Episodes
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Episode 210 – 1900-Present: Globalization
This final episode discusses how the world experiences radical technological changes, especially in the way we communicate and consume information, every few years with effects that are constantly being understood bit by bit. We, as a global community, rely on both raw materials and finished...
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Episode 209 – 1945-1991: The Cold War and Decolonization
This episode explains how by 1991, nations throughout Europe and Asia were rebuilt along very different lines of democratic capitalism or authoritarian communism. These ideologies created material advances to varying degrees of success. However, communism has done so at the cost of countless…
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Episode 208 – 1900-1945: Conflict and the Early 20th Century
In this episode you will learn how by 1945, European nation-states are left devastated after the First and Second World Wars, no longer able to maintain control over their far-flung empires, and relying on foreign support to help them rebuild. Political extremism has led to the approximate deaths...
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Episode 207 – 1750-1900: Imperialism
This episode will discuss how by 1900, China had been divided into Spheres of Influence after agreeing to several so-called “unequal treaties” with several European countries, the United States, and Japan. By that time, they were halfway through what they called their “century of humiliation.”...
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Episode 206 – 1750-1900: Industrialization
This episode will help you understand that by 1900, some of the most dramatic transformations in human history have taken place that still largely shape our modern world. The environment no longer places limits on societal potential the way it used to. Cities are popping up throughout the Western...
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Episode 205 – 1750-1900: Revolutions and Repercussions
In this episode, we’ll come to understand that by 1900, the Americas had become almost entirely independent of European rule. The rights of individuals are now protected by states (though not necessarily for women or people of color). Absolute monarchy has largely ended and some rulers have been...
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Episode 204 – 1450-1750: Cultural Expansion and Realignment
We’ll close out our study of this era by learning how an entirely new sect of Christianity, Protestantism, had emerged and was now competing with Roman Catholicism for influence in European state affairs. Meanwhile, the emerging Scientific Revolution was calling preconceived beliefs about the...
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Episode 203 – 1450-1750: Economics of the Early Modern World
In this episode you’ll find out how by 1750, Europeans will effectively have control over the Indian Ocean, and the newly established Atlantic, and Pacific routes of exchange that had not existed when our studies of this unit began in 1450. Their economic practices will have tremendously negative...
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Episode 202 – 1450-1750: Empires of the Early Modern World
This episode will shed light on how by about 1750, European empires spread across a large part of the Americas, the Aztec and Inca empires were no more, the Ottomans had reached and were now moving past their high point, Russia was expanding eastward, India had been unified, and China was…
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Episode 201 – 1200-1450: Finding Threads, Weaving Webs
World History Class with Mr. Lutz officially returns! This episode is intended to provide a narrative of how we can understand developments in world history from about 1200 to 1450. In particular, for students of AP World History, think of this as a combined story of what happens in Unit 1 and…
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Episode 200 – Introduction and Sourcing the Podcast
The Setting: The year was 2019 and I had just wrapped up writing and developing a 33 episode series that summarized all that my students learned in their AP World History class readings that year, covering a total of approximately 10,000 years of history and took up over 15 hours of total…
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Episode 33 – Globalization
Our final episode is going to focus on the end of the Cold War and the process of globalization that followed. Aside from the emergence of a globalized economy and culture we’ll also discuss the issues the world has faced since the 1990s and some of the tragedies and triumphs that have emerged…
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Episode 32 – Decolonization
Today we take a look at what is known as Decolonization, meaning the end of empire all throughout the world. This episode is going to jump around throughout several different nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America but always keep a tight focus on the Key Concepts. It would be a good idea to...
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Episode 31 – World War II and the Cold War
It’s hard to believe that I put these two topics together, but here we are! We’ll dive into the causes and consequences of the most horrifying conflict and human history by studying the Second World War. This devastating event bleeds right into the rumblings of the Cold War, where the US and…
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Episode 30 – The Interwar Years
The First World War turned much of the world upside down. This episode will look at the global fallout that lingered in the decades after the Great War. If you’re searching for an uplifting podcast episode, it might be wise to turn somewhere else! Document in Focus: Imperialism by Diego Rivera...
