Western Civ

Episode 447: The New World Exploited

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I cover Spain's colonial efforts between 1492 and 1600, focusing on the broad economic, political, and social trends.Western Civ 2.0

Making Sense of Slavery: America’s Long Reckoning, from the Founding Era to Today

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In recent years, from school board meetings to the halls of Congress, Americans have engaged in fierce debates about how slavery and its legacies ough...

Episode 446: Louis XIII

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before turning to the New World, we bring the Old World up to speed, covering Louis XIII and France, Philip's heirs in Spain, the Ottoman Empire, and ...

Episode 445: War and Peace

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Thirty Years War comes to an end, leaving Germany devastated and divided.Western Civ 2.0

Episode 444: The End of the Baltic War

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Holy Roman Empire wilts under the combined pressure of Sweden and France. Spain exits our stage. And Central Europe lurches toward peace.Western C...

Episode 443: A New Alliance

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Shifting alliances continue to hamper peace efforts in the Thirty Years War.Western Civ 2.0

Episode 342: The War in Germany

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Thirty Years War continues to drag on in Germany after the death of Ferdinand II and the ascension of Ferdinand III. Western Civ 2.0

Episode 341: The War After Adolphus

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The years after the death of the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus saw the ever-shifting alliances of the Thirty Years War do maximum damage. Western Ci...

Episode 340: The Lion of the North

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden briefly, but decisively, intervenes in the Thirty Years War.

Episode 339: Denmark Intervenes

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian IV of Denmark intervenes in the Thirty Years War. WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0

Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants War

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The German Peasants’ War was the greatest popular uprising in Western Europe before the French Revolution. In 1524 and 1525, it swept across Germany...

Episode 338: Cardinal Richelieu

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cardinal Richelieu comes to power in France, altering the course of French history.WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0 

Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies

08 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For millennia, land has been a symbol of wealth and privilege. But the true power of land ownership is even greater than we might think. In Land Powe...

Episode 337: Fall of the Winter King

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Frederick V's brief stint as the leader of the Protestant resistance comes to an end. WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0

Episode 336: The Defenestration of Prague

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Thirty Years War begins with the Bohemian revolt. That begins by a bunch of guys getting chucked out a window...WebsitePatreon Support

Episode 335: The Eve of War

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The death of Emperor Rudolf in 1612 brought his brother Matthias to the throne. While this marked a period of recovery for the Habsburg dynasty, Matth...

Episode 334: On The Brink

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The years leading up to the Thirty Years War saw the repeated failures of various institutions within the Holy Roman Empire.WebsiteWestern Civ Podcast

Episode 333: Denmark

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have not covered Denmark or Sweden much since the Viking Age. Today that changes. Both kingdoms will play major roles in the Thirty Years War so to...

Episode 332: The Spanish Juggernaut

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spain was truly a world empire by the opening of the Thirty Years War in 1618. While it was not without weaknesses, it was perceived as being the most...

Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today I interview historian Josiah Osgood and we discuss his latest book: Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome. In its final...

Intent to Destroy: Russia’s Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. And yet, to Ukrainians, this attack was painfully familiar, the latest episo...

Episode 331: And the Ottomans...

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Thirty Years War might not have happened had the Habsburg monarchy been stronger. But a series of internal and external conflicts beginning in the...

Episode 330: House Austria

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One simply cannot understand the Thirty Years War without first digesting the Austrian Habsburgs. Today, we tell that story.WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0 Fre...

Episode 329: The Religions of the Empire

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I cover the convergence of faiths in the Holy Roman Empire that will, to an extent, drive the conflict of the Thirty Years War: Catholicism, Lu...

Episode 328: The Empire

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we begin the Thirty Years War, I back up a bit and explore the structure of the Holy Roman Empire.WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Early Modern Overview Four: Religion, Economics, and Technology

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As you can imagine, much changed in European economic life and technology between 1450 and 1650. Here I cover many of the most relevant transformation...

Early Modern Overview Three: Politics and Culture

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss major political and cultural changes in Early Modern Europe.WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0

Early Modern Europe Part One: 1450

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We begin our overview of Early Modern Europe with a close look at the year 1450. That is the year when most textbooks begin the era. Today we explore ...

