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Engaging History

Engaging History

By Christopher Kinsella

Welcome to Engaging History, a podcast for curious people wanting to learn the how and why of human origins.
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Currently playing episode

Imperialism and The Spanish-American War

Engaging History Mar 31, 2022

00:00
30:55
The American Homefront in World War II

The American Homefront in World War II

Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the Second World War? Tune in to find out.


Mar 19, 202429:16
 Iran-Contra Scandal and Mikhail Gorbachev

Iran-Contra Scandal and Mikhail Gorbachev

Find out what happened wth the Iran-Contra Scandal and why it never blew up to be a “Watergate 2.0”. And who was Mikhail Gorbachev and did he sew the seeds for the demise of the Soviet Union?


Feb 12, 202430:56
President Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan

Meet the man from Tampico, Illinois who would become America’s oldest elected president up to that time. Listen in to find out what the 40th president meant when he would ask his advisers, “Do we have our glasses on?”

Dec 21, 202330:52
The Ford & Carter Administrations

The Ford & Carter Administrations

Find out why the 38th and 39th presidents found it so hard to govern and lead the country during the tumultuous 1970s. 


Dec 14, 202328:39
The Watergate Scandal

The Watergate Scandal

President Richard Nixon had many impressive accomplishments in his first term that led him not only to a landslide victory but also the first president to win 49/50 states! So what happened in an innocuous DC hotel that would lead to his downfall?

Dec 07, 202330:39
From President Johnson to President Nixon

From President Johnson to President Nixon

What happened in 1968 that not only caused President Johnson to bail out of the presidential race but also for the year to be considered the darkest one since World War II?


Nov 30, 202329:52
The Vietnam War (Part Three)

The Vietnam War (Part Three)

We conclude the discussion of the Vietnam War by discussing the actions of the Nixon and Ford administrations. I also reveal the total number of other countries that fell to communism as a result of the conflict. 


Nov 21, 202324:21
The Vietnam War (Part Two)

The Vietnam War (Part Two)

In this podcast episode, we focus solely on the Johnson administration. How could a president who won a landslide victory in 1964 have to withdraw from the presidential race just four years later?


Nov 02, 202330:21
The Vietnam War (Part One)

The Vietnam War (Part One)

Contrary to popular myth, American involvement in Southeast Asia did not start in the 1960s but rather more than a decade before. Why did America get involved in the first place? Tune in to find out.


Oct 26, 202327:15
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Administration

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Administration

In this episode, I discuss the major accomplishments and setbacks of the 36th American president.

Oct 19, 202324:37
The Kennedy Assassination

The Kennedy Assassination

Did Lee Harvey Oswald really act alone? And why do roughly 50% of Americans believe that Oswald did not act alone? Listen to find out.


Oct 12, 202330:45
The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis

It was October 1962 and after the three presidential disasters in the nascent Kennedy administration, photos confirmed that the Soviet Union was going to place nuclear missiles in Cuba. What were President Kennedy’s options and, ultimately, who “won” this riskiest of contests between two world leaders?


Oct 05, 202315:33
The Kennedy Administration

The Kennedy Administration

In this podcast, I return to the dark side of the 1950’s and early ’60s by reminding listeners that the Cold War is still raging and only intensifying - especially after the three disasters of the nascent Kennedy administration.


Sep 28, 202330:30
The 1950: Sports Cars and Rock & Roll

The 1950: Sports Cars and Rock & Roll

Tune in to learn about the world’s largest Earth-moving project in history that “paved” the way for the American sports car….and the new type of music that played from those cars’ speakers.


Sep 24, 202329:36
Nuclear Weapons Advancements

Nuclear Weapons Advancements

In this stand-alone podcast, I discuss the progression of nuclear weapons technology from Trinity to modern times. Explained are the popular acronyms such as ICBM’s, SLBM’s, and MIRV’s.


