Sat, 16 August 2014
We TALK at last! Sean and I sit down for a fun conversation about the July Crisis, how it went for me and if it really was that hard after all (it was!). Sean presents an interesting competition, and we officially wrap up the era in our usual style. We hope you like it!
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Fri, 8 August 2014
Here we rap up our analysis of events, and deliver a stunning verdict on what went on in the process
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Tue, 5 August 2014
The results of the mess of the July Crisis was worse than anyone could have imagined, as the war acquired its own aura and the events that preceded it were left behind and forgotten.
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Mon, 4 August 2014
How would Britain finally react to the news of what Germany had done? The same way everyone else had reacted to everything in the past week of course!
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Sun, 3 August 2014
Sir Edward Grey was delivering his speech to a packed meeting in the House of Commons, in which he hoped to bring British opinion around to intervention. Meanwhile, Germany was declaring war on France, and preparing to move against Belgium.
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Sat, 2 August 2014
How did Grey persuade Britain towards intervention? Or had he really done the job by the end of the day? The time was coming near for Britain to decide its stance.
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Fri, 1 August 2014
How did we get here and why don't we stop should have been the questions European statesmen asked themselves on 1st August 1914. Instead to them the peace was already lost, and all that remained was to jump into the abyss.
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Thu, 31 July 2014
How could the powers of Europe push through the recent diplomatic calamities? You'll be sorely dissappointed if you think they were at all capable of doing so...
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Wed, 30 July 2014
On 30th July Germany was reacting to the news that Russia had effectively been pulling the wool over its eyes for the past 5 days. As the last efforts to acquire peace came to nothing, Sazonov was attempting round 2 of mobilisation in St Petersburg...
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Tue, 29 July 2014
The aftermath of Austria's war declaration was felt across Europe, when the real intentions of all seemed to appear more and more clear. By the end of the day, it was clear to all where Europe was going.
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Mon, 28 July 2014
On 28th July, contrary to both their previously declared policy and common sense, A-H declared war on Serbia. Europe scrambled to understand what had just happened.
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Sun, 27 July 2014
How were the powers in Europe on so many different levels? The dissemination of information, barely considered in most histories of the event, was in fact a key point for all involved.
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Sat, 26 July 2014
On 26th July 1914 Sazonov met with numerous officials from foreign states. He said one thing to them while his country was doing another...
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Fri, 25 July 2014
How would Serbia react to the deadline now that they had Russian support? Could Britain do anything to dissuade the powers away from their respective courses? On a day that three states mobilised, was there any stopping anyone anymore?
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Thu, 24 July 2014
24th July greeted the Russian foreign minister as instantly busy. He had much to do...
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Wed, 23 July 2014
The process that landed Austria-Hungary in the position of delivering an ultimatum to Serbia has been covered in previous episodes, the details of the ultimatum and its delivery is covered here.
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Tue, 22 July 2014
Over the course of 20-23rd July 1914, the French President and the Russian Tsar met in a summit that had been many months in the making, but which happened to coincide with the plans of Habsburg statesmen back in Vienna...
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Sat, 19 July 2014
By the time of 19th July, the word of the ultimatum had already reached the majority of European capitals; yet, in Vienna, Habsburg ministers carried on blindly...
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Fri, 18 July 2014
On 15th July the French president and Prime Minister set off from Paris to join the Russian Tsar for a summit in St Petersburg on 20th July, herein we recount the journey.
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Wed, 16 July 2014
The story of how Russia came to be opposed against Germany and Austria is one you have heard many times. This time, we take a different tone, and suggest that Russia's old enemy may not have been as forgotten as some histories would have you believe...
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Mon, 14 July 2014
Armed with his pro-action arguments, the Austro-Hungarian foreign minister believed he had finally acquired the tools he could use to persuade the most ardent opposer of his plans: the Hungarian minister president...
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Sun, 13 July 2014
Picking up the pieces after the death of the Russian ambassador, the Habsburg foreign minister acquires evidence which he believes, will finally persuade the Hungarian minister president towards war.
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Thu, 10 July 2014
On 10th July, as Berchtold and Conrad attempted to overcome their own respective obstacles, an event occurred in Serbia which dramatically changed the atmosphere...
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Mon, 7 July 2014
On 7th July Austro-Hungarian statesmen met to discuss the previous events and formulate policy. The result was a fundamental transformation of how the Habsburgs planned on representing themselves in the coming days.
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Sat, 5 July 2014
On 5th-6th July the infamous 'blank cheque' was created in Berlin. Here we trace its origins and expel the myths that surround it.
