A History of Europe, Key Battles

27/07/2025

At the end of the First World War, Ukraine was caught between a rock and a hard place - attempting to gain independence from Russia (after the Tsarist Empire collapsed and the Bolsheviks took over) but having also to fend off attacks from Germany/Central Powers. On one of the ironies of history, at the same time as Russia recaptured Kiev, a Brest-Litovsk treaty specific to Ukraine (also known as the Bread Peace) was signed (9th Feb 1918) whereby Lenin allowed an independent Ukraine, albeit under German influence

More about this important period of European history at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-history-of-europe-key-battles/id788893946

25/07/2025

Out now! The new Bolshevik regime quickly gains control of most of former Russia Empire, but meets stiff resistance in the periphery including Finland, Caucasus, Ukraine, and the Baltic States.

The Bolsheviks signs a peace treaty with Germany at Brest-Litovsk and withdraw from the First World War

Listen to 77.2 Russian Civil War, Beginning from A History of Europe. The new Bolshevik regime quickly gains control of most of former Russia Empire, but meets stiff resistance in the periphery including Finland, the Caucasus and Ukraine.They sign a peace treaty with Germany at Brest-Litovsk and wit...

18/07/2025

A History of Europe podcast is back!

14/07/2025

4 days to got until the new series - The Interwar Years

07/07/2025

Battle of Lake Peipus 1242, Teutonic Knights vs Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod

The Battle of Lake Peipus or 'The Battle on the Ice' was fought on 5th April 1242 between a coalition of western crusaders led by the Teutonic Knights against an army from Novgorod, Russia, led by Alexander Nevsky. The conflict was made famous by a Soviet film of 1938 directed by Sergei Eisenstein.

This is the fifth and final part of a set of episodes on the Medieval Baltic and the Northern Crusades

Listen to 76.5 Battle of Lake Peipus 1242, Teutonic Knights vs Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The Battle of Lake Peipus or 'The Battle on the Ice' was fought on 5th April 1242 between a coalition of western crusaders led by the Teutonic Knights against an army fr...

21/06/2025

Out now! The conquest of Livonia 1185-1238

Livonia in the 12th century was threatened by invasion from all sides; Danes, Swedes, Germans, Poles and Russians. Key events in the episode;

1201 - Founding of Riga (capital of modern day Latvia) by Bishop Albert

1219 - Capture of Tallinn (capital of modern day Estonia) by Denmark in the legendary battle of Lyndaniss

1236 - Defeat of a military order, the Sword Brothers, by a band of Lithuanians at the Battle of Saule

Listen to 76.3 Conquest of Livonia 1185-1238 from A History of Europe, Key Battles. Livonia in the 12th century was threatened by invasion from all sides; Danes, Swedes, Germans, Poles and Russians. Key events in the episode;1201 - Founding of Riga (capital of modern day Latvia) by Bishop Albert1219...

13/06/2025

Out now! Teutonic Knights - Origins & First Campaigns

The Teutonic Order was set up in the Holy Land as a German equivalent of other military orders. The first campaigns in Europe were in response to invitations from the King of Hungary and then a Duke of Poland. And so began their conquest of Prussia

Listen to 76.2 Teutonic Knights - Origins & First Campaigns from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The Teutonic Order was set up in the Holy Land as a German equivalent of other military orders. The first campaigns in Europe were in response to invitations from the King of Hungary and then a Duke of...

06/06/2025

The podcast will continue with new episodes shortly.

Whilst I am working on them, I am releasing a set of episodes previously only available to supporters on Patreon which cover the Northern Crusades of the early medieval period. These occurred in the region which now comprise Germany, Poland, the Baltic States, Scandinavia and Russia.

The first episode covers the geography and early history of the Baltic Sea. Also the beginnings of the Northern Crusades against the Baltic pagans. The first major campaign is the Wendish Crusade of 1147. I hope you enjoy!

Listen to 76.1 The Baltic Sea, Early History and Wendish Crusade from A History of Europe, Key Battles. The geography and early history of the Baltic Sea. Also the beginnings of the Northern Crusades against the Baltic pagans. The first major campaign is the Wendish Crusade of 1147

02/06/2025

A History of Europe BACK SOON!
The Interwar Years - between 1st and 2nd World Wars

29/05/2024

New episode out now!

A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney.

Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy Carter’s Chief Domestic Policy Adviser. Later he went on to become President Bill Clinton's Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. And he served as the United States Ambassador to the European Union from 1993 to 1996

Listen to 75.1 Interview with Stuart E Eizenstat from A History of Europe, Key Battles. A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney. Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy...