Britain Goes To War
You are a citizen of the British Empire, the date is 22nd June 1897, and you couldn't be more excited to take part in the diamond jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria. However, strange events are afoot. A gallery of unusual paintings and a curator of uncertain ambitions await you... Dare you step into this, this first page of WDF's newest special? Listen away my friends. Welcome to a project that has been over a year in the making. Thankssss!
You've heard the cute prologue, but why should you stick around for the rest? Here I justify why doing BGTW is worthwhile, and why listening to the whole thing will be well worth your time. The most important questions and my aims are revealed, so you can judge for yourself whether or not you think you'll follow us in the future.
Still here? In that case have a looksee at what the plan is for the project: what is the schedule, what's the craic with that music, where I got the inspiration from to actually do it etc. After listening to this you should have all of your questions answered and hopefully you'll also feel psyched for it all to begin. This is the last intro episode, so after this we begin the meat of the project. Thanksss!
Our first chapter within our first part within our first episode of #2 of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) takes us to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria and introduces the British Empire in all of its glory. Britons had established something incredible in the space of two generations, and they had showed no signs of slowing down by the century's end. Having created this Empire for themselves, and with the world at their feet, what would London look to next? Were storm clouds on the horizon, and who was tasked with clearing them away?
How the British Empire's achievements filtered down to the more niche aspects of the British World is the main theme of this episode. The trade networks, the control of naval systems, the cross pollination of peoples, crops and livestock, and the need to flee for a better life abroad. All were concerns that Queen Victoria's subjects experienced, and we examine them here.
Britain did not overnight become an Empire. It wasn't built in a day, and the lessons it applied to its towering apparatus were not learned in one either. Listen here to discover the origins of the Empire that covered so much of the world by 1897. The importance of Ireland, the uniting of crowns, the establishment of dominions and the loss of America - all were critical lessons learned by London in an age of expansion and consolidation, when its Star was only on the rise, but still showed signs of one day shining brightly in the sky.
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes to War) we examine the period of 1858-1865. Within are political struggles at home, as governments fall are remade once more, and the Liberal Party is finally formed as an official unit. Abroad things become yet more complex; while some in Britain worried about Napoleon III would do, America decended into war and Bismarck began his first in a trifecta of wars designed at unifying Germany, to the utter bewilderment of Lord Palmerston's Cabinet, not to mention his Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone. Check it out, lemme know what you thought! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) we look at the founding principles of British politics in the 1840's. Specifically, we look at Sir Robert Peel and how his stance on Corn Laws and free trade dramatically affected the future of the Conservative Party. We also look at two very important, but very different, individuals who became political towers in their own field: Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. This episode isn't what you're used to, but it's the first of many episodes that establish a really important grounding in Britain and its political world before 1897. It may not be what you're looking for in WDF, but I promise it will be neither dry nor dull. Give it a try! Thankssssss!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes to War) we examine the period of 1858-1865. Within are political struggles at home, as governments fall are remade once more, and the Liberal Party is finally formed as an official unit. Abroad things become yet more complex; while some in Britain worried about Napoleon III would do, America decended into war and Bismarck began his first in a trifecta of wars designed at unifying Germany, to the utter bewilderment of Lord Palmerston's Cabinet, not to mention his Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone. Check it out, lemme know what you thought! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) we examine the reform bill of 1867. Though that may sound dull as dishwater, it was in fact a critical event in the history of Britain, not least because it pitted Gladstone and Disraeli against one another yet again, and bore witness to behind the scenes intrigue, political defections, shocking comebacks and finishers that came from out of nowhere! I may be joking about that last part, but regardless, take a listen to this episode and see what you think! Thankssssssssss as always
In this episode of Britain Goes To War (BGTW) we examine the aftermath of Disraeli's political loss to Gladstone in the late 1868 election which catapulted Gladstone to power at the head of a Liberal majority. While Gladstone set about solving things abroad and reacting to major changes in Europe, Dizzy was biding his time to strike back at his eternal foe, only to suffer a devastating loss closer to home... Check us out in our new Acast home!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) we examine the Irish problems Gladstone faced when he tried to fulfill his vision of the reform-filled future. They were legion; and just as his plan imploded, Disraeli's Conservatives were on the rise and the Home Rule League was massing in Ireland. Give this somewhat content heavy episode a listen and lemme know what you think! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) we examine the opening months of Disraeli's dominant Conservative government, Gladstone's defeat and retreat from public life, and the beginnings of rumbles in the Balkans which would soon explode in Europe's face. We also intro a number of important characters for the future. Check us out! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) we examine the series of events that occurred from mid-1875 to mid-1876. Within this imprecise timeframe a good deal of challenges confronted Disraeli's cabinet; mostly we will encounter pressure from the governments of Europe as the varied continental powers try to find some way to defuse the crisis in the East. Will Disraeli help or hinder their efforts? Let's find out, in this final episode of BGTW in 2015! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW we examine the steps Disraeli took to ensure British diplomatic predominance, and how they didn't really take off... Disraeli was faced with a morass of problems from late spring to autumn 1876, from ambitious Russians to wily Bismarcks, but even he could not have anticipated the sudden abrupt return of his nemesis on the public sphere, or the serious impact it would have on his policy.