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Episode 29 – World War I
The podcast to end all podcasts on the War to end all wars. Tune in to find out why both of these are a lie! Complicating the Narrative The Wilsonian Moment by Erez Manela https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-wilsonian-moment-9780195176155?cc=us&lang=en& Document in Focus Source: Lutiant…
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Episode 28 – The Ottomans, China, Japan, and Russia and Confront Modern Era
This is the last episode in our unit studying 1750-1900 of World History Class with Mr. Lutz where we’ll tackle the Ottomans, Chinese, Japanese, and Russians as they adjust to the shifting trends of the modern era. Industrialization and imperialism has been the trend of the last two episodes and...
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Episode 27 – The Age of Imperialism
So, haven’t we seen imperialism all year long in this class and now we are calling a particular chapter of study “imperialism?” What has changed? Why is this a thing? It is because we are no longer talking purely of domination solely through a military means. Imperialism takes the military form...
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Episode 26 – The Industrial Revolution
In today’s episode we tackle the Industrial Revolution. So up until this point in time in our class we have seen different areas of the world that possessed a successful economy. The prerequisites for these developed economies were a significant agricultural surplus that resulted in a highly...
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Episode 25 – The Age of Revolutions
Fight for your rights, just without the Beastie Boys (sadly), in this episode. We’ll learn about the ideas of the Enlightenment first before diving into revolutions in the United States, France, Haiti, and throughout Latin America. We’ll also see the new ideologies and nationalistic passions that...
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Episode 24 – East Asia and the Early Modern World
This episode looks at Asia (particularly East Asia) and its interactions with the Early Modern World. I think this episode is best defined by change and continuity, so pay attention to those themes as you listen in on this one. The Qianlong Emperor as Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom Image...
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Episode 23 – Early Modern Islamic Empires
Today we will tackle the Empires of the Ottomans, Safavids, and the Mughals by comparing how they were formed, what their societies looked like, and what led to their decline or demise. Audrey Truschke’s article on Aurangzeb...
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Episode 22 – Africa and the Atlantic World
Today we’ll explore Africa during the era of transoceanic interconnections and especially its connections to the Atlantic World. We will glance at the different regions of Africa seeing what is happening with them during this era but then take a particular interest in what is going on with West...
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Episode 21 – Integration of the Americas
Here we’ll narrow our focus to the Spanish and Portuguese conquest, administration, and reform of Latin American government and society at large. I’d like to re-establish our setting by placing this portion of history and its focus into the broader historical context for two reasons. First of…
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Episode 20 – Early Modern Russia
This episode focuses on some of the most important czars of Russia’s early modern era. We’ll chat about Ivan the Great, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, and Catherine the Great. By the way, don’t get caught up on those “Great” or “Terrible” titles because each were great and terrible in their...
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Episode 19 – The Transformation of Western Europe
Here’s a whirlwind tour of Western Europe from approximately 1450-1750 where we focus on the major political, economic, cultural, and social developments of the era. There are some major developments in Europe during this time that will impact world history for a long time to come, some...
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Episode 18 – Transoceanic Connections
We’ll finally connect all of the world together by bringing the Americas fully into our global view. This episode will tackle the motives, technologies, and actions taken by Western European nations to begin exploring the world’s oceans. We’ll also look at the new economic practicies and theories...