Aug 31, 202330:17
The Korean War and the Red Scare

The Korean War and the Red Scare

In this podcast, we discuss why America defended South Korea as well as why a five-star military hero was ultimately relieved of his command.


Aug 24, 202322:34
America and the Cold War

America and the Cold War

How did President Truman react to a world where America was the sole nuclear power? What’s more? How did the average American cope with the reality of the spread of nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war?


Aug 18, 202330:49
Onset of the Cold War

Onset of the Cold War

After World War II, there is no time gap before America finds itself mired down in a whole new war that, unfortunately, lasts decades. What was the Cold War and why couldn’t America end it sooner?

Aug 11, 202330:51
The End of World War II

The End of World War II

In this final podcast on the war, I examine the specific reasons why America won the conflict. I also discuss the Holocaust.

Jul 27, 202330:53
World War Two in the Pacific Theater

World War Two in the Pacific Theater

As America ramps up its efforts to defeat the Japanese, American soldiers are horrified to find out just how different the Japanese fight. Meanwhile, will the Manhattan Project be a success in testing the world’s first nuclear bomb? Tune in to find out.


Jul 20, 202327:49
D-Day

D-Day

After the long slog through North Africa and Italy, the Allies finally land a toe-hold in France, but at a horrible cost in human blood.


Jul 13, 202334:06
The American Homefront in World War II - Part Two

The American Homefront in World War II - Part Two

In this episode, we discuss more about the Manhattan Project as well as the building of the Pentagon.


Jul 06, 202330:52
Hitler Invades the Soviet Union

Hitler Invades the Soviet Union

In this episode, we discuss Operation Barbarossa - Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union. Learn how Hitler was the only human being to plan the largest pincer attack in world history. Yet at the same time, this is the beginning of Hitler’s undoing. Why? Tune in to find out.


Jun 11, 202330:56
World War Two Begins

World War Two Begins

Operation Case White and Operation Case Yellow are launched in this episode. By the end of this segment, what Hitler’s predececssors could not do in four years,  Hitler will do in four months.

Jun 01, 202330:56
Hitler’s Public Speaking Skills

Hitler’s Public Speaking Skills

In this podcast I discuss the elements that unfortunately made Hitler a master orator. Listen in and see if you can detect the ways that Hitler manipulated his audiences. 


May 23, 202330:33
World War II- Hitler: From Prison to NAZI Spokesman

World War II- Hitler: From Prison to NAZI Spokesman

Tune in to find out why Hitler ended up in jail and what he learned as a result.

Feb 19, 202330:20
Onset of World War II - Hitler in His Youth

Onset of World War II - Hitler in His Youth

In this first of many podcasts on the Second World War, we take a preliminary look at the early life of one of the deadliest dictators of that war, Adolph Hitler.

Feb 19, 202330:55
The End of the Great Depression

The End of the Great Depression

Does American president, Franklin Roosevelt really end the Great Depression, or horribly, might it have been something else? Press play to find out.

Feb 04, 202330:47
The great Depression Continues

The great Depression Continues

What exactly did President Franklin Roosevelt do to help bring America out of the Great Depression? Press “play” to find out.

Feb 04, 202330:51
The Great Depression

The Great Depression

Listen in as we find out what happened to America’s decade of prosperity and why the years of financial fortune was ultimately destined to fail.

Feb 04, 202330:52
The Roaring '20's

The Roaring '20's

In the decade that has more nicknames for it than any other decade in US history, we discuss what actually “roared” in America and why. We then explore what went wrong.

Sep 03, 202224:48
End of World War I

End of World War I

In this podcast, we conclude the First World War by discussing why America never signed the Paris Peace Treaties. And we end the podcast with a humbling review of what the United States did in order to honor the unidentifiable remains of our heroic war veterans.

Sep 03, 202230:34
World War I Continues

World War I Continues

Find out how America became involved in the war and meet the person who is only one of two generals in US history to be awarded six stars.

Sep 03, 202230:50
Introduction to Engaging History

Introduction to Engaging History

Listen here for an introduction to the hows and whys of history.

