History Analyzed
History Analyzed investigates both history's biggest moments and best kept secrets. Host Mark Palmer draws upon a history degree from the University of Notre Dame and decades of informal study. He explains not only what happened, but also why and how historical events occurred. At times, he examines how these events have shaped the present and continue to affect us today.
Episodes
The Oklahoma City Bombing – Domestic Terrorism
On April 19, 1995, an enormous bomb in a rental truck was parked outside of a Federal office building in Oklahoma City. At 9:02 AM, the homemade bomb exploded. It literally destroyed the front third of that building and killed 168 people (19 were children). The terrorists were 2 U.S. Army veterans. Find out why they did it and how they were caught - along with an explanation of the militia movemen
How 1850s Presidents Helped Cause the Civil War
A succession of terrible American presidents in the 1850s, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan, did so much to provoke the U.S. Civil War. Their disastrous policies exacerbated the sin of slavery to lead to the greatest catastrophe in American history.
World War II in Europe – a summary
This episode is a synopsis of the war in the European Theater of Operations. World War II was the biggest catastrophe in the history of the world. Between 1937 and 1945 an estimated 60 to 75 million people were killed. Enormous areas were destroyed. For those who know about certain events, this episode explains how the overall war in Europe occurred.
Amelia Earhart – Achievements and Disappearance
Amelia Earhart was the most famous female pilot in history. She was breaking the glass ceiling decades before anybody had coined that term. In the 1920s and 1930s she was setting records - not just for women, but for everybody. In 1937, she and her navigator Fred Noonan tried to circumnavigate the Earth. After making it most of the way around the world, on July 2, 1937, they disappeared someplace
The Contradictions of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence; he was a driving force in America's religious freedoms and the separation of church and state; and he doubled the size of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase. He also owned approximately 600 people in his lifetime. This episode explores his great achievements, as well as the failings in his personal life, particularl
Crossover Episode with History Daily: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Instead of a regular History Analyzed episode, we are doing a crossover with another podcast: History Daily. Every weekday, History Daily presents a "this day in history"; meaning they explore a momentous event that happened on that date. This episode covers one of the greatest speeches by any American: the Gettysburg Address. You can find History Daily on all podcast apps or simply go t
The Electoral College – the Peculiar Way the U.S. Selects a President
Because of the Electoral College, individual Americans do not directly vote for their president. This episode explores: what is the Electoral College; why slavery was the main reason for this system; some bizarre and undemocratic election results; an analysis of whether the Electoral College is a fair system; and the structure of the Federal government.
The Hindenburg
On May 6, 1937, the hydrogen filled zeppelin known as the Hindenburg exploded as it was landing in New Jersey. Surprisingly, 62 of the 97 people on board survived. Experts still argue as to what caused an airship the size of the Titanic to be destroyed in approximately 34 seconds.
The Spanish-American War
For a few months in 1898, the United States was at war with Spain. This essentially marked the end of the Spanish Empire and the beginning of the U.S. as a world power. As a result of this brief war, Theodore Roosevelt became president, Cuba became an independent country, Puerto Rico and Guam became American territories, and the U.S. occupied the Philippines for 48 years. That occupation led to th
D.B. Cooper and the Golden Age of Skyjacking
On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper (later known as D.B. Cooper) boarded a Northwest Orient flight from Portland to Seattle. He told the flight attendant that he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 in cash and 4 parachutes. His demands were met. Over a dense forest in a rainstorm, he parachuted out of the plane with the money, was never seen again, and became a legend.
Johannes Gutenberg's Printing Press Created the First Information Age
Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press. The mass production of books and other printed texts revolutionized the world. Gutenberg created a transformation in knowledge acquisition and communication. This kicked off the first information age. The printing press had a bigger effect on the world than the computer or the internet.
