Empire of the Tsars: 300+ Years of Romanov Russia

This splendid three-part documentary from the BBC is best watched on a large screen to evoke a "you are there" feel for Russia during the "road to the 1917 revolution." Narrated by British historian Lucy Worsley, it's a three-hour survey of critical events in 300+ years of Russian history. That's inevitably an over-simplification but a …

Squanto’s Remarkable Story Before and After Befriending the Pilgrims

"Imagine being kidnapped and taken in chains across the ocean. Six years later when you finally make your way back home, you find that in the interim your civilization has been annihilated, your villages littered with skeletons. This is what befell a Wampanoag Indian known as Squanto or Tisquantum." Writer George Spencer tells the remarkable …

How Did the English Colonize America?

Knowledgia: "The history of the colonization of North America is one of the most well-known formations of any country across the globe. Spain, France, and Great Britain all played crucial roles in the development of what is now the influential United States of America. Motivated by economic reasons, and trying to expand their trade network …

What Was Life Like for the Pilgrims in England, the Netherlands, and Aboard the Mayflower?

Absolute History: "For many Americans, the journey of the Mayflower in 1620 symbolizes the birth of their nation. Led by William Bradford, the Pilgrim Fathers traversed the Atlantic to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in search of religious freedom. To this day, the Pilgrim Fathers are a glorified symbol of American virtue and Thanksgiving. In this film, we …

Gustavus Adolphus, Sweden’s Greatest King

Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), "also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632, and is credited for the rise of Sweden as a great European power." Wikipedia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwo_mQnyUug&t=53s The People Profiles

Black American History #2: Slavery in the Colonies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4syEkyOzmY&t=6s Crash Course: "In the 17th century, as the British colonies in the Americas were getting established in places like Jamestown, VA, the system of chattel slavery was also developing. Today, we'll learn about the role that slavery played in early American economy and how slavery became a legally accepted practice in the first place, …

Crash Course Black American History #1: The Nearly 400-year Transatlantic Slave Trade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72vvfBTQws&t=7s CrashCourse: "Today we're learning about the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which brought millions of captive Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries, with the largest number of people trafficked between 1700 and 1808. We'll look at the ships and crews that brought enslaved people across the ocean via what was known as …

‘Jamestown’ TV Series: Silly, Or Gripping Period Drama?

A friend recommends the PBS series "Jamestown" which ran from 2017 to 2019. "Life was tough in 1619, especially if you were a woman traded to be married. But that doesn't mean you can't fight back..." It is available from PBS and from numerous streaming services. It received mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. British and Irish …

Dramatic Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, As Illustrated In Six Videos

Historic Royal Palaces: "A handsome courtier, celebrated explorer, favourite of Elizabeth I and scholar of poetry, history and science, Sir Walter Raleigh was also one of the most famous prisoners to be held at the Tower of London. Yeoman Warder Gary Burridge tells us more…" Who was Sir Walter Raleigh and what did he had …

Were US Democracy’s Founding Ideals False, Or Just Unrealized for 190 Years?

The first sentence in the first essay in the NYTimes 1619 Project provoked particular controversy. "Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written. Black Americans have fought to make them true," wrote Nikole Hannah-Jones, a staff writer for the magazine. She's certainly entitled to her opinion, and the article is well-written and thoughtful. At age …