Episode 327: Ivan the Terrible (Part Four)

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ivan's reign ends as it began, with needless death and destruction. Ivan appears powerless to resist Lithuanian advances but is more than capable of m...

Episode 326: Ivan the Terrible (Part Three)

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ivan creates a new government and takes his anger out on the citizens of Novgorod. WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Episode 325: Ivan the Terrible (Part Two)

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ivan goes on campaign against Kazan and the guardrails start coming off. WebsitePatreon Support

Episode 324: Ivan the Terrible (Part One)

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ivan IV assumes the throne after a twelve-year regency. It does not take him long to earn his nickname. WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0

Episode 323: Russian Review

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before we jump into Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV), let's catch up on the Rus.WebsitePatreon Support

Episode 322: The End of James I

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Charles and Buckingham go on an adventure to Spain which ends, spoiler alert, horribly. The Thirty Years War erupts in Germany. But James does not liv...

Episode 321: Trouble in Germany

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James I desperately wanted to marry his son, Charles, to the Spanish Princess. However, when his son-in-law, Frederick of the Palatinate, becomes embr...

The Bible: A Global History

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A global history of the world’s best-known and most influential book.For Christians, the Bible is a book inspired by God. Its eternal words are tran...

Episode 320: King and Parliament

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Stuart dynasty did NOT have a good relationship with the English Parliament. That begins with King James I. WebsitePatreon Support

Aesop's Fables: A New Translation

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Aesop’s fables are among the most familiar and best-loved stories in the world. Tales like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Dog in the Manger...

Episode 319: The Gunpowder Plot

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guy Fawkes et al decide to blow up King James I and the English Parliament. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work...WebsiteWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Episode 318: James I

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The end of the reign of Elizabeth I ends the Tudor dynasty. James I becomes the first of the short-lived Stuart line. His reign begins with no shortag...

Episode 317: Henry IV of France

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Henry of Navarre spends several years fighting for the crown of France, converts to Catholicism (again), and issues the famous Edict of Nantes. Websi...

Episode 316: The End of Tudor England

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Few dynasties have had the impact on a modern state more so than the Tudors on England. Yet, the dynasty lasted hardly more than a century.  Elizabet...

Western Civ 2.0 Episode 73: Tiberius Gracchus

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, you get a sneak peek of the great stuff going on in Western Civ 2.0. You can join for a free trial by clicking HERE.After the T...

Episode 315: England Triumphant

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

England emerges from the defeat of the Spanish Armada, its stock never higher. Yet all around Elizabeth the signs of the end of the Tudor age continue...

Episode 314: The End of the Valois

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We enter this episode with an heir and a spare. We end with neither and the end of France's ruling house since the High Middle Ages. Western Civ 2.0 ...

Episode 313: The Armada

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The "Protestant Wind" fells Philip's Armada, leaving Elizabeth "Eliza Triumphant". Western Civ 2.0 Free TrialWebsite

Episode 312: The Tragical Execution

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, finally meets her end. Western Civ 2.0 Free TrialWebsite

Episode 311: Henri III

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine D'Medic's favorite son takes over the throne of France. Henri III is going to be notable for many reasons in French history and today we beg...

Episode 310: The Death of Charles IX

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Charles IX, fairly or unfairly, will forever be remembered for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. His death ushers in a new era of uncertainty for bo...

Episode 309: English Intrigues

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we return to England under Queen Elizabeth I. Around Elizabeth, her key advisors grow increasingly uneasy about her seeming unwilling...

Episode 308: The Sedentary Sultan

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After the death of Selim II, the Ottoman Empire goes into a period of decline. Successive Sultans seem far more interested in doling out favors to the...

Episode 307: Selim II and the Battle of Lepanto

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are back in the Ottoman Empire. Selim II takes over for the deceased Suleyman the Magnificent. He continues his father's policies but suffers...

Episode 306: The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The swelling tide in France finally explodes in August 1572. Just as it seems like the marriage of the Protestant Henri of Navarre prepares to wed the...

Episode 305: The Second War of Religion

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine D'Medici does her best to continue charting a course of conciliation but, in this episode, her luck finally runs out. France lurches into no...

One Week to Change the World: An Oral History of the 1999 WTO Protests

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with author DW Gibson and discuss his latest book: One Week to Change the World: An Oral History of the 1999 WTO Protests.One week in...

Episode 304: The Grand Tour

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine d'Medici and Charles IX take a grand tour of France while religious turmoils continue to simmer. Western Civ 2.0 Free TrialWebsite

Episode 303: Gloriana

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this two-part episode, we follow Elizabeth as she deals with a major northern uprising and potential treason surrounding Mary Stuart. Then we pause...

Episode 302: Queens North and South

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we follow Queen Elizabeth I of England and Mary, Queen of Scots, as they deal with similar issues. Elizabeth continues to grapple wit...

The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian, Adam Smyth, and we discuss his latest book: The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives.Books tell all ...

Episode 301: Without an Heir

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Queen Elizabeth falls ill, bringing the nation up to the cusp of a complete succession disaster. Immediately afterwards Parliament pressures the Queen...

The Cleopatras: The Forgotten Queens of Egypt

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian, Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, and discuss his latest book: The Cleopatras: The Forgotten Queens of Egypt. One of history’...

House of Lilies: The Dynasty That Made Medieval France

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In House of Lilies, historian Justine Firnhaber-Baker tells the epic story of the Capetian dynasty of medieval France, showing how their ideas about ...

Episode 300: Huguenots and Catholics

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Despite her best efforts to reach a compromise, the Massacre at Vassy finally pushed France over into its First War of Religion. Spoiler alert, it won...

City of Light, City of Shadows: Paris in the Bellé Epoch

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down for an interview with historian Mike Rapport to discuss his latest book: City of Light, City of Shadow: Paris in the Bellé Epoch.In ...

Episode 299: The "Rightful" Queen of England

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth deals with the continued fallout from the death of Amy Dudley while word from France arrives that Mary, Queen of Scots, believes she has a b...

Western Civ 2.0: The First Punic War

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is a bonus sneak-peak of what I do over on the paid feed: Western Civ 2.0. (The actual paid feed does not have ads.) In this episode, I cover th...

Episode 298: Francis II - The Shadow King of France

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The death of Henry II thrusts his fifteen-year-old son Francis into the throne. From the word go Francis II is uninterested in running his kingdom. No...

Episode 297: King Robert Dudley?

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we break down the changes that Robert Dudley might become the next King of England. Spoiler alert, he doesn't. While Elizabeth I migh...

Episode 296: The Virgin Queen

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth is often known in history books as the "Virgin Queen". As we will see in this episode, to remain unwed was a conscious choice she cultivated...

Episode 295: The Unknown Queen

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we begin Queen Elizabeth I, one of the most important British monarchs in history. Elizabeth takes over for the deceased Mary with England in ab...

Episode 294: The Dutch Rebellion

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Dutch Rebellion is the longest domestic revolt in modern European history. Over 80 years the Dutch slowly but surely ground Philip II into bankrup...

Episode 293: Burning England

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, the reign of Queen Mary I of England comes to an end. Mary's efforts to burn England free of heresy fails and Princess Elizabeth a...

Episode 292: Bloody Mary

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now we get to the Queen Mary I of England everyone knows. In the span of just over two years, Mary burned more heretics than Edward VI or Henry VIII c...

Episode 291: Queen Mary's Early Reign

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Queen Mary I of England survives the first challenge to her power and emerges with the sense that she is God's ordained monarch. As a result, the pace...

Episode 290: A Glorious Union

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the death of Edward VI and the failure of Jane Grey to seize the throne, Queen Mary's ascent seemed likely to mean there would be a dramatic and ...

Episode 289: Promise Unfulfilled

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The English Reformation really heats up between 1551 and 1553. Unfortunately, the boy king, Edward VI, dies young leaving the dream of a final evangel...

