History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

Turpentine
  • 4.3 (98)
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History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

Rudyard Lynch, creator of the enormously popular YouTube channel WhatifAltHist joins Austin Padgett every week to offer a deeper understanding of critical moments in history. Together they identify patterns in order to predict the future and understand the dynamics that result in civilizations rising and falling. We cover WW1, WW2, Classical Greece, Medieval Islam, the rise of Communism, and more. History 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

  1. Explaining the British Empire

    2D AGO

    Explaining the British Empire

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett examine the British Empire as history's largest colonial enterprise, analyzing its evolution from America-focused beginnings to India-centered expansion. hey consider the empire's contradictions—brutal exploitation alongside institutional development—while drawing connections between imperial strategies and modern geopolitical realities that continue to shape our world. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE | BREX More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive Ready to take your startup to the next level? Visit https://www.brex.com/grow to join the 30,000+ companies already streamlining their finances with Brex. Get high-yield banking, smart expense management, and scalable financial tools designed specifically for founders who want to focus on building, not bookkeeping. -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION Global Scale and Impact: How the British Empire became history's largest empire, spanning every continent and time zone, with a disproportionate influence on global development. First vs. Second Empire: The transition from the "First British Empire" (focused on America) to the "Second British Empire" (centered on India) after 1763. Colonial Diversity: The varied approaches to colonization across Ireland, America, India, and Africa, showing different colonial strategies. India as Empire Center: How India became the heart of the Second British Empire, with 80% of the empire's population and strategic importance that shaped British global policy. Naval Dominance: Britain's success as a "water empire" built on naval supremacy and strategic control of ports and shipping routes worldwide. Cultural Exchange: The complex cultural influences flowing both ways, with Britain shaping colonies while being transformed by its imperial experience. Economic Evolution: The British Empire's foundation in trading companies and capitalism before transitioning to greater governmental control. Anticlimactic End: How World War I and II led to Britain's decline and the relatively peaceful dissolution of most of the empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 55m
  2. Explaining Victorian Britain

    5D AGO

    Explaining Victorian Britain

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett discuss Victorian Britain as a pivotal historical era characterized by unprecedented innovation, social change, and global influence. They analyze how a small nation drove massive technological and intellectual developments while balancing competing societal forces - scientific rationalism versus romanticism. This episode examines Victorian cultural values, industrialization's impacts, and how this era constructed modern institutions before ultimately collapsing with World War I, suggesting parallels between Victorian challenges and contemporary societal tensions. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS Innovation from a Small Nation: How Victorian Britain sparked disproportionate global innovation through scientific, technological, and philosophical breakthroughs. Competing Forces: The tension between utilitarian/scientific thinking versus romantic/subjective elements in Victorian society. Industrial Transformation: Britain's evolution from rural to urban life and the resulting social and economic impacts. Institutional Foundations: How Victorian economic and cultural institutions were later built upon by the 20th century "managerial state." Challenging Stereotypes: Reassessing common perceptions of Victorians as prudish and emotionless. Navigating Social Tensions: Britain's successful approach to reform that prevented revolution. The World War I Endpoint: How the Great War destroyed Victorian social trust and optimism. Historical Parallels: Connections between Victorian challenges and contemporary societal issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 33m
  3. Explaining the Age of Exploration

    MAR 18

    Explaining the Age of Exploration

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett examine the Age of Exploration, analyzing how European powers united previously isolated civilizations through maritime expansion. The hosts balance intellectual curiosity about explorers' remarkable achievements with critical reflections on conquest's darker aspects, revealing how this pivotal era fundamentally reshaped human history. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 40m
  4. Explaining African Colonialism

    MAR 13

    Explaining African Colonialism

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett present a conservative critique of the lasting social, cultural, and economic changes that emerged from the 1960s, with particular focus on how these changes continue to shape modern American society. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION: Africa's Geography and Disease Environment: Africa's massive size is emphasized (larger than China, America, India, and Western Europe combined) The equatorial regions had devastating diseases (malaria, yellow fever, sleeping sickness) that limited population density European colonizers faced 80% mortality rates in regions like Nigeria due to these diseases Pre-Colonial African Context: Muslim kingdoms and trade networks existed across the Sahel region for centuries before European colonization Arab traders and Omani empire controlled the east coast of Africa Africa had significantly lower population density than Europe until modern medicine arrived Phases of European Colonization: Early phase (1500s-1850s): Primarily coastal forts for slave trading and resupplying Scramble for Africa (1880s-1910): Rapid carving up of the entire continent Most of Africa was colonized for a relatively short period (roughly 60 years) Economic Reality of Colonialism: European powers invested more in Africa than they extracted economically Only a few colonies (South Africa, Togo) were profitable Africa represented less than 1% of British foreign trade at colonialism's peak Different Colonial Approaches: British: Prioritized self-governance, local institutions, and law French: Focused on cultural assimilation and equality through French identity Belgians: Emphasized social development after the Leopold atrocities Portuguese: Maintained more exploitative practices South Africa as a Special Case: Developed as a settler colonial society similar to Australia/Canada Conflict between British and Boers (Dutch settlers) Discussion of apartheid and its legacy Post-Colonial Challenges: Artificial borders created by European powers causing ongoing conflicts Resource extraction infrastructure designed to take wealth out of Africa First generation of post-colonial leaders trained in Western universities with socialist ideologies Legacy and Future Prospects: Discussion of how British colonial institutions provided some advantages over other colonial systems Africa's potential to develop new forms of civilization due to not being constrained by historical patterns The role of Christianity in Africa's future development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 39m
  5. Explaining the 1960s