Herein we examine in this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War) the complex series of events that led to a conference in Constantinople in December 1876. SPOILER - much of it has much to do with what Bismarck did. Find out more within, and thanksssss for stopping by!
Welcome to this episode of BGTW (Britain Goes To War)! Herein we examine the details of the Constantinople Conference, its interested parties, what was at stake, and why it failed. Let me know what you thought through the usual channels. Thankssss!
In this episode of BGTW we examine what happened immediately after war was declared, and how it seemed to some to suggest that a new war would soon be upon the British Empire, while to others it suggested that new efforts must be scrambled to ensure peace. The problem was, of course, that the individuals who possessed these views could be found in the same Cabinet, and used to be the best of friends. Thankssss and I hope you enjoy it!
n this episode of BGTW we examine the months of December 1877 and January 1878. Two months in which Cabinet unity and personal relationships were tested to their limits, where Salisbury's loyalties are fought over by Disraeli and Derby, and where on numerous occasions Britain looks set to lose its government for the sake of war which some insisted was essential, while others believed it was reprehensible. Hope you'll give it a listen - Thankssssssss!
In the first of a four part miniseries, BGTW takes a small detour here as we examine the reactions and speeches which were made in response to the Queen's speech on 17th January 1878. Herein we hear from heavy hitters Lord Hartington and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, among others, so I hope you'll join us for a special kind of focus! Thankssss!
In this second of our four parter mini-series examining the Houses' debates on 18th January 1878, we see Gladstone, Lord Montagu and a significant Irish MP raise their voices. Within are sly critiques of government policy, an urging to stand up for a forceful policy, and pleas to give Ireland the Parliament it deserves. The content is rich with historical goodness, so I hope that you enjoy it as part of a balanced historical diet. I don't know. Enjoy anyway history friends, thankssssss! And thanksss also to Mark Painter from the History of the Twentieth Century Podcast, for reminding us all how to BEFIT! Just do what he says (and check out his pod too!)
In this episode of BGTW we turn our focus to the House of Lords on 17/1/1878, where we hear from Earl of Granville, and bear witness to Disraeli orchestrating a massive revision of his Cabinet's history. Have a listen, and thanks again for all your support so far - you guys are the best!
In this final part of our closer examination of the speeches in the Houses of Parliament, we see the end of Disraeli's speech, a challenge from the Duke of Argyll and a declaration from Salisbury. It's all pretty revealing stuff! I also give you an update on how much money we've made so far, and we prepare the ground for the next episode when we're back to normal. Thanksssssss for all the support guys!
In this episode of BGTW we examine the worsening situation in Disraeli's Cabinet, and how Darby was forced to leave only to return, thanks to the PM's farce of a foreign policy. It's all here! Thankssssss for listening!
In this episode of BGTW, our coverage of the worsening Darby-Disraeli situation continues. Darby continues to be a one man show against the pro-war camp, but his reserves are beginning to run low as the Russians grow more testy and the smear campaign against him comes to a head. Check us out! Thankssssss :D
Welcome once again to another installment of Britain Goes To War - this week we take a look at the essential end of Lord Darby in the Foreign Office, and how, even despite all that he had been through, his mark on it and on British history was still profound. We hear from Darby himself in the House of Lords, as he concludes his career with a must-hear speech, and we set ourselves up for the conference which must come down the pipeline at any moment now, if only the darn Russians would agree to it! Thanksssss!
In this episode of BGTW we examine the Congress of Berlin at last! Disraeli's finest hour is at hand, but although even Bismarck gives into to the PM's wily charms, an undercurrent of trouble is at hand within the Empire which will in time burn everything down to the ground. This is the last episode before a brief hiatus until the end of the month of April 2016, upon which time we will hit you with something truly special - see you then!
At last, Sean and I sit down to discuss the last 24 episodes of Britain Goes to War in the relaxed, casual, often zany style that you guys (hopefully) love. It's a fun conversation; we delve into the major issues from the importance of Lord Darby to the contrasts between 1914 and Disraeli's government. It's an episode that's sort of hard to define, but we had a blast doing it, so I hope it'll be of use to you guys as we put our BGTW on hold for the mo and reflect on how far we've come so far. As usual, let me know what you all thought! Thanksssssss!