Anne Frank, the Wannsee Conference, and the Holocaust
Anne Frank is one of the most widely read authors in history, although she did not live to see the publication of her book. Anne was a German teenager who happened to be Jewish as well. She and her family spent 2 years in seclusion in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne's diary describes the horrors of hiding from the Nazis - before eventually being sent to concentration camps. The Wannsee Co
The Assassinations of Presidents Garfield and McKinley
The deaths of presidents James Garfield and William McKinley are unjustly overlooked. Garfield's assassin thought he was acting on orders from God. Garfield did not die from the assassin's bullet but from the incompetence of his doctors. His successor, Chester Arthur, may have been born in Canada and ineligible to be president. McKinley was killed as part of the anarchist movement which
The Great Depression and the New Deal
The Great Depression was the worst economic crisis in U.S. history. Starting in 1929 there was widespread unemployment, poverty, and closing of businesses. The economy continued to spiral downward until 1933 when Franklin Roosevelt became president. His recovery program, known as the New Deal, put millions of people to work, saved millions from homelessness and starvation, rebuilt America's i
The Cuban Missile Crisis – Armageddon Narrowly Avoided
For 13 days in October 1962 the world was at the closest point in history to a nuclear war. A confrontation between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. over nuclear missiles in Cuba brought humankind to the abyss and the unthinkable: World War III.
The Fall of France 1940
At the start of World War II, France was still a world power. The U.S. and many other nations were relying on the French, along with their ally Britian, to stop Hitler. But in just 6 weeks in May and June 1940, the Germans conquered France, Belgium, and The Netherlands; and drove the British off of continental Europe. The incredibly swift German victory completely changed the balance of power in t
The Titanic – Myths vs. Facts
Just about everybody knows the story. A supposedly unsinkable ship hit an iceberg and sank, proving the folly of humans. But there are many facts which are not widely known as well as prevalent myths which need to be debunked. Learn what really happened, what caused the disaster, and who were the heroes and who were the villains.
The Civil Rights Movement in the United States
After the Civil War, it took a century of protests, boycotts, demonstrations, and legal challenges to end the Jim Crow system of segregation and legal discrimination. Learn about the brave men, women, and children that risked their personal safety, and sometimes their lives, in the quest for Black Americans to achieve equal rights.
The Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 and doubled the size of the United States. This set America on its expansion, known as Manifest Destiny, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This episode explores the history of colonization of North America, how the U.S. expanded, why Napoleon sold Louisiana, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and what would have happened if the Louis
Caesar Augustus
Augustus is the most significant nonreligious figure in history. He is probably the greatest political genius of all time. He created the Roman Empire which lasted for centuries and formed so much of the world we live in today, including our calendar, our system of time, our alphabet, the spread of Christianity, and a large percentage of modern languages.
Unconditional Surrender was the Correct Policy in World War II
The Western Allies' demand that the Axis Powers unconditionally surrender was essential to keep the Soviets and the Chinese in the war while enduring incredible losses, to keep up the morale of the western allies, and to achieve the elimination of the Nazi regime and reforming Japanese society.
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were Depression Era outlaws who are just known by their first names. They have been romanticized as young lovers who stood by each other and lived life on their own terms. But in reality, Clyde was a thief and a murderer and Bonnie was his willing accomplice. For just over two years they went on a crime spree in the early 1930s robbing and killing. They were finally
Immigration, Citizenship, and Eugenics in the U.S.
For years all immigrants were allowed into the U.S., but some could not become citizens. Later, certain nationalities were limited or completely banned from entering the U.S. This episode outlines those changes through the 1980s and discusses the pseudoscience of eugenics and how it was used to justify such bigotry and even involuntary sterilizations in the 20th Century.
The Scramble For Africa
Within 30 years in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Europe went from controlling 20% of Africa to 90%. It was called "the Scramble for Africa". Find out why Europeans colonized the Americas easily through unintentional germ warfare, but Africa was "the White Man's Grave". Discover how Europe finally conquered Africa; the horrors of the Congo; and the residual problems in Af
Adolf Hitler was the most consequential (and horrible) person of the last 500 years
Adolf Hitler's insane and evil policies changed the world more than anybody since Christopher Columbus. This episode details the horrors of World War II; explains how Hitler is to blame for the war; illustrates how Hitler made WWII even worse than other wars; and analyzes the effects of WWII for the remainder of the 20th Century and today.
