When Diplomacy Fails Podcast
A weekly podcast covering the build up to, breakout of and consequences of various conflicts in history.

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You guys are the best, so you deserve to know what's new and what's about to happen in the life of WDF as well as Zack's life too! Within this long-winded, but also very frank and surprisingly personal episode, you'll discover Zack's plans for the future in academia, exciting news about his Masters and the direction this podcast should go in. Whether you stick it out to the end or only listen to bits of it, I feel indebted to you listeners, and I feel like I owe you updates like these. Feedback is welcome - please be nice, I am sensitive at the moment... Thanksssss!

Direct download: State_of_the_Podcast_Address_26_11_2015.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 11:19pm UTC
Comments[2]

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 :)

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_vii.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
Comments[1]

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!

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_vi.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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!

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_v.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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In this episode of Britain Goes To War (BGTW) we take a brief look at the history of two very different resources; coal and opium, both of which had very distinct impacts on Britain in the early 19th century, with consequences that reverberated throughout the remainder of that era. Thanksssss!

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_iv.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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.

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_iii.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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.

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_ii.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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? 

Direct download: BGTW_2_a_i.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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!

Direct download: BGTW_1_c.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 1:00am UTC
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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.

Direct download: BGTW_1_b.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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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!

Direct download: BGTW_1_a.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
Comments[1]

Herein we conclude our analysis of the era by summarising our major findings and determining the level of importance that code of honour could justifiably be said to have had in 1914. I hope you enjoyed the miniseries! Please remember to BEFIT and stay tuned for more WDF goodness in the very near future! Thankssssss

Direct download: episode_6.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 3:30am UTC
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Our case study shines a light on Belgium and the surprising issues that faced those that argued for both war and peace. Interestingly, honour featured heavily in the arguments of both, and thus our analysis takes us yet deeper into the psyche of the statesman at the time.

Direct download: episode_5.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 1:00am UTC
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In this episode our focus takes us to the other side of the fence: those that favoured neutrality and wanted to avoid war at all costs for their varied reasons. We examine here how important the code of honour was to their stance and how it manfiested itself in their arguments and media.

Direct download: episode_4.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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Our study deepens as we examine the first major grouping: those that favoured war - the interventionists. We examine in this episode how honour imacted their arguments and reasoning, and whether it was actually as important a factor as some of the other, more well-known issues.

Direct download: episode_3.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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Herein we define what the code of honour meant to British statesmen in summer 1914, where it came from as a concept and how it became as important and ingrained on the sense of self and national identity. 

Direct download: episode_2.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 2:00am UTC
Comments[1]

Here we are with the first of my dissertation episodes, which forms one out of a six part miniseries. I hope you enjoy it! Here we intro the entire concept, and I provide you with some background on the ideas I am about to present before we launch into the actual 'Introduction' of the dissertation proper.

Direct download: episode_1.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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Sean joins me on the pod for a very special episode that looks at everything of note I've done recently. Wanna know what happened in London? Gallipoli? Or how the dissertation is going? Wanna know what the story is with that guy in the corner with the big orange head? Then by all means, history friend, listen in to our episode here. 3 Years in the making and 1 million downloads strong. I couldn't be happier and prouder of you all! Thankssssss!

Direct download: WDF_TALK_3YR-1M_Special.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 5:52pm UTC
Comments[1]

In this final episode of the Swedish Deluges (and of the first phase of Season 3!) we look at the campaign that faced Denmark and nearly erased it from the continent, but Europe was not about to let Charles Gustav have his cake and eat it... Have a listen and see what happens when you push public opinion too far and commit one deluge too many. Thanksss!

Direct download: SwedishDelugesPartV.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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Sweden prepares for its strike against the suicidal Danes, but before abandoning Poland it leaves just enough mess behind in Central Europe to keep its enemies busy for most of 1657... Thankssss!

Direct download: SwedishDelugesPartIV.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:00pm UTC
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The dramatic and incredible invasion of Poland by the Swedes that bore witness to its almost complete disintegration is examined here in full, covering the period of summer 1655 to early 1657. It is the longest episode released thus far, but when you listen to it you'll see why. The campaigns of the Swedes and their devastating impact were one issue, but how the rest of Europe reacted, from the Holy Roman Emperor to the Dutch Republic, was another issue entirely. Hope you enjoy this extended episode! Thankssss!

Direct download: SwedishDelugesPartIII.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
Comments[1]

This episode explains how Poland-Lithuania got to such a dreadful position by 1655. Its selfish nobles, ridiculous laws and troublesome Cossacks tore the heart out of the state, so that by the time Russia and Sweden looked upon it in 1655 it resembled only a shell of its former self. Check it out!

Direct download: SwedishDelugesPartII.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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Welcome to the next war! This time we look at the background behind the two empires that would perpatuate the beginning of what history terms the Second Northern War, or the Swedish Deluge (even though Sweden 'deluges' on another power within our wider narrative too!). Find out how Sweden did after 1648, how Cristina was getting on and what her kingdom's issues were. Find out also why Sweden's eternal enemy Poland was finding things so tough herself. Thanksssss!

Direct download: SwedishDelugesPartI.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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The concluding episode on the A-D War looks at the desperation on the Dutch side, as well as the fears harboured by Cromwell thanks to the Stuart and Orange families lurking in the background. His fears would compel him to strive for peace once his takeover was secure over the Commonwealth, but it would not be an easy road to the end of conflict for either side. Check it out, as we cover the final part of the Anglo-Dutch War! Thanksssssssss

Direct download: 1stAngloDutchWarPartIV.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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In our third part of the Anglo-Dutch War we examine the final issues that sparked off the war, and the opening salvos that suggested bad tidings for the Dutch, though at this early stage they had yet to grasp how bad things were yet to be. Check us out!

Direct download: 1stAngloDutchWarPartIII.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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In part II we examine in more detail the competition that existed between the English and Dutch across the world, as well as the incredible feats of economic engineering achieved by the Dutch that enabled them to reach their peak of trade and money after 1648. Thankssss for keeping up with the war!

Direct download: 1stAngloDutchWarPartII.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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We begin our post-Westphalia era with the First Anglo-Dutch War; within this episode, the first of four parts, we look at the background info that would eventually lead the two Republics to bang heads. Thankssssss!

Direct download: 1stAngloDutchWarPartI.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
Comments[2]

Who was doing what in a brief intro to the powers of the period, complete with catchy music and my gorgeous voice. Consider this your prologue to the coming stories that will constitute season 3!

Direct download: Season3Prologue.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 2:30am UTC
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We are BACK! After months of silence, WDF returns to the post-Westphalian Era. Here's everything you need to know about Zack, WDF and what is in store for you guys in Season 3!

Direct download: Season3Introduction.mp3
Category:History -- posted at: 12:30am UTC
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