    MAR 3

    Explaining the 1960s

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett present a conservative critique of the lasting social, cultural, and economic changes that emerged from the 1960s, with particular focus on how these changes continue to shape modern American society. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS: Historical Significance of the 1960s The hosts position the 1960s as the most culturally important decade in Western history, comparable to how the 1910s (with World War I) defined 20th century politics They describe the cultural shift as being "on the scale of the foundation of a new religion" that has never been honestly examined The Managerial Class and Bureaucratization Discussion of how bureaucracy gained sociological dominance during this period Analysis of how bureaucracy standardizes people, crushes ethnic differences, and stands against organic traditions and religion Economic and Social Changes The prosperity of post-WWII America creating conditions for social experimentation The turning point of 1971 (leaving the gold standard) and subsequent economic stagnation How regulations led to corporate consolidation (from top companies controlling 20% of markets in the 1960s to 80% today) Cultural Revolution and Its Consequences The birth control pill as a transformative technology comparable to the atom bomb How the 1960s counterculture became the establishment, with those who were once rebels now enforcing conformity The Black Community and Civil Rights Complex analysis of how the black community changed after the 1960s Discussion of pre-1960s black economic advancement and family structure The Civil Rights Movement's success in ending Jim Crow but discussion of unintended consequences Spirituality and Consciousness How psychedelics influenced modern culture and art Discussion of Eastern religions' influence and how they were often misinterpreted Generational Analysis Critical examination of "boomerism" as a comprehensive worldview How the social shifts of the 1960s were primarily driven by elite university students but eventually spread throughout society The hypocrisy of generational values shifting based on self-interest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 36m
  6. Explaining the 1950s

    FEB 24

    Explaining the 1950s

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett analyze the 1950s challenges common narratives, exploring how post-WWII trauma, technological advancement, and social transformation shaped modern Western society. Through detailed historical analysis, they deconstruct popular misconceptions about the era's conservatism, examining its complex relationship with materialism, bureaucracy, and cultural change. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Second Opinion Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS: Post-WWII Society & Psychology The 1950s represented profound psychological changes after WWII trauma The WWII generation coddled their children (the boomers) to shield them from hardship Society had unprecedented prosperity but underlying nihilism Nuclear warfare anxiety significantly shaped the era's mindset Government & Institution Changes Massive expansion of state power and bureaucracy Creation of key federal institutions (FBI, CIA) High tax rates (90% top rate, though with many loopholes) Shift in executive branch power due to nuclear age requirements Cultural Identity Not as traditionally conservative as commonly portrayed More materialistic and state-oriented than previous eras Marked the beginning of "blue pill" era - a society based on platitudes Women's roles were uniquely constrained compared to previous eras Global Context America became the dominant global cultural force Western Europe's decline as a cultural power Formation of the European Union under American influence Beginning of decolonization movements Social Structure Highest standard of living in human history to that point Strong social mobility and relative equality Unprecedented urban population shift Cultural standardization through television and mass media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 28m
  7. Explaining the Origins of Science

    FEB 19

    Explaining the Origins of Science

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett examine science's historical development, challenging conventional narratives by tracing its roots in Christian philosophy and ancient traditions. The hosts analyze how empirical methodology transformed into modern "scientism," arguing that contemporary society has abandoned true scientific inquiry for ideology-driven selectivity, placing these intellectual shifts within broader historical patterns of knowledge systems. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS: Science developed from Christian philosophy and ancient traditions rather than in opposition to them The Catholic Church historically funded and supported scientific development before later tensions arose Different civilizations throughout history had fundamentally different worldviews than modern Western perspectives Modern society practices "scientism" (using scientific language selectively to justify predetermined beliefs) rather than actual science Science works best as an arbitration method but struggles with contextual understanding and moral questions Hermeticism and mystical traditions played a significant role in early scientific thought that's often overlooked The separation of religion from science was a historical development rather than an inherent opposition Modern institutions frequently claim scientific authority while actually operating on ideological premises Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m
  8. Explaining the Iron Age

    FEB 12

    Explaining the Iron Age

    In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett discuss how the adoption of iron weapons and tools democratized warfare, disrupted Bronze Age aristocracies, and facilitated new social structures and philosophical movements. They analyze parallel developments in Greece, Persia, India, and China, examining how iron technology catalyzed cultural changes, religious innovations, and new forms of governance between roughly 1200-200 BCE. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia HIGHLIGHTS: Iron Age Context Followed Bronze Age collapse (~1000 BCE) Iron was more abundant and accessible than bronze Democratized warfare and society Military Impact Enabled cheaper armor and better infantry weapons Undermined aristocratic chariot warfare Empowered frontier societies Cultural Changes Sparked major philosophical/religious movements Rise of Greek philosophy, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism Led to "Axial Age" innovations Geographic Spread Similar developments across Eurasia Parallel changes in Greece, Persia, India, China New empires rose as old ones fell Social Evolution Development of monetary systems Rise of merchant classes Created tension between traditional and commercial values Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 31m
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4.3
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About

Rudyard Lynch, creator of the enormously popular YouTube channel WhatifAltHist joins Austin Padgett every week to offer a deeper understanding of critical moments in history. Together they identify patterns in order to predict the future and understand the dynamics that result in civilizations rising and falling. We cover WW1, WW2, Classical Greece, Medieval Islam, the rise of Communism, and more. History 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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