Ancient to Recent

As a child he saw his uncles empire collapse, as a young man he was consumed by dreams of glory and as an adult he turned those dreams into reality.
This is the story of Louis Napoleon, the last Emperor of France.
A story of intrigue and delusion, of ambition and deceit of honour and shame as a man with nothing but his name rises to an imperial throne.
In this episode Joseph Parkinson is joined by renowned historian Edward Shawcross, author of The People's Emperor, the Unlikely Rise and Spectacular Fall of Louis Napoleon.
We discover how he seizes power, tried to heal Frances social ills and restore France as the premier nation of Europe.
How Louis Napoleon embarks on an ambitious program of social change at home, transforming Paris into one of the world capitals.
And also how he embarked on reckless adventures in Mexico and Italy that brought disaster for France.
How, against all the odds he made and lost an Empire.
Episodes of Ancient to Recent are out every Saturday and are available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcast.
#france #louisnapoleon #history #prussia #frenchhistory

With peace comes a new policy direction from Washington.

President Grant wants to find a new approach to dealing with the native peoples of the West but ambition, greed and dreams of empire drive the United States and the Lakota onto a collision course as promises are broken and different visions of the West Clash.

Imperial arrogance leads George Armstrong Custer onto the battlefield of the Little Bighorn with devastating effects for the 7th Cavalry but military victory for the Lakota cannot stop the advance of a new kind of state. 

Join Joseph Parkinson as we explore the world of the Lakota between the late 1860s and the 1870’s as an empire is humbled and a new West born. 

New episodes of Ancient to Recent are available every Saturday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts 

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#Lakota #Sioux #AmericanHistory #USHistory

As the United States descends into civil war the Lakota continue their expansion.

But troubling news is brought west by the Lakota’s Sioux cousins the Dakota. 

The United States government signs treaties forcing the Dakota to give much of their land away in return for a reservation but as more settlements come more demands follow.

The Dakota rebel and Washington settles on a policy of military force.

The Dakota seek refuge with their Sioux cousins the Lakota which draws United States forces further west.

Join Joseph Parkinson as we explore the world of the Lakota between 1861 and the late 1860’s as personal ambition, greed and ideology drive the United States and Lakota on a collision course that has unexpected consequences.

New episodes of Ancient to Recent are available every Saturday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts 

Follow @ancienttorecent

#Lakota #Sioux #AmericanHistory #USHistory

In the middle years of the 19th century the Lakota reach ever greater heights of power.

They command a vast domain teaming with bison and they project their military might in all direction carried on the back of their powerful war horses.

But North America is a land of constant change.

The European empires may be a thing of the past but the United States continues its western expansion.

War with Mexico and the scandalous Treaty of Guadalupe adds vast tracks of land to the American domain.

Discovery of gold brings Americans rushing west causing tension with the Lakota to rise and the United States struggles to grapple with the issue of slavery.

Join Joseph Parkinson as we explore the world of the Lakota between 1816 and 1861 as treaties are broken, hardline new leaders like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull emerge and the Lakota struggle to hold their world together under constant American pressure.

New episodes of Ancient to Recent are available every Saturday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts 

Follow @ancienttorecent

#Lakota #Sioux #AmericanHistory #USHistory

Napoleon has a dream of the restoration of French imperial power in the Americas.

But his dream is dashed by the collapse of French power in Haiti and France sells Louisiana to the US for pennies.

The United States believes it has acquired an empire but soon finds out that the land was not for sale. 

The Lakota are enjoying their moment in the imperial sun, dominating trade networks as the US begins exploring and asserting control over Louisiana and war breaks out between Britain and the United States that will have a profound impact on the future of North America and the Lakota.

The European rivalries for American domination come to an end as the United States and the Lakota are set on a collision course.

Join Joseph Parkinson as we explore the world of the Lakota between 1800 and 1815

New episodes of Ancient to Recent are available every Saturday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts 

Follow @ancienttorecent

#Lakota #Sioux #AmericanHistory #USHistory