In this podcast Dr. Yangwen Zheng of the University of Manchester looks at the origins, theatre and consequences of the Opium Wars. Dr Yangwen Zheng's essential textbook Ten Lessons in Modern Chinese History is now available. Written for university entry-level students and A-level teachers and students, it uses primary sources to tell the story...

In this podcast Dr Federico Santangelo of the University of Newcastle looks at the origins of the Roman Republic, how was it structured and how did the Republic developed politically and culturally.

In this podcast Emeritus Professor William Doyle of the University of Bristol looks at the origins of the French Revolution.

In this podcast Professor June Hannam of the University of the West of England looks at the origins of the Victorian Women's Movement and how the movement developed in the 19th century

In this podcast Dr Rosie Kennedy of Goldsmiths College, University of London discusses the origins and significance of the Parliament Act of 1911, the historic confrontation between the House of Lords and the House of Commons and the emergence of a more democratic political system.

In this series of videos, produced by Royal Holloway, University of London, staff and students explore the Great Revolt of 1381, better known as the Peasants’ Revolt, through a combination of animations, dramatised primary sources, and short presenter-led videos. This includes videos looking at the causes of the revolt, its...

In this podcast Dr Beryl Williams looks at why the Provisional Government failed to establish liberalism in Russia between February and October 1917 and why it was the Bolsheviks that took power in October.

In this podcast Dr Steven Gunn of Merton College, Oxford, looks at the rise of Wolsey, his foreign and domestic policy, failure in the 1520s and loss of favour, Wolsey's Rivals and his divided responsibilities: Papal servant vs Kings man.

In this extensive podcast series, Dr Alex Goodall of UCL looks at the growth of the United States as an international power from the end of the American Civil War through to the early twentieth century. This was a critical period for understanding the United States rise to superpower status in the twentieth...

In this podcast Professor Stephenson looks at the rise of the Nazi Party: How important to Nazi support were the crises of 1923? How important was the Wall Street Crash to the Nazi seizure of power in 1933? To what extent was the Nazi seizure of power a legal revolution?

Professor June Hannam of the University of the West of England looks at the key forces that led to women acheiving the vote in the early 20th century.

In this podcast Dr Laura Stewart of Birkbeck, University of London looks at the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England and the impact this Union had across Britain and Ireland.

In this podcast Professor Michael Hicks of the University of Winchester looks at the origins, the development and the conclusion of the Wars of the Roses.

In this podcast Professor Michael Braddick of the University of Sheffield looks at why it proved impossible to achieve a negotiated settletment between 1646 and 1649.

In this podcast Dr Michael Everett examines the life and career of Thomas Cromwell.

In this podcast Professor Sean Connolly of Queen's University Belfast examines the Tudor monarchy in Ireland.

In this podcast Dr Sue Doran of Christ Church College, Oxford, looks at the changing nature of royal authority under the Tudors, the impact of the Reformation and the development of a print culture, propaganda, the influence of gender, the extent to which faction undermined royal authority and faction under...

In this podcast Professor Keith Laybourn of the University of Huddersfield looks at the period 1945-64. What were the key forces that led to the welfare state and the post war consensuses? To what extent did this consensus transform the lives of British people?

In this podcast Professor June Hannam of the University of the West of England looks at the key forces that led to women achiving the vote in the early 20th century.

This month at the Virtual Branch, renowned medieval historian David Carpenter will delve into the enduring legacy of Magna Carta. Drawing on his recent work uncovering and authenticating a Magna Carta document in the United States, Carpenter will explore why both the dating and the content of this foundational charter...