Sep 03, 202226:17
World War One Begins

World War One Begins

In this episode we discuss the beginning stages of World War One and what led to the conflict dropping an astonishing 5,000 lives a day for four years.

May 20, 202230:37
Setting the Stage for World War One

Setting the Stage for World War One

In this podcast, we discuss the reasons why the very element that was supposed to prevent any type of European conflict, actually caused it! What went wrong? Tune in to find out.

Apr 28, 202230:40
America's Relationship with Central and South America

America's Relationship with Central and South America

In this podcast we discuss why world leaders behave the way they do by discussing the theory of complex interdependence vs. the theory of realism. Which theory makes the most sense to you? Listen in to find out.

Apr 07, 202224:27
Imperialism and The Spanish-American War

Imperialism and The Spanish-American War

Tune in to learn what the four major reasons were for European, Asian and American imperialism and how that brought the United States to the brink of war with Spain.

Mar 31, 202230:55
Progressivism and the Titanic

Progressivism and the Titanic

Explore the government organizations born in the Progressive Era that are still with us today. And find out how industrialism led to the erroneous assumption that humankind was becoming indestructible as evidenced by the claim that “The Titanic is unsinkable.”

Mar 25, 202230:56
The Progressive Era and Teddy Roosevelt

The Progressive Era and Teddy Roosevelt

Find out who the Muckrakers were and why we still need them today. And why did Teddy Roosevelt, initially, have such a hard time trying to be president? Hint: Ask his wife - because she called him on it!

Mar 05, 202230:52
World History in the 2020’s

World History in the 2020’s

 In this final podcast in the second half of world history, I provide a brief review of world events as they are unfolding. Sadly, this means discussing the Russian-Ukrainian War.

Mar 05, 202222:35
The Fall of the Soviet Union

The Fall of the Soviet Union

In this podcast, we discuss the reasons for the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union and by extension, the end of the Cold War. We also discuss the 9-11 attacks and why “invisible terrorists” are not so invisible at all.

Feb 24, 202229:43
Secret Service, Congress and Federal Regulation

Secret Service, Congress and Federal Regulation

Find out what the real goal is of the Secret Service’s job of protecting the president really is. How can Congress help to make a president be ranked in the top, or the bottom, presidents of all time?

Feb 24, 202229:12
Reagan, Gorbachev, and the Cold War

Reagan, Gorbachev, and the Cold War

What was different about American President Regan and Soviet Premier Gorbachev that would lay the foundation for the end of the Cold War?

Jan 23, 202230:46
The American Presidency

The American Presidency

Is it true that Air Force One actually doesn’t exist?  And when the American president is in “the beast,” where exactly is he? Tune in to find out.

Jan 23, 202230:52
President vs. Presidency

President vs. Presidency

What is the difference between the American president and the Office of the Presidency?  That’s what we discuss in our first podcast on the American political system.

Dec 30, 202130:47
The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War

Why did the United States and its allies involve themselves in a small country on the other side of the world? What did Vietnam have that caused six American presidents to send over 500,000 American soldiers of which over 58,000 never died, as well as to spend trillions of dollars?

Dec 30, 202130:36
From Plantations to America’s Lighthouses

From Plantations to America’s Lighthouses

In this podcast, we look at life on an American plantation out west as well as what life was like for America’s lighthouse keepers.  Find out why lighthouses have so many peculiar patterns and why all of them have different signal patterns.

Dec 23, 202130:57
The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis

This podcast focuses on the foreign policy failures of the Kennedy Administration that ultimately led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Find out just how close the United States and the Soviet Union came to creating World War III which would have meant that World War IV would have been fought with sticks and stones.

Dec 23, 202130:42
Israel & The Korean War

Israel & The Korean War

 In this podcast, we discuss the creation of the country of Israel and how the conflict that became known as the Korean War played out in the era of the Cold War.

Dec 17, 202129:48