Gettysburg — the Pivotal Battle of the American Civil War
It was the bloodiest battle ever in the Western Hemisphere. For 3 days in July 1863 Americans slaughtered each other on a terrible scale around a small town in Pennsylvania, where the honored dead "gave the last full measure of devotion".Find out why Robert E. Lee invaded the north, and why he failed so terribly; why the civil war dragged on for almost two more years after this union vic
Galileo Galilei vs. the Church
Galileo is considered the father of modern science. His discoveries included the laws of pendulums which led to the development of the first accurate clocks. But tragically, he was tried by the Inquisition of Rome for heresy. The science deniers of the Church threatened to burn him at the stake unless he recanted his claims that he could prove that Copernicus was right: that the Earth is not the c
The Arsenal of Democracy — U.S. Industry Was the Biggest Factor in World War II
A lot of elements contributed into winning World War II: Britain refusing to make peace with Nazi Germany after the fall of France along with the Chinese and Soviets willingness to suffer millions of deaths. But World War II was a war between the factories; whichever side could produce the most military equipment would win. The deciding factor in World War II was the fantastic industrial output of
Polio — Jonas Salk and Franklin Roosevelt
Polio was one of the scourges of the 20th century. And it mainly struck children. All of a sudden a person contracted polio and suffered terribly for several days; sometimes they recovered, sometimes they died, and sometimes they were left permanently disabled. The most famous polio victim of all time, Franklin Roosevelt, hid his disability from the public. But this story has a true hero: Jonas Sa
The Vietnam War: 1964-1973
Wars are never solely military questions. They always involve politics and the will of the people. This episode outlines America's war in Vietnam and explains why the U.S. lost, including the limitations imposed by the American public and the realities of the Cold War.
How America Stumbled into Vietnam
The story of the Vietnam War usually starts with President John Kennedy being assassinated and new President Lyndon Johnson getting the U.S. into a long, unwinnable war from 1964 through 1973. This episode explores what happened before that war: the collapse of the French colony of Indochina, why Vietnam was split into 2 countries of North Vietnam and South Vietnam, why the communists tried to tak
Vikings!
The Vikings are history's best example of an irresistible force. They were raiders from Scandinavia that pillaged and slaughtered across much of Europe. They founded Iceland, lived in Greenland, and were the first Europeans in North America. They changed Britain and most of mainland Europe. Find out what made them so formidable and how they reshaped the western world.
McCarthyism — Political Witch-hunts and the Red Scare
In the 1950s, U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a hunt for Communists in the American government. His brand of persecution based on lies, rumors, and innuendos ruined many lives but did not send a single subversive to jail. He set the standard for politicians who wish to be bullies and demagogues.
Pompeii — the World's Greatest Time Capsule
In the year 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii. We have an eyewitness account describing the horrors of an event which certainly seemed like the end of the world. The volcanic ash preserved the city for centuries. Now most of Pompeii has been excavated and we can see how the ancient Romans lived.
Lincoln was the #1 Reason the Union Won the Civil War
There are many reasons why the Union won the American Civil War: the brilliance of Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman as generals, the much larger population in the free states, and the industrial capacity of the North. But the number 1 reason the Union won was Abraham Lincoln. His governing style, his fantastic temperament, and his political genius tipped the balance.
Pearl Harbor — Japan's Biggest Mistake of World War II
On December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. What appeared to be a stunning success actually spelled the end of Japan's dreams of empire and led to the defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II.
The Donner Party — Cannibalism in California
In 1846, a wagon train which became known as the Donner Party was headed to California. They became trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and resorted to eating those who died. Out of 87 people only 46 survived.
PT-109: JFK becomes a hero in WWII
On August 2, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rammed and cut in half an American PT boat captained by a young John F. Kennedy. Due to the determination of JFK, the bravery of his crew, the assistance of some Solomon Islands natives, and some good luck, most of the PT-109 crew survived.
Ferdinand Magellan and the First Voyage Around the World
In 1519 Magellan set sail with five ships to find a southwest passage — a strait through South America. Three years later, only one ship returned to Spain with just 18 of the original 240 men. They had sailed around the entire earth. The voyage was eventful with mutinies, scurvy, battles, and many discoveries.
Prohibition created Al Capone and fueled the Roaring '20s
The 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol within the U.S., might be the best example of unintended consequences. Prohibition helped start women's liberation, propelled the Jazz Age, and essentially created Organized Crime in the U.S.
Hannibal vs. Rome: The Punic Wars
Most people only know one thing about Hannibal — that he brought elephants over the Alps to attack Rome. But there is so much more to the story. Carthage and Rome fought three wars over a period of 118 years to determine who would become the dominant people in the Mediterranean. Hannibal's loss led directly to the Romans being the ones to shape Western civilization and the modern world.
Watergate
Most people know that Watergate was the biggest scandal in American history but few know many details. Listen to what actually occurred at the Watergate complex, how it was only part of a much broader campaign of corruption, and why Richard Nixon became the only U.S. president to resign from office.
Gavrilo Princip Ignites World War I
On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip shot the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hear how this assassination sparked World War I, ended four empires, created many new countries, and led to World War II.
Wyatt Earp and the Shootout at the O.K. Corral
Hear how famous lawman Wyatt Earp and his best friend Doc Holliday became legends of the Wild West and inspired many of the cliches and movies you know today.
The Berlin Wall
For 28 years the Berlin Wall stood as a testament to the cruelties and failures of communism. While Berlin became the epicenter of the Cold War, West Berlin became an island of freedom behind the Iron Curtain. Hear why Germany was divided into two separate countries and how it finally reunited.
Hell on Earth: The Black Death
What would it be like to witness the end of the world? Europeans in the 1340s reasonably believed they were seeing the apocalypse. In only 4 years, the Black Death killed approximately half the population. Find out what caused this plague, and what people did to try to survive.
Iconic American City Landmarks
Everybody is familiar with the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, the Hollywood sign, the Gateway Arch, and the Space Needle. But do you know the stories behind these landmarks and how they tie into the histories of their cities?
The 1936 Berlin Olympics
Find out why the Olympics Games were hosted by the world's worst regime. Hear how track and field star Jesse Owens won multiple gold medals, destroying the Nazi theories of racial superiority and humiliating Adolf Hitler in the process.
The California Gold Rush
Starting in 1848, hundreds of thousands of people made the treacherous journey to California seeking easy riches. Hear how the Gold Rush not only created the state of California, but also changed the U.S. in unforeseen ways and even contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Hernan Cortes Conquers the Aztec Empire
In 1519 Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes landed in what is now Mexico with less than 600 men and conquered an empire with millions of people in two years. Hear about the Aztec's sophisticated city of Tenochtitlan, their religion based upon human sacrifice, and explore the fate of their civilization and Emperor Montezuma.
The Atomic Bomb (part 2) - Arguments For and Against Its Use Against Japan
This episode explores the arguments for and against the use of the atomic bombs on Japan. Part 1 explains why and how the atomic bomb was created as well as how it was utilized on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Atomic Bomb (part 1) - Development and Utilization 1939 to 1945
This episode explains why and how the atomic bomb was created as well as how it was utilized on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Part 2 explores the arguments for and against the use of the atomic bombs on Japan.
The Horrors of the Salem Witch Trials
Learn about the true story that inspired the legends. Find out what caused the people of Salem to accuse their neighbors of witchcraft in 1692 and how many died as a result of so-called spectral evidence.
The Tragedy of the Dust Bowl
Often overshadowed by the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl was the worst man-made ecological disaster of the 20th century. Poor farming practices led to this catastrophe, which caused thousands of deaths and ravaged millions of lives. Discover how FDR's New Deal helped save the southern plains region.
The Origin of The Star-Spangled Banner
You probably know that Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner, but why did he write it? What do the lyrics mean? Learn about the Battle for Fort McHenry, the War of 1812, and what became of the famous flag that inspired the American national anthem.
The Irish Potato Famine
In the 1840s a blight hit Ireland, destroying the staple crop of the Irish peasants: the potato. As a result, Ireland lost approximately one third of its population to starvation and emigration. Essentially a British colony at the time, the natural disaster in Ireland was compounded by British incompetence and indifference.
the Monitor vs. the Virginia (formerly the Merrimack)
The epic first battle between ironclad ships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack), revolutionized naval warfare forever. Learn about the genius of John Ericsson, who invented the revolving turret for cannons and the screw propeller, and how his innovations helped save the Union in the U.S. Civil War.