Episode 288: Dudley and the English Reformation

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dudley, the Earl of Warwick, now dominates the Privy Council. As a result, the pace of religious reform decidedly quickens. The Mass ...

Episode 287: Upheaval

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Somerset survived his brother's poorly planned coup, but this time he won't be so lucky. The enclosure crisis continues to rock England and today that...

Mirrors of Greatness: Churchill and the Leaders Who Shaped Him

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian David Reynolds and talk about his latest book: Mirrors of Greatness: Churchill and the Leaders Who Shaped Him.Winston ...

Vietnam: A New History

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with Christopher Goscha to discuss his new book, Vietnam: A New History. In Vietnam, Christopher Goscha tells the full history of Vie...

Episode 286: The Lord Admiral Falls

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we return to England. Edward VI is still a teenager and not in control of his own realm. His uncle, the Lord Protector Somerset, is t...

Episode 285: Henri II, King of France

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Henry takes command determined not to repeat his father's mistakes. Catherine, at his side, does her best to help him while continuing to battle Diane...

Episode 284: A New King

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Francois, the Dauphin and heir to the throne of France, abruptly dies. Suddenly, Henry becomes first in line to inherit the throne of France. Henry an...

Episode 283: Henry and Catherine

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Henry, Duke of Orleans, and Catherine de' Medici are destined to become the King and Queen of France. But you would not have thought so at the beginni...

Episode 282: The New Josiah

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Edward's coronation sets off a wave of religious reforms. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with Lord Somerset as Protector - least of all his own ...

Bonus: Warfare in the Crusades

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is time to talk to historian Nic Morton again, we last discussed the Mongols and today are talking about the Crusades and crusading warfare. We tal...

Episode 281: The Heir

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now it's time to get back to politics. When we last left off, the deaths of Henry VIII, Francis I, Charles V and Sulieman the Magnificent left Europe ...

Episode 280: Galileo's Trial

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we wrap up our Galileo story arc. Galileo is tried for heresy after the publication of the Dialogue and, spoiler alert, found guilty. The father...

Episode 279: The Inquisition Structure and Organization

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode on the Spanish Inquisition, I cover its structure and organization. Specifically, I explain how the Spanish Crown, notably King F...

In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is our last bonus author interview of the year - and it's a good one! I sit down with historian Nick Bunker and break down his amazing book: In the...

Episode 278: The Inquisition and the Reformation

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Had it not been for the Reformation, the Inquisition probably would have died out in the early Sixteenth Century. But, of course, there was a Reformat...

The Eunuch

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am joined by author Charles Fischer to discuss his book: The Eunuch.Why would a eunuch want to write a secret history of life in the court of ...

Episode 277: God's Fire

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Both Ferdinand and Charles V refuse to reform the obvious abuses inherent to the Inquisition. And so the fires of the Acts of Faith burn. And burn. An...

The Book at War

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus author interview, I sit down with Andrew Pettegree and discuss his latest work: The Book at War. I talked with Professor Pettegree previ...

Episode 276: The Coming of the Inquisition

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we cover the 1492 expulsion of the Jews and how that event created the need for the Inquisition by dumping rocket fuel on the already smoldering...

Episode 275: The Jews of Spain

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we switch gears and begin to unpack the Inquisition. The beginning of the Inquisition revolves around the Jews and the Spanish monarc...

Warriors, Rebels, and Saints: The Art of Leadership from Machiavelli to Malcolm X

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's bonus author interview, I sit down with Moshik Temkin to discuss his most recent book on leadership: Warriors, Rebels, and Saints: The Art ...

The Forgers: The Forgotten Story of the Holocaust's Most Audacious Rescue Operation

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian Roger Moorhouse and discuss his most recent work: The Forgers: The Forgotten Story of the Holocaust's Most Audacious R...

Episode 274: Galileo Part Six

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Galileo publishes The Dialogue, essentially sealing his fate with the Inquisition.WebsitePatreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Episode 273: Galileo Part Five

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Galileo travels to Rome and puts all his cards on the table. It was time to make the argument Copernicus was right. The Jesuits don't buy and he leave...