Posts Tagged ‘world war II’
The Nuremberg Trials: Justice for Humanity?
Did the Nurenberg Trials provide justice for humanity after the horrors of World War II? In order to address this question, Professor Philip Nash explains what happened during the trials, how well they adhered to international law, how the judgements and sentences were reached, and how well and fairly the trials were conducted. It’s far…
Read MoreThe Nuremberg Trials: Background and Build Up
Professor Philip Nash explains the extremely complicated background of the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-1946. We learn how difficult it was to set up these trials, in terms of international law, the establishment of new charges (such as “crimes against humanity”), and even the logistical difficulties in setting the trial in motion. Important legal, philosophical, and…
Read MoreHitler, the Nazis, and Gun Control
The intensifying pandemic of gun violence and murder in the U.S. has prompted the usual, tired, and entirely false reaction from gun fanatics — “the first thing Hitler did was take away everyone’s guns.” Well, did Hitler disarm the German citizenry as a way to make it easy to control them? Were Jews and other…
Read MoreAnna Marie Rosenberg – Woman Crush Wednesday!
Who Was “Seven Job” Anna? Anna Marie Rosenberg was one of the most important Americans of the 20th century. Yet she is not nearly as well-known as she should be. Christopher Gorham’s excellent biography of Rosenberg, “The Confidente,” is essential reading for Buzzkillers. He joins us to relate the fabulous story of her multiple careers…
Read MoreHalf American: African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad
Dr. Matthew Delmont explains the complicated and distressing history of African-American participation in World War II at home, and in the war theaters. Discrimination was rampant and inexcusable. African-Americans had to fight for the right to fight in the military. And war industry jobs were just as segregated (sometimes more so) than during peacetime. Episode…
Read More“It’s a Wonderful Life” Myths and Urban Legends: 2022 Encore!
Imagine being tortured by wartime memories. Explosions, death, mutilated bodies (some of them friends of yours), all the screaming. Now, imagine them coming from a very confined and dangerous place. I’ve always thought that being in a warplane or submarine would add the extra stress of being trapped, and not even being able to contemplate…
Read MoreChristmas: Commercialism, FDR, the Nazis, and Beyond! Encore!
Professor Philip Nash explains the complexities of the celebration and commercialism of Christmas — from the Roman holiday of Saturnalia to the Victorian era to the Nazi period and beyond! Listen to the best explanation of the history of modern Christmas that you’re gonna find this side of Bethlehem! Episode #397 — Buzzkill Bookshelf Gerry…
Read MoreOperation Torch: The Battle for Tunisia during World War II
Dr. Philip Nash tells us about the under-appreciated and little-understood battle for Tunisia during the North African campaign in World War II. Operation Torch was vital to the eventual Allied victory, but the reasons and explanations are complicated. These “peripheral” operations need more attention in history! Episode 478.
Read MoreRonald Reagan and Ann Sheridan for the Lead Parts in Casablanca?
Ronald Reagan was already a successful actor by the time Hal Wallis was getting around to producing Casablanca (which went on to become one of the most famous and best-loved movies of all time, Buzzkillers). And an early press release from Warner Brothers, the film’s studio, listed Reagan and Ann Sheridan in the lead roles. …
Read MoreUSS Indianapolis Anniversary Encore
July 30th is the anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis during World War II in the Pacific in 1945. One of our early shows was about the stories that have arisen from that now-famous event. Books have been written, there was a Hollywood movie about the Indianapolis in 2016, but most of know…
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