James Polk is America’s Most Overlooked President
In his one term as president, James Polk added more territory to the U.S. than any other American. He should be on the money. But we choose to ignore him. Find out why we forget about the man who gave us the territories that now comprise California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
The Fight for Women's Suffrage
After seven decades of protests, petitions, and civil disobedience, the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Learn about Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and the countless other women who fought against a deeply sexist and patriarchal society for women's suffrage.
Why MacArthur Is the Most Overrated General in U.S. History
Although those in command at Pearl Harbor lost their commands after the attack, Douglas MacArthur, the commanding U.S. Army officer in the Philippines, got off scot-free. He was even warned in advance that the Japanese would attack, but still did nothing and suffered the worst defeat in American military history. This episode unpacks the many errors and bloody mistakes lurking beneath his popular
The Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth
You may already know that John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. But did you know that it was part of a larger conspiracy to also kill Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward? Find out about his co-conspirators and what happened after that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre, including the epic 12-day manhunt for Booth.
The Space Race
61 years ago, John F. Kennedy famously promised to land a man on the moon within one decade, but why was there a race to the moon anyway? Get your questions about the space race answered and discover little known facts. For example, many don't realize that a former Nazi rocket scientist was the main contributor to America's satellite and moon program, or that the USSR led the race until
How Columbus Changed the World
Love him or hate him, Christopher Columbus has influenced the world more than anybody in the past 1,000 years. His actions set into motion many significant events - the spread of the Spanish language and Catholicism, enormous migrations of people, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and five centuries of European colonialism.
The Cold War Heats Up in Korea
Outside of M*A*S*H reruns, the Korean War is largely forgotten by the American public. This episode explores the history of the Korean War and why it occurred. It also delves into key players on both sides of the war, such as Truman, MacArthur, Mao, Stalin, Kim Il-sung, Syngman Rhee, and more!
Civil War Generals Throwdown - Ulysses S. Grant vs. Robert E. Lee
For over 160 years, people have asked who was the better general - Ulysses S. Grant or Robert E. Lee? It's time to put this debate to rest by comparing their military strategies, successes, and failures in the Civil War.
Cleopatra
Forget what you've seen in movies and discover the real history of Cleopatra! Her affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony are only the tip of the iceberg. Learn how she rose to power in a male-dominated world, ruled Egypt, and left her mark on history.
Time Zones
Have you ever wondered how, when, and why, time zones were invented? Well, here are the answers. As a bonus, this episode explores how comparing local time to Greenwich Mean Time enabled ships to locate their longitude.
A Defense of Neville Chamberlain
Neville Chamberlain has been ridiculed for the 1938 Munich Agreement between Britain and France on one side and Nazi Germany on the other. Instead of being derided, Chamberlain should be praised. Chamberlain tried to avoid a world war. He failed, but a least he tried. And, even though he did not completely avoid World War II, his actions ensured that Britain did not lose the war. Britain remaining
JFK Assassination part 2
It’s time to debunk the conspiracy theories! Lee Harvey Oswald killed President John F. Kennedy and acted alone. Part 1 covers the events of November 22-24, 1963, from Oswald holing up in the Texas School Book Depository to Jack Ruby’s assassination of Oswald, and starts to systematically discredit the main conspiracy theories with direct evidence. Part 2 dismantles the remaining conspiracy theori
JFK Assassination part 1
It’s time to debunk the conspiracy theories! Lee Harvey Oswald killed President John F. Kennedy and acted alone. Part 1 covers the events of November 22-24, 1963, from Oswald holing up in the Texas School Book Depository to Jack Ruby’s assassination of Oswald, and starts to systematically discredit the main conspiracy theories with direct evidence. Part 2 dismantles the remaining conspiracy theori
Jesse James
This episode chronicles the Western outlaw career of Jesse James and the James-Younger gang, from bank heists and train robberies to the Northfield Raid and Robert Ford’s betrayal.
Slavery Caused the Civil War. Period.
Despite what many modern day discussions would have you believe, the Civil War was about one thing and one thing only – slavery. This episode examines the many ways that the disagreement over slavery between the North and South led to the Civil War. It also refutes once and for all the idea that states rights was the instigating factor.
