simply cannot discuss the Reformation and not begin with Martin Luther. While the Reformation is going to fracture fairly quickly, it begins with Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses. Today we start the story, learn about Luther's origins and family, and how his upbringing forged the man brave enough to challenge the might of the Roman Catholic Church. Want more content? ...
In our final episode, before we (finally) get to Martin Luther, we cover the papacies of Julius II, the Warrior Pope, and Leo X, the Medici Pope. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv
All good things must come to an end, as they say. And, for some, the Borgia Age was actually a good thing. Just not for the Catholic Church in general. In this episode, the deaths of Rodrigo Borgia and his son Cesare bring the "promise" of the Borgia Age to an unexpected end. Meanwhile, in Ferrara Lucrezia Borgia comes into her own outliving both her father and brother. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/west...
Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia schemes to make his son Cesare the unrivaled master of Italy. Forming an alliance (and then unforming it before forming it again) with the French King Louis XII, Pope Alexander almost succeeds at making Cesare the duke of Naples and Romagna... almost. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, had plans for his son Cesare. Big plans. Like, Roman Empire-sized plans. No joke on that one. In this episode, Cesare Borgia sets his sights on Romagna with the intention of creating a permanent Borgia empire in Italy. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
While Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, could have created a mystique in his own right, we know the Borgia family just as much for the children as the father. Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia would have made fascinating case studies in psychology then and they still do now. In this episode, the Borgias begin to make their name synonymous with ambition at any cost. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Just like the last bonus episode I released, this is another episode off of my Patron's feed that I thought, in light of current events, was worth sharing with the larger audience. The history of Ukraine is complex and, decidedly, not synonymous with the history of Russia. In fact, many ethnic Ukrainians suffered greatly under Stalin and Moscow's iron grip. This is a condensed history of Ukraine that sets its unique history and story in perspective. Ukraine has always straddled east and west and...
In light of current events, I decided to release an interview I completed last year with Professor Serhii Plohky discussing his book: The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine. We talk about the early history of Kyiv, the Cossacks, the differences between ethnic Ukrainians and Russians, and even talked about what the future for Ukraine might be if Putin continued his aggressions, which, clearly, he has. Ukrainian history is complicated and, in this difficult time, it is important to remember its...
Last time, Rodrigo Borgia climbed the ladder up the Papal Curia. In this episode, he outmaneuvers his opponents and manages to secure the unthinkable: the throne of St. Peter. Borgia takes the name Alexander VI and immediately begins setting forth his vision for a Borgia Italy. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Decided to have fun with this one. Rather than do the same old author interview, I sit down with author Scott Rank and conduct my first ever Presidential Draft. We take turns each of us drafting a United States President and justifying our reasons. If you like United States History and certainly US Presidents. You will enjoy the show. Happy Presidents Day! Full Disclosure: The audio did not come out perfect on this one. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivp...
The Borgias is a name infamous for treachery, naked ambition, and depravity. But how did a relatively unknown Cardinal from Spain manage to will his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI? Today, we begin the story of the Borgia family and watch Rodrigo Borgia climb the ladder of the Curia, positioning himself for that final step. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
In this episode, we cover the first several Renaissance Popes. The Avignon Papacy did plenty of damage to the reputation of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. But, unfortunately, those Renaissance Popes who came afterward did not help the situation. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
In this bonus episode, I sit down with Jason Voiovich and talk about his most recent book: "Marketer in Chief". In this unique American history, Jason explains how each United States President sold the idea of America. We talk about Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3mRgwmV Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Realizing that I have referenced "Christendom" and "Europe" interchangeably for a bit, I figured I needed to correct any misunderstandings. So in this "half" episode, I walk through what Christendom was the main factors that brought it down: the Renaissance, the Reformation, growing nationalism, economic disruptions, and the discovery of the New World. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free...
Beginning in the early Fourteenth Century, the Papacy went through a period of protracted exile from Rome. The Popes changed the seat of the Papal Government to Avignon, on the Rhone River in modern-day France. This period of exile coincided with the further decline and secularization of the Roman Catholic Church in ways that would hurt the overall reputation of the church in the decades to come. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/w...
Here's a super quick review of about one thousand years of church history. This will take us up to the tragic years of the Avignon Papacy. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv
I sit down with Virginia Postrel and talk about her new book: "The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made The World". We discuss how the development of textiles has often been overlooked in historical study and why that is such a crucial mistake. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Today we examine the ways in which Roman Catholicism impacted the lives of everyday European in the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period to better understand the impact that the Reformation will have on normal early modern Europeans. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
In this bonus episode, I sit down with historian Jeremy Popkin and talk about his latest book: "A New World Begins". In this exhaustive and excellent history of the French Revolution, you get a complete sense of just how complicated was this all-important event in world history. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm /westernciv...
I have a bonus preview of one of my Patron Deep-Dives this week: It's All Greek To Me. This is a several-hour-long look at the Greek civilization and Greek cultural influences on the world at large. In this part, I take the Hellenes from Minoan Domination through the Persian Wars. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Here is a sneak peek of some of what goes on in our Patron's feed, available for $2 per month at patreon.com/westerncivdpodcast This is the first of four episodes detailing the lives of two of history's most important women: Cleopatra of Egypt and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In total, this four-part series covers their lives and the tumultuous times in which they lived in around six hours of total content. This is episode one of four. Check out more at westerncivpodcast.com or patreon.com/westerncivpo...