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Episode 17 – Expanding Global Contacts
This episode the transition to a world increasingly shaped by European actions by discussing the major shift about to take place where we see Western Europe begin to grow its power throughout the world. However, it must be understood that this development was not destined to happen; rather, it…
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Episode 16 – The Mongols
Enter the largest land empire in all of world history in this episode on the Mongols. Learn how they came to be unified, how they split apart, how they challenge our understanding of what truly defines a civilization, and evaluate just how notorious the khans really were! BBC History Extra…
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Episode 15 – The Sinification of Japan, Korea, and China
China’s influence stretches far and beyond the Middle Kingdom during the post-classical era! We’ll discuss how much of Chinese culture really penetrated into the societies of their neighbors in this episode. Angkor Wat Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gskysDR7BYw Thesis: Although Japanese…
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Episode 14 – The Golden Age of China
China hits its cultural high point on this episode! You’ll learn about the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties as China returns to centralization after the Era of the Warring States. Confucianism makes a reappearance as Neo-Confucianism, trade thrives, culture flourishes, and China retains its crown as…
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Episode 13 – The Pre-Columbian Americas
We’ll be checking out the Aztecs and the Incas primarily in today’s episode, making as many comparisons between the two groups as we can while also tracing the roots of their histories in Central America and South America, respectively. I made a good bit of recommendations (in between my…
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Episode 12 – Europe during the “Middle Ages”
This episode tackles the notion that this time period should be defined by as simplistic a term as “Middle.” We’ll discuss the political, economic, environmental, and cultural changes and continuities (see what I did there?!) during this period. Here’s the video I rambled about!...
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Episode 11 – The Byzantine Empire
Today we talk Justinian, Byzantine foreign relations, political features, culture, differences in religion with western Europe, and the spread of Byzantine influences throughout eastern Europe. We even throw some love to the famous Nika Riots and give Theodora (some of) the credit she is due!…
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Episode 10 – Post-Classical Africa
Digging into the worlds of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai then moving on to the Swahili Coast! We’ll be looking at the spread of Islam throughout these two regions, interactions between cultures at these two points of contact, goods exchanged, as well as some of the technology and natural process…
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Episode 9 – Islam is Growing and Growing and…
Another one in the books! This time I focus on the decline of the Abbasids, the spread of Islam to South and Southeast Asia, the cultural and technological transfers brought on as a result of Islam, and the declining status of women in the caliphate. Article from “The Explainer”...
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Episode 8 – The Rise and Spread of Islam
Tackling the foundations, some social characteristics, and the very basics of the Umayyads and Abbasids. Be sure to check out my recommendation in this episode for lots more info about Islam! The podcast is now available on iTunes AND Stitcher! Links below. iTunes:...
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Episode 7 – Classical World Overview
Wrapping up Period 2! Let’s do this! The Silk Roads: A New History of the World https://www.amazon.com/Silk-Roads-New-History-World/dp/1101912375 AP World History reviews from Think Fiveable (formerly High Level History)...
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Episode 6 – Classical Greece and Rome
How did I manage to fit all of Greece and Rome’s history into an episode just over 30 minutes long. I didn’t, not even close. However, I gave it a shot and here it is. Lots more to say about trade and the role of religion, but this episode tries to establish broad historical patterns … Continue...
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Episode 5 – Classical India
This episode tackles some of the historical foundations and beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism while also addressing some of the political foundations of the Maurya and Gupta Empires. Stay tuned for today’s version of “The Explainer” to learn about the delicious pasta dish known as Cacio e Pepe....
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Episode 4 – The Unification of China
In this episode I cover the beliefs and values of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. You’ll also get the gist of the Qin and Han Dynasties! Get ready for the hit song of the summer, coming towards the end of the episode… “A Revolutionary Discovery in China” from The New York Review of Books...
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Episode 3 – Early Civilizations
Thanks to all those who have listened. Please feel free to leave any feedback. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1418821133 Donate to the Podcast!...
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Episode 2 – Before History
I finally got over my recording anxiety and laid down the track! It’s safe to say I’m pleased with this as my first go-round. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts because this is ultimately for students. I hope you find this to be useful! Take care, everyone. – Mr. Lutz Podcast music: …...
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Episode 1 – Intro to the Pod
Here it is! The first episode has arrived. In the five minutes or so of my chatting I explain the rationale behind developing this podcast and the different segments I plan on including for each episode. Nothing content related yet, this is just to set up the basics! Those listeners who are not…
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About this show
A podcast for students of AP World History