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Thu, 3 July 2014
WW1 is a story incomplete without Austria-Hungary. Herein lies the tale of Habsburg decline, and should help explain the mind-set of its statesmen during the July Crisis.
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Mon, 30 June 2014
The background story as to why Austria so suspected Serbian involvement in the assassination cannot be understood unless one looks at the background of that Balkan state, which is what we seek to do here.
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Sun, 29 June 2014
How did the powers of Europe react to the news that Austria-Hungary's heir had been assassinated? The answer may surprise you...
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Sat, 28 June 2014
'The shot heard around the world' sparked the July Crisis; herein we examine it as a prologue to our wider project on the crisis itself.
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Fri, 27 June 2014
100 years ago our ancestors launched the First World War. Now it is time to examine their moves, mistakes, decisions and hopes in a day by day account of the month that preceded the war; the so-called July Crisis. Herein, I explain what my plan is for it, why I'm doing it and why you should be excited. A brand new project starts here, and in case you didn't know, I'm SUPER excited! Thanksssss!
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Sun, 22 June 2014
Finally, it's been a long time in the making, but we can at last bring you the final part of the WDF special on the TYW. Herein lies the tales that wrap up the most destructive, but also the most important, conflict in the 17th century. Here my thoughts and conclusions on the whole thing, as well as whole raft of thanksssss!
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Mon, 16 June 2014
We're back with our penultimate episode on the TYW! Within you'll find the final stages of the negotiations, especially those happening in 1646, as all involved try to leverage their way into a better position. Check it out!
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Fri, 6 June 2014
We continue our narrative here, as everyone decides what it will take to make them make love not war. The Ottomans make a cameo too! What's not to love? Thanks!
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Fri, 6 June 2014
So much happens in the years 1645-48 that I elected to split it into 4 more manageable episodes rather than 2 large ones. We jump into the first part here; we establish the major ideas that were going around at the time, and we introduce you to what everyone wanted and what tried to make everyone think they wanted. Thanks!
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Sat, 31 May 2014
Nobody told them that Westphalia was due to be signed in a few short years, so there's still plenty going on! Spain continues to shrivel up, while France desperately goes it alone thanks to Swedish preocupation with... well I won't spoil the surprise, you should just know that France and Sweden came a little bit prepared thanks to their requests to ____ to join in the war. Well you can't expect me to give it all away can you? Just listen! And thanksssssSSSSSSSSS
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Sat, 31 May 2014
Welcome back! Here we look at the years 1638-42; what everyone was doing and why. Of particular mention is the Spanish ruin in the face of its angry so-called friends, as well as the numerous meetings that would soon form the backbone of Westphalia. Eventually. THANKSSSSSSS!
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Fri, 11 April 2014
Back so soon? Today we look at the results of Nordlingen, how France justified war and how Sweden and the Dutch tried to hold on despite the new Imperial onslaught. Thanksss!
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Fri, 11 April 2014
Hello folks! Today we look at the situation in Europe following the death of Gustavus; Axe Ox's plans for Germany and the increasing comebacks of the Habsburgs. Thankssss
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Wed, 19 February 2014
Today we look at Gustavus' legend, imperial goings on and many other issues, as well as the diplomacy you all know and love. Take a bite of me and enojoy!
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Wed, 19 February 2014
History friends! Great to be back with our second double batch 3 weeks later. Today we examine the diplomacy like never before; everyone gets a look in, so sit back and relax as everyone talks very nicely for selfish reasons. Thanksss
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Wed, 29 January 2014
Part Two of 25.5 looks at Ferdinand's 'fruits of victory' within the HRE: the Edict of Restitution and the problems it was soon to pose. We then examine the changing diplomatic and strategic situation for the Habsburgs, and outline how the Dutch managed to reverse their fortunes. Thankssss.
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Wed, 29 January 2014
We're back in two parts! An even more ridiculously long title than before means that you're in for a good one as well! So sit back and relax as we look today at the machinations of Fredrick, who was still very much active from the Hague, while the Danes FINALLY make a move, and generalissimo Wallenstein emerges from Ferdinand's sleevey ace thing! Check it out! Thanksssss
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Mon, 13 January 2014
Surprise! Sean joins me for a TALK episode as we run through Europe's pressing issues up to around 1625. Take it for a spin if you want to fill in the gaps and revise in time for the heavy hitters coming your way soon! Thankssss
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Wed, 8 January 2014
Wow it's great to be back! Here we bring you up to speed on the years that would make the 30 years war; the building blocks of the conflict if you will! We see a Winter King, a broken Truce and a worsening geopolitical situation that Ferdinand in particular is getting ready to chow down on. Thanks (ssssssssssss).
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